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Grading Beef

Beef grading sets the standards for the various quality levels of beef. The beef grading program uses highly trained specialists and sometimes grading instruments to determine the official quality grade. Beef quality grading is voluntary and administered by the USDA and paid for by beef packers.

The grade is primarily determined by the degree of marbling — the small flecks of fat within the beef muscle. Marbling provides flavor, tenderness and juiciness to beef and improves overall palatability. Other grading factors include animal age, and color and texture of the muscle.

Let's explore the different beef grades.

Understanding beef grades

Prime

Prime beef is produced from young, well-fed cattle. It has abundant marbling, is produced in smaller quantities than other grades, and is often sold in hotels and restaurants. Prime roasts and steaks are excellent for roasting, grilling or broiling.

Choice

Choice beef is high quality and produced in highest quantity, but has less marbling than Prime. Choice roasts and steaks, especially from the rib and loin, will be very tender, juicy and flavorful. They are suited for roasting, grilling and broiling. Less tender cuts are perfect for slow-cooking.

Select

Select beef is slightly leaner than Prime and Choice because it has less marbling. It can lack some tenderness, flavor and juiciness as compared to the higher grades. Select grade beef often benefits from slow-cooking or from marination prior to grilling or broiling.

Understanding the Label:

At the supermarket meat case, each beef package label typically identifies the primal cut and the sub-primal cut name. It also includes the weight, price per pound, total price, sell-by date and safe handling instructions. It may also include a grade, nutrition and preparation information and the country of origin.

Ground Beef Label:

Ground Beef packages are labeled according to USDA standards. The information on the labels will be expressed as percent lean to percent fat (80% lean/20% fat, for example).Ground Beef labels may also indicate which primal cut the beef comes from (such as Chuck, Round, or Sirloin).

What to look for:

  • Select beef with a bright cherry-red color. Beef in a sealed bag typically has a darker purplish-red color. When exposed to the air, it will turn a bright red.
  • Choose beef that is firm to the touch.
  • Make sure the package is cold with no holes or tears.
  • Choose packages without excessive liquid.
  • Purchase beef on or before the sell-by date.
       

Keep Exploring:

Grass vs. Grain-finished beef

All cattle spend a majority of their lives eating grass on pastures. But beef can be finished in a variety of ways, giving you choices when at the meat case in your local grocery store.

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how beef is aged

The process of aging beef, whether dry or wet aged, involves storing meat at refrigerated temperatures to enhance the flavor, juiciness and tenderness of the meat. Explore the various ways of aging beef.

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beef production cycle

Through the raising beef process, one thing remains constant – the beef community’s shared commitment to raising cattle in a safe, humane and environmentally sustainable way.

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Explore different beef cuts

Whether you're looking for a lean cut for a family dinner or a tender cut for your holiday roast, our collections will provide you with everything you need to know when you're at the meat case.

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