WHAT IS A PORTERHOUSE STEAK?
The Porterhouse steak is cut from the short loin section of cattle. On one side of the bone, you’ll find a melt-in-your-mouth Filet, arguably the most tender of all high-end cuts of beef. On the other side, a firm, flavor-filled New York Strip – our founder’s favorite. The two combine to make this hearty bone-in cut a steak house legend.
HISTORY OF THE PORTERHOUSE STEAK
COOKING A PORTERHOUSE STEAK TO PERFECTION
Nothing is more enjoyable than a high-quality Porterhouse steak that’s been expertly aged and cooked to perfection. The end goal? A medium rare steak on either side of the bone. It’s a work of art. Mastering that art? Let’s just say that’s one of the ways our 1800° broilers set our Porterhouse steaks apart.
Cooking a Porterhouse to perfection at home calls for two things: a lot of power and a lot of heat. A grill can reach high temperatures, but the broiler is better suited for the Porterhouse. Remember that you can always cook a steak longer if it’s on the rare side at first, but you don’t want to ruin this premium cut by overcooking it.
Factor in, too, that steak will continue to cook for a few minutes once it’s rested. For a larger cut, that can mean your final temperature is as much as 10-15° higher than when it was taken out of the oven, if properly rested.
The other main distinction is size. The tomahawk is cut according to the thickness of the rib bone, and is generally about 2 inches thick, while typically weighing between 30 and 45 ounces.
BEST WINE PAIRINGS FOR PORTERHOUSE STEAK
With a Porterhouse steak, a full-flavored, higher tannin type of wine – think Cabernet Sauvignon, Bordeaux or Barolo – are the most traditional wine pairings. The tannins in these fuller bodied wines complement the high protein content in the meat, each softening the flavors of the other on the palate.
A California red blend is also a fresh wine pairing for Porterhouse. Malbec also continues to grow in popularity, and along with Syrah or a nice Zinfandel, are less traditional yet wonderfully satisfying wine pairings, depending on your preference.