Bearded_muscle wrote: “Thanks for sharing brother. What are your thoughts on the grades of beef? I probably treat myself to a nice steak maybe 2-3 times a month and costco seems to be one of the only retailers that carries prime grade steaks.”

Thanks Bearded_muscle for bringing up a cool topic. =)

There are 3 grades of beef you are going to be looking for in the store:

USDA Select, USDA Choice and USDA Prime.

The grades refer to a set “quality standard”.

All meats are strictly regulated by the Government with massive fines being handed out for mislabeling. So, what you see is what you get. A choice cut from one location, is a choice cut from another location. As far as quality standard is concerned both are equal.

Taste is another matter entirely...as “taste” is not regulated.

Therefore, a Choice T-Bone from “Joes Market” will taste different than a Choice T-Bone from Big Box Grocery Store.

The difference is the meat supplier they use could be different or the cattle could be different.
Cattle raised on better ingredients do in fact taste much better. But there are plenty of things you can feed your cattle that are cheap and legal that make them taste less than delicious.

Taste is subjective, so when you find a good spot for steaks keep it!

The run down on the grades are as follows:

USDA Select: very little marbling, not very juicy, very common, very low cost.

USDA Choice: Average / moderate marbling, pretty juicy, very common, average cost.

USDA Prime: This has the most marbling, very juicy, not too common on the shelf, it will be in the Butchers case. USDA Prime is what you are going to get at that high end steak house. And the cost is the highest of the 3 grades.

My use advice is:

USDA Select:
Prepare this like a normal steak...and you’re going to be eating shoe leather my friend and you wont be happy. Plan on marinade, beating it with a tenderizer mallet or the best option is to have your Butcher run it through a tenderizer for you. Its a great protein source and supper cheap especially if you buy a value pack.

USDA Choice: Eat this every time you can. Its perfect for everyday and to enjoy it with friends on the weekend. If you buy the value packs the price will be cheaper. Never buy a single pack.

USDA Prime: Had a hard week at work? Got a Birthday? Got some out of town friends coming for BBQ? Choose this in these special circumstances and you will be the Hero of the BBQ.

But, always keep an eye out for specials!

Prime always goes on sale for the price of Choice on big BBQ Days! Like Fathers Day, Memorial Day, Fourth of July etc. On those days you can nab yourself some great tasting steaks at half price. =)