A close-up of a hand cutting into a perfectly cooked steak on a wooden board with a knife that has "made-in" on the blade.

How to Cut Against the Grain

This quick and easy technique takes meat to the next level.

By Elle WignallSep 30, 2022
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No matter how well you cook a steak, or any other cut of meat for that matter, the final step between pan and plate does a lot to contribute to the overall tenderness. This is why cutting your meat against the grain is so important.

Cutting against the grain is a simple but necessary step that shortens the muscle fibers of the meat, meaning your teeth donโ€™t have to do that tough work. By just knowing how to identify the grain of any cut of meat, you can incorporate this technique into your cooking for tender, delicious cuts of meat every time.

What Isย  โ€œthe Grainโ€?

In the kitchen, โ€œgrainโ€ usually refers to ingredients like oats, barley, and wheat.ย  When talking about meat however, the grain refers to the direction the muscle fibers run across the surface of the cut. All meat has these fibers, which grow tough and firm throughout an animalโ€™s life as they support its weight.

When meat is butchered, these fibrous strands become visible. Depending on the cut of meat youโ€™re working with, the grain may be quite easy to spot or a little trickier. Tough cuts, like flank steak, hanger steak, and brisket, have more prominent grain lines than lean cuts like filet mignon and tenderloins.

Why Do I Need to Cut Against the Grain?

Simply put, cutting against the grain, or perpendicular to the muscle fibers, shortens the tough strands for a more tender bite. Not only does this make chewing easier, it helps to keep those flavorful juices in the meat rather than on the cutting board. If you havenโ€™t already been cutting your meat this way, youโ€™ll notice a marked improvement in texture and a better eating experience all around.

How to Slice Against the Grain

Once youโ€™ve learned to spot the grain in a cut of meat, youโ€™ll be able to utilize these simple steps to take dinner to the next level.After your meat has rested and itโ€™s time to plate, useย  a clean, sharp Knife to get startedโ€”we recommend a Chef Knife, carving knife, or steak knives. Hereโ€™s how you get the best results.

Step 1: Find the โ€œGrainโ€

Place your cooked steak or other meat on a cutting board and look for the long striations that run all the way across the cut. If youโ€™re having a difficult time identifying the muscle strands, gently tug the meat like youโ€™re stretching a rubber bandโ€”the striations should pull apart enough to spot the pattern.

Step 2: Make Perpendicular Cuts

Using your sharpened Knife, cut equal-sized strips of meat perpendicular to the grain. Another visual cue you can spot to make sure youโ€™re slicing in the right direction is the look of the inside of the meat once youโ€™ve sliced it open: the muscle fibers should look bunched, like a bundle of pencils or sticks viewed from one end. If you cut with the grain, the inner meat strands will appear long and stringy.ย 

Ready to Cook?

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Cutting against the grain is one of the easiest techniques for an improved mealtime, whether youโ€™re reverse searing a New York strip or incorporating last nightโ€™s brisket into todayโ€™s macaroni and cheese. The right knife will produce juicy, tender cuts every time, saving your jaw from all that trouble.

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