Have you ever heard about baseball steak or baseball top sirloin?
Actually, it is steak cut coming from the primal loin of the cow and almost feels like a filet mignon but has an even more bold flavor and will probably save you some money as it tends to be cheaper.
We have prepared an article with everything you need to know about this cut: Why it is called baseball steak, Where is it located? What is the best way to cook it, etc.
Why is it Called Baseball Steak?
Raw Top Sirloin Cut
The baseball cut gets its name from its rounded shape. This steak comes from the center of the top sirloin and is a lean, thick and flavorful cut, very similar to the filet mignon, but with a more affordable price.
Actually, the correct name of a baseball steak is Top Sirloin Filet, but it is widely known with several other names, depending on the country or cuisine.
Some of the names that it is known as are: Top Sirloin Filet, Top Sirloin Steak, Top Sirloin Filet Boneless, Top Sirloin Butt Steak, and Boneless Top Sirloin Butt Steak.
But why it is called Baseball Steak? When you take a look at this top sirloin filet, you will notice exactly why a lot of people call it baseball steak. The cut resembles the filet mignon steak because it tends to be in a round shape and thick, usually around two inches or more. But, the baseball steak tends to poof out a little bit at the top and on the sides, making it form a shape similar to baseball. After you cook it, a little bit more puff happens.
The baseball steak cut is usually a little bit smaller when compared to a normal top sirloin as it is cut from the upper portion of the loin. Still, this small cut has a lot more flavor than most other cuts, especially if you know how to cook it to maintain its incredible texture properly.
Where Does the Baseball Cut Steak Come from?
Sirloin Primal Location on Cow
The baseball cut steak comes from the sirloin primal of the cow, located between the loin and the round primal.
The sirloin primal is home to a lot of popular cuts and is divided into two main sections: The top Sirloin Butt and the Bottom Sirloin Butt.
In the top sirloin butt, you can find steaks which are great for grilling and high-temperature cooking while the bottom sirloin butt hosts cuts like Tri-Tip and Sirloin Bavette, which are good for roasting or grilling.
How to Choose the Best Cut of Baseball Top Sirloin?
If you are planning on picking a baseball top sirloin steak from your local supermarket, here are a few tips to have in mind for you to pick the best cut:
3 Different Ways on Cooking a Baseball Steak
When it comes to cooking a baseball top sirloin steak, there are 3 different ways you can try:
We prefer to use a grill when cooking this type of steak but you can choose to use any of the upper-mentioned methods.
How to Cook Top Sirloin Steak in the Oven
Cooking this type of steak is very similar to cooking other cuts, such as tri-tip or filet mignon.
When using the oven, you can choose to season or not the meat before cooking. I recommend you to use a simple seasoning as this cut is already full of flavor, but if you want to try something new, then it depends on you.
1) After you season it, give it a good sear in some butter or olive oil using a skillet for around 2-3 minutes per side and then transfer it to a baking dish, ready to put it into the oven.
2) Preheat the oven to 450°F and after it reaches the temperature, put the baking dish and the steak inside.
3) Cooking it over high temperature will allow the meat to cook quickly, especially on the outside, without allowing the juices to escape or dry out. Usually, it will need around 8-10 minutes in total or around 4-5 minutes per side for this steak to cook in the oven. (Read the next section of this article for full temperature tables)
4) After you remove it from the oven, allow it to rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. This will allow the juices to settle in and become more tender.
Note: It is always recommended to use a meat thermometer when cooking such steak as you can know for sure when it has reached the 120-125°F internal temperature, which is the medium-rare doneness level and the recommended cooking point.
How to Cook Baseball Steak on the Grill
If you don’t like cooking in the oven, you can try cooking on the grill.
Using the grill for the top sirloin cut is actually better as you will end up with better results if you follow the correct cooking times and temperatures.
1) First, turn on the grill and heat it to a medium-high setting. While you wait for the grill to heat, you can season the meat and brush some melted butter on it.
2) Then, take the meat and sear it for 2-3 minutes on each side over the hottest part of the grill.
3) After that, move it to a lower heat side and close the lid, allowing the meat to continue cooking for another 6-10 minutes, depending on your preference.
Even when using the grill, it is recommended to use a meat thermometer to monitor the meat’s internal temperature, so it is perfectly cooked.
Cooking Baseball Steak on a Broiler
Just like on the oven or the grill, when using the broiler, you should follow the same steps:
1) Start by preheating the broiler to high setting.
2) Lightly brush the steaks with butter or olive oil and season it with salt and pepper.
3) Broil them 4-6 minutes on each side for a medium-rare doneness level.
Image Credits: MenuInProgress
After you remove it from the broiler, allow it 5 minutes to rest before serving.
Baseball Top Sirloin Steak Cooking Times & Temperatures
The temperatures and cooking times showed below are for sirloin strip, ribeye & porterhouse steaks.
Thickness | Rare (110° to 120°F) | Medium-Rare (120° to 130°F) | Medium (130° to 140°F) |
|---|---|---|---|
1" | 4 Mins Each Side | 5 Mins Each Side | 6 Mins Each Side |
1.25" | 4.5 Mins Each Side | 5.5 Mins Each Side | 6.5 Mins Each Side |
1.5" | 5 Mins Each Side | 6 Mins Each Side | 7 Mins Each Side |
1.75" | 5.5 Mins Each Side | 6.5 Mins Each Side | 7.5 Mins Each Side |
2" | 6 Mins Each Side | 7 Mins Each Side | 8 Mins Each Side |
- Also Read: Full Steak Doneness Charts & Cooking Times
Grilling Tips for Baseball Steak
If grilling is your preferred cooking method, here are a couple of tips to have in mind:
