Tomahawk Steak is a showstopper cut of beef. With a thick cut that includes the rib bone, it has a dramatic appearance and delivers incredible flavor and tenderness. The ribeye area of the cow provides marbling that melts into succulence during cooking. Whether you share it for a romantic dinner or a celebration with friends, this steak is sure to leave a lasting impression. Let’s learn more about it!
Table of Contents
What Is A Tomahawk Steak?
A Tomahawk Steak is an impressive and dramatic cut of beef. It is actually a thick, bone-in ribeye steak that contains an entire long rib bone. The butcher leaves several inches of rib bone attached to create a distinctive “handle” for the steak. That is resembling the Native American fighting ax, hence the name.
Because of the width of the rib bone, Tomahawk Steaks are typically 2 inches or thicker and weigh between 30 and 45 ounces (850 to 1275 grams). A Tomahawk Steak is meant for sharing or for an extremely hungry steak-lover.
Since Tomahawk comes from rib primal where it is rich in marbling, it tastes fantastic when the marbling melts. Marbling melts as the steak cooks and helps impart a lot of flavor and juiciness. Its thick cut and beautiful marbling make the Tomahawk one of the finest steaks, tasting succulent and satisfying.
► Read More: 5 Best Marbled Steak Cuts Ranked & How to Cook
How Many Tomahawk Steaks Per Cow?
You would get 4-8 Tomahawk Steaks per cow.
Each cow only has 2 ribeye areas, from which Tomahawk Steaks are cut. Since Tomahawk include a large portion of the ribeye and several rib bones, you would likely only get 4 to 8 Tomahawk Steaks from an entire cow.
Is Tomahawk Steak a Ribeye?
Yes, Tomahawk Steak is a Ribeye with a large bone.
Tomahawk Steak is cut from the ribeye section of beef. It is a full ribeye that contains three major muscles: the large center eye (longissimus dorsi), the complexus muscle, and the cap of ribeye or deckle (spinalis dorsi).
The Tomahawk Steak includes these three groups of muscles with several inches of rib bone left attached. So the Tomahawk showcases the flavor and tenderness of ribeye beef, but in a dramatic cut with the long rib bone handle.
How Does Tomahawk Steak Taste? (Features)
Let’s have a quick look on the features of Tomahawk Steak:
- Large
- Giant Bone
- Richly Marbled
- Robust Beefy
- Subtly Sweet and Umami
Thanks to its large size, significant amount of fat marbling, and giant bone, Tomahawk Steak tastes exceptionally.
The large surface area allows for good browning and charring. It has a nice char-grilled flavor when seared or grilled.
Tomahawk has a robust beefy flavor that is a common feature of steak cuts from the rib section. Since Tomahawk is densely marbled, when the fat marbling melts during cooking, the steak tends to be very juicy and tender. Also, the fat of the rib section has delicate fat that has a slightly sweet taste and so it tastes subtly sweet.
It has a subtle umami flavor from the bone. The bone adds flavor as it cooks and the fat and juices surround it. When served with the rib bone, it has a dramatic presentation and carnivorous appeal. The large bone is quite the sight.
Overall, the Tomahawk is prized for its bold beefy and juicy flavors, as well as its dramatic style when served with the rib bone. It’s definitely a meat lover’s treat!
► Read More: 5 Most Tender Steak Cuts Ranked and How to Cook
► Read More: 5 Most Expensive Steak Cuts Ranked and How to Cook
How to Cook a Tomahawk Steak? (2 Recipes)
◈ Reverse Sear Tomahawk in an Oven
Reverse searing is the best for a thick steak cut like Tomahawk. This is because it is hard to cook a just right interior with a nice browned crust. Briefly speaking, reverse sear is slowly cooked in an oven and then seared in a hot skillet. Check the RECIPE below:
The low-slow cooking and high-heat searing will result in an evenly cooked steak with a nice browned crust. Enjoy!
► More Recipe: Perfect Slow Cooker Steak | Super Easy Recipe
◈ Grill Tomahawk Steak
Grilling is never wrong with steaks. The photogenic gigantic Tomahawk can spice the grilling party up. Let’s see how to cook it on a grill:
► Read More: 11 Best Gas Grill In 2023 | Under $500/Portable/Griddle Combo…
► Read More: 10 Best Steak Cuts to Grill & How to Grill A Steak?
Nutrition Facts of Tomahawk Steak
Here is the total nutrients chart of Tomahawk steak (1.5 lbs):
| Calories | 1904 kcal |
| Protein | 130 g |
| Fats | 149.6 g |
| Carbohydrates | 0 g |
Where to Buy Tomahawk Steak? (Price)
We recommend buying from Snake River Farms, a prestige butcher shop. The USDA Prime Dry-Aged Tomahawk Steak costs $95 per 1.5 lbs.
Alternatively, you can choose American Wagyu which is even more gorgeous and richly marbled. American Wagyu Black Grade Tomahawk Steak costs $158 per 2.5 lbs while American Wagyu Gold Grade costs $189 per 2.5 lbs.
Can Dogs Eat Tomahawk Bones?
Some dog lovers may want to feed the dog with the appealing Tomahawk bone to their dogs. But we do not recommend giving Tomahawk bones to dogs.
First of all, cooked bones tend to be cracked and broken more easily. Most importantly, the Tomahawk bone is too large.
It could pose a choking hazard or risk of intestinal damage. The bone may also have sharp points that could injure the dog’s mouth or digestive tract.
It is best to avoid giving your dog the rib bone from a Tomahawk. Instead, you can give your dog appropriate sized raw meaty bones under supervision, or safer bone-free treats.
Summary
Tomahawk Steak is one of the most coveted cuts of beef, and for good reason. This impressive cut includes a few inches of rib bone and a thick, marbled slice of ribeye beef. When cooked correctly, it offers an unparalleled meaty flavor and melt-in-your-mouth texture. The dramatic presentation of the Tomahawk makes it an ideal special occasion meal to share with family or friends. Whether you’re hosting a celebratory dinner party or want to enjoy an extraordinary steak at home, the Tomahawk delivers a world-class steakhouse experience like no other. Must try!
► Read More: 8 Primal Cuts of Beef to Learn Before Ordering Steaks
► Read More: 20 Best Steak Cuts Ranked (A Complete Guide to Know Your Cuts)
