To earn the USDA Prime designation, beef must earn a specific quality grade at the time of slaughter. This grade is based on a combination of marbling (the amount of fat within the Ribeye) and age of the animal. Less than 5-6 percent of all beef produced in the United States earns this designation. Marbling adds flavor, and younger beef cattle produce the most tender meat, which is why the Prime grade is given to the younger cattle with the most abundant marbling. The Choice grade is given to meat that comes from younger cattle with moderate marbling. It is still very flavorful, tender and juicy.
FAQs
What is the difference between USDA Prime and USDA Choice cut meats? ›
USDA Prime has abundant marbling (flecks of fat within the lean) which enhances both flavor and juiciness. USDA Choice has less marbling than Prime but is of very high quality. USDA Select is very uniform in quality and normally leaner than the higher grades.
Which is better, USDA Prime or Choice? ›Prime roasts and steaks are excellent for dry-heat cooking such as broiling, roasting or grilling. Choice beef is high quality, but has less marbling than Prime. Choice roasts and steaks from the loin and rib will be very tender, juicy, and flavorful and are suited for dry-heat cooking.
Can you taste the difference between choice and prime beef? ›You can really taste the difference between Prime vs. Choice strip steaks in terms of flavor and texture. That's because they're a leaner cut, so marbling matters more. The same is true of filet mignon, which is the most tender cuts of meat.
Why are prime and choice cuts of beef more expensive? ›This grade is typically reserved for high-end restaurants and gourmet butchers. The marbling in Prime beef is abundant, resulting in enhanced juiciness and a melt-in-your-mouth texture. Due to its superior quality, prime beef commands a higher price point compared to USDA choice beef.
What are the four quality grades of meat? ›According to USDA, quality grades are contingent on two main criteria– the degree of marbling or intramuscular fat in the beef, and the maturity or estimated age of the animal at slaughter. In total, there are 8 quality grades: Prime, Choice, Select, Standard, Commercial, Utility, Cutter, and Canner.
What grade beef does Taco Bell use? ›We use 100 percent USDA premium beef in our seasoned beef. We prepare it much the same way you prepare taco meat at home: after simmering, it is drained of excess fat and pre-seasoned with our signature blend of 7 authentic seasonings and spices.
What is the best cut USDA? ›Prime is the best quality grade given by the USDA. Prime is produced from young, generously grain-fed beef cattle. It has abundant marbling and is generally sold in high-end steakhouses or butcher shops. Prime roasts and steaks are excellent for grilling just as they are with just a little salt and pepper.
Where does Costco get their meat? ›Costco sources beef from the heavily polluted San Joaquin Valley in California. There is an inverse relationship between PM2. 5 emission and distance to the feedlots.
What is the best cut of steak? ›“Those are steaks from the midsection of the animal, between the rib and the rump.” These cuts—ribeye, New York strip loin, and filet mignon—can certainly be dubbed the best, and few will disagree. “Filet is the most tender cut, but has the least amount of flavor.
Is choice filet mignon better than prime? ›Marbling adds flavor, and younger beef cattle produce the most tender meat, which is why the Prime grade is given to the younger cattle with the most abundant marbling. The Choice grade is given to meat that comes from younger cattle with moderate marbling. It is still very flavorful, tender and juicy.
What grade is Walmart beef? ›
Usda Choice Beef(56)
What is the lowest quality beef? ›Prime and Commercial are associated with the greatest amount of marbling; Standard and Canner are associated with the lowest. The majority of meat sold at retail is Prime, Choice, or Select.
What grade of beef does Costco sell? ›Unlike some grocers, Costco doesn't really sell cheap, lean steaks. The popular warehouse club primarily stocks top-grade, fatty cuts (packaged in bulk, of course, because it's Costco). You basically get two options, each classified according to U.S. Department of Agriculture standards: USDA Choice or USDA Prime.
What is the best USDA grade? ›Simply put, USDA Prime is the highest-quality beef available in the USA, making it perfect for high-heat grilling. It's always harvested from young, well-fed cattle with an abundance or slight abundance of marbling, and at most, only 5% of cattle harvested in America meet Prime grading requirements.
What is the best grade of beef? ›Prime. Prime grade beef is the highest quality you can get. It features beautiful red meat laced with thin striations of white fat. This meat is well suited for a multitude of cooking conditions.
What is the grade above USDA prime? ›The eight grades of beef are prime, choice, select, standard, commercial, utility, cutter, and canner. Although there are eight grades, only the first three are considered noteworthy. Although all meat must be inspected by the USDA for safety, not all are scored for their quality.