What is a backstrap steak?

Asked by: Lauren Greenwood

Backstrap is a term typically used when referring to deer, elk, moose and other wild game. It’s the length of the loin on the back of those animals. Some think backstrap and tenderloin are the same thing but they’re actually not. Tenderloins are two strips of meat underneath the loin and behind the ribs.

What is a backstrap called?

Loin. The loin is actually two subprimal cuts—the strip loin (backstrap) and the tenderloin—and contains the most tender and prized cuts of meat. The strip loin, the larger of the two, is a cylindrical muscle running along the spine.

What is strap back meat?

For the record, backstrap refers to a length of loin on the back of a deer, elk, moose, etc. It’s the ribeye in beef and loin in pork. Tenderloins are the two strips of very tender meat under the loin, behind the ribs. This is filet mignon in beef.

Are Backstraps good?

While they aren’t the same as a tenderloin, they are considered one of the most tender cuts of meat of a deer. Backstraps would equate to the same cut of meat we commonly call ribeye in beef and loin in pork cuts. These two cuts of meat are some of the most desirable due to their tender nature.

What’s another name for backstrap meat?

Striploin. There are 2 ways of dealing with a venison saddle, the most common is to prepare a venison backstrap, which in the trade is called a venison striploin.

What cut of beef is the backstrap?

Backstrap is the whole tenderloin. It runs the length of the deer along both sides of the backbone and is usually harvested as two long cuts. Beef and pork tenderloin is what you can buy at a grocery store and can be bought whole or in different cuts.

Where is a backstrap?

The backstraps are two large muscles that follow most mammals’ spines alongside the vertical spinous processes (the bone “fins” that stick up off the spine) and sit on top of the rib cage. They run forward from the pelvic bone all the way up into the neck.

How many Backstraps does a deer have?

If you’re new to deer processing, you can expect to find two primary backstraps when butchering your whitetail. It helps greatly to have a second person stand on the belly side of the hanging carcass and simply hold it firmly.

How do you cut back straps?

So if we want we can flip this over that big silver skins on the bottom here and just get right down against it tight wiggle your knife back and forth. Go all the way through to the end.