5 Best Substitutes For Hanger Steak
If you’re looking for a delicious and tender steak, hanger steak is the way to go. However, if you can’t find hanger steak at your local grocery store, don’t worry – there are plenty of other great substitutes you can use.
What are the best substitutes for hanger steak? Shoulder steak, skirt steak, and flank steak are all great beef options. If you want a healthier option, but still want meat, you can also use chicken breast. For vegan or vegetarian options, we recommend firm tofu.
Of course, each of these substitutes offers a different flavor profile and texture. Let’s explore how these substitutes compare to hanger steak!
What Is Hanger Steak?
Hanger steak is cut from the cow’s rib and tenderloin sections. It’s called hanger steak because it is literally hanging from the cow’s abdominal muscles.
As a result, it is a tightly-grained and very tender piece of meat. Hanger steak is very lean, although there can be some connective tissues on the steak that can add a bit of texture to the tender meat.
Hanger steak is sometimes called butcher’s steak or hanging tenderloin. There’s only one piece of hanger steak for every cow, so it can be relatively expensive and also difficult to come by.
Hanger steak has a beautiful, savory flavor, and many people love to marinate it to build on the flavor profile. However, you can also prepare it with just salt and pepper to enjoy the rich flavors of the steak.
One of the best things about hanger steak is that it is very easy to cook.
It is usually cooked rare or medium-rare because this is the best way to retain the flavor of the steak and enjoy its tenderness. If the steak is overcooked, it can easily lose its tender, juicy texture.
The best way to enjoy the perfect piece of hanger steak is by grilling it over high heat. This method can cook the meat quickly while giving it a smoky char exterior, but without drying it out.
You don’t need to marinate hanger steak; a few sprinkles of salt and pepper can highlight the rich taste of meat beautifully. Then, you only need to grill the meat for about two minutes on each side to get the perfect steak.
Make sure to let the meat rest for about 10 minutes before slicing. Then, the cooked steak should be sliced thinly against the grain. When prepared properly, hanger steak is an incredibly delicious and satisfying meal.
Best Substitutes For Hanger Steak
Now that we’ve got you all worked up about hanger steak, just in case you can’t find any at your local stores, let’s take a look at some great substitutes for hanger steak!
1. Shoulder Steak
If you’re looking for a steak that is both juicy and rich in flavor, shoulder steak is a great option.
This cut of meat is from the shoulder of the cow, and it is known for its ability to retain juice. This makes it a great choice for grilling or pan-frying.
Additionally, shoulder steak is marbled with fat, which helps to give it its rich flavor. The extra fat content of shoulder steak means that it will not dry out as quickly as leaner cuts of beef.
However, because of its high fat content, this type of steak can be difficult to cook evenly.
The downside of shoulder steak is that it is not as tender as hanger steak, and you won’t be able to enjoy the melting sensation that hanger steak can offer. However, if you cook it slowly over low heat, it will become just as tender.
This is why shoulder steak will work beautifully with slow cooker recipes or recipes that call for diced or thin strips of beef. These techniques will make the shoulder steak more tender and enjoyable.
You can find shoulder steaks in most grocery stores, and they are sometimes labeled as chuck steak.
2. Skirt Steak
Skirt steak and hanger steak are both cuts of beef that are often prized for their flavor, so skirt steak can be a great substitute for hanger steak, especially if you prepare it right.
Skirt steak is a flat cut of meat that runs along the cow’s belly. It usually has an outer layer that has a fine grain, which makes the meat more tender. However, the meat on the inside can be tougher, with a coarser texture.
As a result, skirt steak is typically tougher and less tender than hanger steak. However, both cuts of meat share a rich, beefy flavor that makes them well-suited for savory dishes.
Skirt steak has an intense flavor that can cope with spicing and marinating, and it can accommodate high heat since its cut doesn’t have any fat or connective tissue.
Skirt steak is best cooked quickly over high heat, so it is perfect for grilling or stir-frying. It is also a great cut of beef for fajitas.
When shopping for skirt steak, look for a cut that is bright red in color and is free of any visible fat. For a delicious skirt steak dinner, try marinating the steak in your favorite sauce and then grilling it to perfection.
3. Flank Steak
The flank steak is a long, flat cut of beef that comes from the abdominal muscles of the cow. It’s a fairly lean cut of meat with a rich flavor that’s similar to a hanger steak.
One key difference between the two types of steak is texture.
The reason for this difference is that flank steak has fewer grains than hanger steak, making the meat a bit more difficult to cook. It’s easy to get a tough, chewy steak if you don’t know how to work with flank steak.
One of the best ways to enjoy flank steak is to marinate it for several hours or even overnight before cooking.
This allows the flavors of the marinade to penetrate into the meat, resulting in a more flavorful dish. The process will also help to tenderize the meat.
It is important to note that flank steak can take longer to cook than other cuts of beef, so be sure to allow plenty of time for it to come to the desired temperature.
When cooked properly, flank steak is juicy, flavorful, and tender, making it an excellent choice for any meal. It’s also relatively lean, so it’s a good option for those watching their fat intake.
4. Chicken Breast
Chicken breast is often thought of as lean and healthy meat, so it can also be used as a healthy substitute for hanger steak.
Nutritionally, chicken breast and hanger steak are similar, providing a good source of protein with relatively little fat.
In terms of texture, chicken breast can also be a close match for hanger steak. When cooked properly, chicken breast has a firm yet tender texture that is similar to hanger steak.
As a result, the chicken breast may be a good option if you are looking for leaner meat or are trying to cut down on red meat.
However, chicken breast can be very dry and bland if you try to make it without any marinade or seasoning, so we would advise against cooking chicken breasts on their own.
It’s definitely not a perfect substitute for hanger steak if you are looking for an option for grilling or pan-frying.
Instead, chicken breast can act as a substitute for dishes that call for marinating or in instances where other ingredients can make up for the bland flavors of chicken breasts, such as meat stews or fajitas.
5. Tofu
One of the challenges of veganism is finding substitutes for meat that are both nutritious and satisfying.
Tofu is a popular choice for vegans looking for a hanger steak replacement!
Made from soybeans, tofu is a great source of vegan protein. It is also rich in iron and calcium, and definitely fat-free.
In addition, tofu is extremely versatile and can be used in a variety of dishes. For example, it can be pan-fried and served with vegetables, or it can be cubed and added to soup or stir-fried.
Tofu can also be marinated and grilled, making it an excellent choice for a vegan BBQ.
If you are shopping for a steak substitute, make sure to get tofu steak, which is made to replicate the appearance (and sometimes even texture) of steak.
If you cannot find tofu steak, you can also get extra firm tofu and then press it for about 30 minutes to condense the tofu and make the texture more dense and meaty.
That said, tofu cannot replicate any type of meat perfectly, so you may still trip over the difference in texture — it’s definitely not the perfect substitute in terms of texture.
Tofu is also very bland, it doesn’t actually have any flavor at all, so it cannot be cooked on its own.
One advantage of tofu is that it will absorb sauce really well, so you can marinate it in soy sauce or barbecue sauce to allow it to soak up the flavors before cooking so that it can mimic the flavors of hanger steak more closely.
