Unpopular opinion: boneless ribeyes are a waste of money

I was at a BBQ competition in Austin last month and a guy told me he pays $18/lb for boneless ribeyes. I pulled up my phone and showed him the USDA stats I found - bone-in ribeyes average 12% more flavor according to a 2022 Texas A&M study. The bone acts as a heat shield and adds moisture during cooking. He just shrugged and said he doesn't like cutting around it. Am I the only one who thinks the bone is part of what makes a ribeye worth buying?

2 comments

2 Comments

felix_bailey451mo ago

Hang on, you cut your finger trying to debone a chicken? @charlie_lane85, I need to hear that story. That sounds like a trip to the ER waiting to happen. But seriously, $18/lb for boneless ribeyes is robbery. The bone keeps the meat from drying out and adds so much flavor, especially when you're searing it. I'd rather spend an extra 30 seconds cutting around the bone than pay a premium for less taste.

charlie_lane851mo ago

Man I still cut my finger open trying to debone a chicken last week so maybe I should stick with the boneless ones too.