Beef Bruschetta with Roasted Garlic-Feta Spread

Top 5 Value Beef Cuts That Are Perfect for Grilling

Adam Wegner - Nebraska Beef Council | April 15, 2025

Tri Tip Roast

FY22 Summer Grilling

Top Sirloin Steak

Beef Sirloin Kabobs with Roasted Red Pepper Dipping Sauce

Flank Steak

Wine-Marinated Grilled Flank Steak

Short Ribs

Plated food photography

Flat Iron

Pan-Seared Flat Iron Steak with Romesco Sauce

Delicious doesn’t have to be expensive. As grilling season heats up, it’s time to fire up the barbecue without burning through your wallet. While premium steaks like ribeyes and filets get a lot of attention, several value beef cuts deliver bold flavor and satisfying tenderness—at a fraction of the cost. Here are five budget-friendly cuts that deserve a spot on your grill this season. 


1. Tri-Tip Roast
Flavor-packed, affordable, and grill-ready. Cut from the bottom sirloin, the Tri-Tip is a lean roast with rich, beefy flavor and just enough marbling to keep it juicy. It's often overlooked, but when grilled and sliced against the grain, it's tender, flavorful, and feeds a crowd—making it a top-tier option for backyard cookouts.
Compare to: Ribeye in flavor, but more economical.
Pro Tip: Sear on high heat, then finish over indirect heat until medium-rare. 

2. Top Sirloin Steak
Lean, versatile, and steakhouse-worthy. Top Sirloin is the ultimate utility steak—great for kabobs, steak sandwiches, or enjoyed solo. While it doesn’t have the same marbling as pricier cuts, it brings a bold, beefy punch.
Compare to: New York Strip—similar size and shape, just a little leaner.
Pro Tip: Marinade helps tenderize and amplify flavor. Don’t overcook past medium. 

3. Flank Steak
Big flavor, smaller price tag. This long, lean cut is known for its deep beefy flavor and adaptability. It’s best marinated and grilled hot and fast—perfect for fajitas, steak salads, or tacos.
Compare to: Skirt steak or hanger steak, but often more available and affordable.
Pro Tip: Always slice against the grain to keep each bite tender.

4. Beef Short Ribs
Hearty, rich, and perfect for slow grilling. These bone-in beauties are best grilled low and slow to break down their connective tissue, resulting in fall-apart tender beef with incredible depth of flavor. Great for BBQ purists.
Compare to: Prime Rib in richness—just requires a little patience.
Pro Tip: Grill over indirect heat or smoke for hours until fork-tender. 

5. Flat Iron Steak
The hidden gem of the shoulder. Often called the “butcher’s cut,” the Flat Iron is incredibly tender and second only to tenderloin in tenderness. It’s well-marbled and grills beautifully over medium-high heat.
Compare to: Filet Mignon in tenderness, but more budget-friendly.
Pro Tip: Salt and pepper is all you need—don’t overcomplicate perfection. 

These top five value beef cuts prove that grilling excellence doesn’t require splurging. With the right prep and technique, these cuts offer unbeatable flavor and satisfaction while stretching your beef budget. Learn more at www.BeefItsWhatsForDinner.com.


####   

The Nebraska Beef Council is a non-profit organization served by a nine-member board of directors. The volunteers oversee the beef checkoff in Nebraska and checkoff-funded programs. Programs for marketing and promotion are funded by the $1/head beef checkoff.