A delicious, well-marinated, and juicy steak is hard to resist. If your sole purpose is to have it for its nutrients, you may want to know how much protein in a pound of steak.
On average, a steak has 80 to 100 grams of protein. However, the correct protein content depends on the meat cut and fat value. For instance, cuts like tenderloin and sirloin have more protein than the fattier options like T-bone.
Still confused? Dig in to find a detailed answer with a delicious steak recipe as a bonus.
Why Does Having a Protein-rich Steak Matter?
Whether you have fitness goals to achieve or simply want to shed some weight, having the right amount of protein content in your diet is crucial.
A juicy and well-cooked steak will definitely leave you satisfied from the very first bite, but its nutritional value will keep you happy for a long time. This is why it is imperative to have protein-rich food (or specifically steak) in your diet to reap some great benefits.
Here are a few benefits of steak that you should know.
Protein-rich Foods Help Reduce Hunger Levels and Appetite
As per studies, proteins are one of the most filling macronutrients. Even with less food, you feel full. That's because protein helps reduce the levels of your hunger hormone, famously known as ghrelin.
Moreover, a good amount of protein in your food boosts the levels of peptide YY to make you feel full for a long time.
Proteins Help Increase Your Muscle Mass
A good quantity of proteins in your food helps promote muscle growth and also maintain your overall muscle mass. In fact, there are numerous studies that back this theory. If you are into regular weightlifting or generally active, you need proteins to maintain your body shape and its energy levels.
This Nutrient is Good for Your Bones
Your bones will thank you for all the protein-rich food you will add in your body. As per studies, animal protein helps maintain bone mass, reducing the risks of fractures and osteoporosis. This benefit works great for women who are prone to osteoporosis after menopause.
Food With Proteins May Boost Metabolism
The intake of a right quantity of protein helps boost your metabolism significantly. This leads to you burning calories at a fast pace.
According to research, you can even burn more than 100 calories when consuming protein-rich food. However, working out simultaneously is imperative.
Protein Helps Lower Your Blood Pressure
Eating protein-rich food matters because it helps to lower your blood pressure, reducing risks of heart attacks, kidney diseases and strokes. As per another study, this nutrient also reduces bad cholesterol levels in your body.
So, it's not just the taste of your steak that should woo you into eating it. You should also be concerned about its protein content to reap some great benefits for your body.
This brings us to our main question: How much protein in a pound of steak? Let's find out now!
How Much Protein in a Pound of Steak?
Imagine you sit in a fancy restaurant, and the waiter comes with a menu card featuring various types of steaks. You may wonder which type of steak has more proteins in a pound.
An average steak has 80 to 100 grams of protein. The exact protein content depends on the cut. For instance, a pound of ribeye steak has around 110 grams of protein. Similarly, a flank steak of the same weight has roughly 120 grams of this nutrient.
If you want a tenderloin or sirloin cut, know that the protein quantities for every pound may remain the same. Other than the cut, the protein content of a steak is also affected by the animal it comes from. The cattle’s breed and its diet play a significant role here.
Additionally, meat processing can also affect the amount of protein a pound of steak has. For example, if you get the excess fat trimmed, your steak would have an excess quantity of protein in each serving.
Alternatively, if you go for processed meat for your steak, you may see it having added protein-based ingredients to enhance the shelf-life, texture, and flavor. This may increase the overall quantity of protein present in a pound.
Why Should You Know How Much Protein in a Pound of Steak?
Now the main question is: “Why is it even important to know how much protein in a pound of steak?” Here are some reasons:
It can help you track the amount of nutrient getting in your body. If you want to achieve a certain dietary goal like weight loss, having an idea about the quantity of this nutrient is important.
It can guide the amount of other nutrients present in the food. You can easily evaluate the fat and carb contents to see if the steak is really healthy for your body or not.
It helps prevent excessive protein intake. If a steak cut has more protein than required, it may lead to straining your kidneys, increasing osteoporosis risk and causing severe dehydration with time.
If you want to be on the safe side, it makes sense to know what goes inside your body as you enjoy your lunch.
If you aren't satisfied with the quantity you are taking after knowing the protein content in your steak, you may want to follow a few tips to rescue you from the situation.
6 Ways to Cook Steak to Maximize its Protein Content
The best way to enjoy a steak is by cooking it at home as it is easy to control the protein content present in it. Here are a few ways to make your first protein-rich steak.
Buy High-quality Meat Only
Ensure that you buy only high-quality beef. Don't compromise on that. If you are not an expert in selecting the meat for your steak, get help online or from the butchers at the shop.
Purchasing high-quality meat is not only important for your health purposes but also help in ensuring that your final dish comes out great. Meat from a great breed cooks well, has all the nutrients you require and gives you a worth remembering taste.
Opt for Smoking the Steak
Cooking methods generally don't alter the amount of protein present in a steak significantly. However, processes such as smoking and curing may increase the percentage of relatively deep protein meat after the loss of water.
Grilling and Broiling are Worth Considering
If you want to opt for maximum flavor in your steak without compromising its protein content, you can choose grilling or broiling. They help preserve the moisture and overall flavor of your steak.
You can also opt for rubs and marinades that add more taste to the steak without elevating the sodium levels.
Avoid Overcooking Your Steak
If you don't need a dry, tough steak with loss of major proteins, we suggest to avoid overcooking your meat. This can be avoided by using a meat thermometer to ensure that your steak is cooked at a desired temperature.
Let Your Steak Rest
Once the steak is ready, let it rest for at least five minutes so its components get time to adjust to give a juicy and flavorful dish to try.
Add Protein-rich Sides to Your Meal
If you want to have more proteins than present in your steak, try serving it with protein-rich side dishes. Green peas, potatoes, sprouts, and broccoli are some incredible options. Wild rice and quinoa also help elevate the taste of your main dish.
A Protein-rich Steak Recipe
Since now you know the basics, it is time to cook the best steak at home so you get your desired proteins from a pound. Here is the recipe.
Method
Take a pound of meat cut of your choice. The best option is a Ribeye steak.
Pat the steak dry before putting it in a pan.
Sprinkle both sides with a generous amount of salt and black pepper just before your cooking starts.
Now preheat the pan to medium and brush it with one tablespoon of oil.
Put your steak in the pan and search each side for three to four minutes until a brown crust appears.
Now spoon some garlic butter over the steak until you have achieved your right doneness.
Remove the steak from the pan and let it rest for five minutes before you take your first bite.
If you want, you can serve it with green vegetables for a great meal.
Wrapping Up
Here’s hoping that you are now clear about how much protein in a pound of steak and can't wait to cook it to make it a part of your balanced diet. Just make sure that you cook your steak well. Also, don't forget to marinate it properly so it tastes delicious while you have it to enjoy its healthy nutrients.
