Steak tips, also known as beef tips, are a nutritious and delicious cut of beef that can be a great addition to a healthy diet. However, like all foods, it’s important to pay attention to portion sizes and calorie counts when eating steak tips. Here’s a quick overview of how many calories are in steak tips.
Calories in 3 oz steak tips
A 3 ounce serving of beef tips contains approximately:
- Calories: 179
- Total fat: 8 g
- Saturated fat: 3 g
- Protein: 24 g
As you can see, a 3 oz portion of steak tips packs quite a bit of protein while delivering less than 200 calories. This makes it an excellent choice if you’re looking to add more protein to your diet without going overboard on calories.
Calories in 6 oz steak tips
Doubling the portion to a 6 oz steak tips provides:
- Calories: 358
- Total fat: 16 g
- Saturated fat: 6 g
- Protein: 48 g
Again, 6 oz of steak tips supplies a hefty dose of protein while still providing less than 400 calories. This serving size gives you plenty of meaty satisfaction without breaking the calorie bank.
Calories in 12 oz steak tips
At restaurants, steak tips are sometimes served in even larger 12 oz portions. Here’s the nutritional breakdown for this jumbo serving size:
- Calories: 716
- Total fat: 32 g
- Saturated fat: 12 g
- Protein: 96 g
As you can see, a 12 oz serving of steak tips packs nearly 100 grams of protein. However, the calorie count has also jumped up to over 700 calories. While still reasonable for an entire meal, this larger portion provides more total calories than some people may want in a single serving.
Comparing steak tips to other cuts of beef
How does the calorie count of steak tips compare to other popular cuts of beef?
| Cut of beef | Calories (3 oz) | Fat (3 oz) | Protein (3 oz) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steak tips | 179 | 8 g | 24 g |
| Sirloin steak | 158 | 6 g | 25 g |
| Tenderloin | 120 | 3 g | 23 g |
| Ribeye steak | 183 | 12 g | 22 g |
As you can see, steak tips are very comparable to other popular cuts of beef in terms of calories, fat and protein per serving. Ribeye steak contains slightly more fat and calories due to its marbling, while tenderloin is leaner and lower in calories than steak tips.
Factors affecting calories in steak tips
There are a few factors that can alter the calorie content of steak tips:
- Portion size – As shown above, the calories increase as the portion gets larger.
- Cooking method – Frying in oil adds more calories than broiling or grilling.
- Grade of beef – Higher grades like Prime tend to have more marbling which increases fat content.
- Additions/sauces – Butter, oil, marinades and heavy sauces can significantly increase calories.
To keep the calorie count reasonable, focus on lighter cooking methods, trim excess fat, and limit high-calorie additions to the steak. Portion control is also key!
Nutritional benefits of steak tips
While their calorie count is certainly important, it’s also key to consider the nutritional benefits that steak tips provide:
- High-quality protein – Steak tips contain all the essential amino acids needed to build and maintain muscle.
- Iron – Steak tips provide heme iron, which is more bioavailable than plant sources.
- B Vitamins – Steak tips supply B12, niacin and other B vitamins vital for energy and nervous system function.
- Zinc – Necessary for immune function, DNA synthesis and growth, steak tips are a great source of this mineral.
- Selenium – Steak tips contain this antioxidant mineral that supports thyroid and immune health.
When eaten in moderate portions as part of a balanced diet, steak tips can provide valuable nutritional benefits. The key is balancing calorie intake with the health perks.
Conclusion
Steak tips can be a tasty and nutritious addition to your diet when enjoyed in sensible amounts. A serving of 3-6 oz provides plenty of protein, important nutrients like iron and zinc, and less than 400 calories. Larger portions will pack more protein but also substantially increase calorie intake. Factors like cooking method, beef grade, and additions also impact the calories in steak tips. Overall, monitored portion sizes and minimal additions are the best way to keep steak tips as a lean, protein-packed option.
