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July 26, 2026Sources cited
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T-bone steak

A T-bone steak is a beef steak cut from the short loin and characterized by a T-shaped bone with meat on both sides.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

A T-bone steak is a beef steak cut from the short loin and characterized by a T-shaped bone with meat on both sides. It typically contains a strip steak on one side of the bone and a smaller portion of tenderloin on the other, offering a combination of flavour and tenderness. This cut is closely related to, and often compared with, the porterhouse steak.

Description

A T-bone steak is a cross-section of the short loin that contains two different muscles separated by a T-shaped bone. The cut offers both the beefier flavour of the strip steak and the tenderness of the tenderloin.

Relation to porterhouse

T-bone and porterhouse steaks come from the same general section of beef and are often distinguished by the size of the tenderloin portion. The porterhouse usually has a larger tenderloin section, while the T-bone has a smaller one.

Cooking

T-bone steaks are typically cooked using dry-heat methods such as grilling, broiling, or pan-searing. Because the steak includes two different cuts with different textures, it is often cooked carefully to avoid overcooking the tenderloin.

Culinary use

The T-bone is a well-known steakhouse cut in American cuisine and is often served as a single large portion. Its mix of flavour and tenderness has made it a popular choice for steak lovers.

Key facts

  • A T-bone steak is cut from the short loin of beef.
  • Its defining feature is the T-shaped vertebra-like bone running through the centre.
  • It includes meat from both the strip steak and tenderloin sections.
  • The tenderloin portion is smaller than in a porterhouse steak.
  • It is considered a premium steak cut and is commonly cooked by high-heat methods.
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Canadian context

T-bone steak is commonly sold and served in Canadian butcher shops, grocery stores, and steakhouses, and the cut is understood in Canadian English alongside the related term sirloin for the short-loin section.

Frequently asked questions

What is a T-bone steak?
A beef steak cut from the short loin with a T-shaped bone dividing strip steak and tenderloin.
Why is it called a T-bone?
Because the bone in the centre of the steak is shaped like the letter T.
What two cuts are in a T-bone steak?
A strip steak on one side and a smaller tenderloin portion on the other.
How is a T-bone different from a porterhouse?
Both are similar, but a porterhouse has a larger tenderloin section.
How is T-bone steak usually cooked?
It is commonly grilled, broiled, or pan-seared over high heat.

References

  1. Wikipediahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/T-bone_steak
    Supports: Short-loin cut; relation to porterhouse; strip and tenderloin on either side of a T-shaped bone.
  2. Dictionary.comhttps://www.dictionary.com/browse/t-bone-steak
    Supports: Definition as a beef cut with a conspicuous T-shaped bone from the short loin.
  3. Cambridge Dictionaryhttps://dictionary.cambridge.org/us/dictionary/english/t-bone-steak
    Supports: Definition as thickly cut beef with a T-shaped bone.
  4. Omaha Steakshttps://www.omahasteaks.com/blog/what-is-a-t-bone/
    Supports: Describes the steak as two steaks in one: strip and filet/tenderloin separated by a T-shaped bone.
  5. Certified Angus Beefhttps://www.certifiedangusbeef.com/en/cooking/cuts/T-bone
    Supports: T-bone consists of strip and tenderloin connected by a T-shaped bone; tenderloin width guidance.