HOW BEEF IS GRADED - KITCHEN TIPS & much more

USDA beef graders inspect beef to assess the safety and to grade quality. A quality grading allows better pieces of beef to sell for higher prices, which benefits farmers. It also gives consumers a standardized ranking system to guide their shopping.

Two considerations go into grades. First, how much marbling, or the fat between lean muscles, appears in the beef. Marbled beef generally has a richer flavor and will remain moist and juicy after cooking. Second, graders consider the age of the cow, since younger cattle tend to produce more tender beef.

The Grades of Beef

It is important that we understand the grades of meat when purchasing.

There are eight grades of meat graded by USDA. But only the top three are usually sold at butcher shops.

1) Prime 5) Commercial
2) Choice 6) Utility
3) Select 7) Cutter
4) Standard 8) Canner

Here is a quick guide to each:

Prime

Just 4-5% of cattle makes the prime grade. Prime beef comes from young cows. The meat is amply marbled, with lots of white fat running through the beef. (Fat might sound unappealing, but it’s what gives beef much of its flavor and juiciness!) Prime beef tends to get scooped up by high-end restaurants, hotels, and steakhouses. Occasionally, your butcher shop may have prime beef in stock. It’ll likely be a splurge, but the richness is perfect for a special occasion. Prime beef stands up to high, dry cooking well, think grilled or broiled steaks or fancy roasts.

Choice

About 65% of graded beef is choice grade, and it’s the most common grade you’re likely to see at your grocery store. Choice beef has moderate marbling and is perfectly tender, flavorful, and juicy. Buying a choice steak or ribeye is certainly cheaper than a prime option that will still result in a perfectly delicious piece of beef.

Select

.About 25% of beef is graded select. Select beef has less fat, which tends to mean it has less flavor and is less juicy. Select beef is typically still pretty tender.

Cooking lean beef over high heat can run the risk of a dry, tough piece of meat. If you’re grilling, roasting, or broiling select beef, marinate it first to preserve moisture.

Select beef will taste great in a slow cooker, too. Certain cuts, like brisket, stew meats, or ground beef, are just as tasty in a select grade as in a higher grade; they tend to be fattier cuts anyway and are nearly always cooked low-and-slow, so they won’t dry out.

Standard, Commercial, Utility, Cutter, and Canner

These lower-grade cuts of beef are seldom sold fresh to consumers. Only about 1% of beef is graded at this level, and it typically comes from older cattle. That’s not to say this beef is inedible. It’s commonly used in canned and processed food, or occasionally in cheap ground beef.

Now that you have a feel for how beef is graded, let’s go shopping.