Flank vs Top Sirloin — What's the Difference?
Quick Answer
Flank (flank steak) and Top Sirloin (top sirloin) are not the same cut: Flank is flank primal (abdominal flank steak); Top Sirloin is sirloin primal (Upper hip, above the sirloin cap (coulotte) and behind the short loin).
Canonical entities: Flank · Top Sirloin
Side-by-side
| flank | top sirloin | |
|---|---|---|
| Primal | flank | sirloin |
| Muscle / location | abdominal flank steak | Upper hip, above the sirloin cap (coulotte) and behind the short loin |
| Character | Long, fibrous abdominal cut; benefits from slicing across the grain. | A large, lean cut from the hip section. The top sirloin butt (NAMP 184) is the main muscle group. Versatile — grilled as steaks, roasted whole, or cut into kabobs. Moderate tenderness with good beefy flavor. Not to be confused with sirloin cap (coulotte/picanha) which sits on top of it. |
Key differences
- Different primals: flank vs sirloin.
- Texture and slicing: compare fibrous, grain-heavy cuts vs more tender steak-style muscles based on each cut’s description.
- Retail naming diverges by country—always map through a canonical cut when translating menus or labels.
When to use each
Flank
Pick Flank when you want its specific marbling/texture profile: Long, fibrous abdominal cut; benefits from slicing across the grain.
Top Sirloin
Pick Top Sirloin when its primal/muscle traits fit the dish: A large, lean cut from the hip section. The top sirloin butt (NAMP 184) is the main muscle group. Versatile — grilled as steaks, roasted whole, or cut into kabobs. Moderate tenderness with good beefy flavor. Not to be confused with sirloin cap (coulotte/picanha) which sits on top of it.
Flank and Top Sirloin are different canonical muscles/primals: Flank is flank (abdominal flank steak); Top Sirloin is sirloin (Upper hip, above the sirloin cap (coulotte) and behind the short loin).
Choose based on tenderness, marbling, grain direction, and how you plan to cook (sear vs braise vs slice thin).
Read the full guides: flank (what-is) · top sirloin (what-is) · flank hub · top sirloin hub