How to Pick Your Steak in a Cal Deficit
If youâre chasing high-protein steak cuts that actually taste good and wonât crush your macros, hereâs the play: If youâre in a calorie deficit and trying to stay lean while still getting your steak fix, hereâs the list of steak broken down by fat content per 100g (cooked). I eat steak daily, but I donât always go for the fatty cuts, especially while in a deficit trying to lean out. Steak Cuts Ranked by Leanness (Fat Content) 1. Eye of Round Fat: ~4g Protein: ~30g Super lean. A little tougher, so go slow-cooked or sous vide. Budget cut for high-protein days. 2. Top Round Fat: ~5g Protein: ~29g Great for meal prep. Roast it, slice it thin. Just donât dry it out. 3. Top Sirloin Fat: ~6g Protein: ~31g All-around solid. Great flavor, not too fatty. Easy to cook and hit your macros. 4. Flank Steak Fat: ~8g Protein: ~28g More flavor, but you pay for it in fat. Still a clean choice with a good marinade. 5. Filet Mignon (Tenderloin) Fat: ~9g Protein: ~28g Leaner than it tastes. Pricey, but a solid âdate night cutâ that wonât wreck your deficit. 6. Skirt Steak Fat: ~12g Protein: ~27g One of the most flavorful. Not terrible, but portion it right. Best on higher-fat days. 7. New York Strip Fat: ~14g Protein: ~27g Great taste, but a little heavier on the fat. Clean it up by trimming the outer edge. Quick Cooking Tips for the Cut Phase - Skip butterâuse avocado oil spray or olive oil with restraint. - Grill, broil, or cast ironâkeep it hot and fast. - Let it restâkeep the juice in, keep the flavor. - Weigh it cookedâdonât guess, track it. When youâre cutting, fat adds up fast. Stick to the 4â6g range when you can. Rotate in the higher-fat cuts sparingly. Let the steak work for your goals, not against them.