When it comes to buying beef products, we have more options than ever to choose from—in the past, Americans mainly focused on the cuts they needed to make a particular meal. Now, with over 26 billion pounds of beef produced in the U.S. every year and various claims appearing on beef products, choosing our beef isn’t always as straightforward. How do you find flavorful, quality beef? What do the USDA beef labels mean? Is Angus beef better than USDA Prime, or just different?
We’ve broken down the differences to help you be more confident in your beef purchases.
USDA Prime Beef: The Basics
USDA Prime is a classification based on the quality and marbling of beef. It’s a standard for beef, rather than a type. The USDA Prime label can apply to grass or grain-fed cattle of any breed, although some breeds tend to qualify as USDA Prime more often than others.
USDA Beef Grades: Prime vs Choice vs Select
USDA Prime is part of a grading scale that the USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service determines and maintains to ensure products of quality and integrity. There are three official grades on this scale: Prime, Choice, and Select.
- USDA Prime: Produced from well-fed, young cattle, Prime is the USDA’s highest grade, featuring abundant marbling (flecks of fat within the meat that makes it more flavorful).
- USDA Choice is the second-highest grade, with flavorful, tender cuts but with less marbling than USDA Prime.
- USDA Select is the most widely produced but doesn’t have the tenderness and marbling of beef in the other classifications.
Although the grades can include beef from various breeds and brands, several factors affect whether beef falls into one of these categories. Raising practices, age at finishing, diet, genetics, and more can result in varying levels of marbling and tenderness.
How to Tell if Beef is Prime, Choice, or Select
The USDA grading shield indicates which classification applies to the product. Here’s what beef in those categories can look like:
What is Angus Beef?
Angus is a breed of cattle known widely for its marbling, consistency, and juicy flavors. While it can—and often does—fall into one of the top USDA classifications, Angus is a breed, not a third-party standard or type of meat. It’s a factor you should consider in addition to the USDA classification instead of as opposed to a particular grade like USDA Prime.
Angus Vs Prime: Beef Can Be Both
Since Angus is a breed and USDA Prime is a grade of beef it’s not a “this vs that” comparison. Angus beef can be graded as USDA Prime but could also grade as “Choice” or “Select.”
Beef sourced from Angus cattle is often high quality, but diet, genetics, and handling practices all contribute to the final product.
How Do You Know Which Beef to Choose?
Doing some quick research will help you find a quality beef product. Understanding the USDA classifications and differences between types of beef is a good first step. You’ll also want to investigate beef brands and consider their feeding and handling practices.
A Cut Above
At Aspen Ridge, we’re committed to producing high-quality Angus beef to USDA Prime and Choice standards. That’s why our cattle have verifiable Angus genetics and are also source and age verified. Our ranchers follow strict feeding and handling protocols, and our cattle have ample room to roam. And, all of our products carry the Certified Humane designation.
The result? A truly natural product that provides unprecedented flavor.
Aspen Ridge Natural Angus Beef Grades
Our naturally raised beef routinely surpasses conventional beef in meeting top USDA standards, and Angus genetics ensure tenderness and rich flavors.
Add Mouthwatering Natural Angus Beef to Your Next Meal
Try one ofthese tasty recipes or learn more about the difference of Aspen Ridge Natural Angus Beef.
Learn more about beef labels, naming, and definitions.
FAQs
Since Angus is a breed and USDA Prime is a grade of beef it's not a “this vs that” comparison. Angus beef can be graded as USDA Prime but could also grade as “Choice” or “Select.” Beef sourced from Angus cattle is often high quality, but diet, genetics, and handling practices all contribute to the final product.
Which is better, Angus or prime beef? ›
Actually, Angus beef has very little to do with the quality of the meat. Rather, Angus is the name of the breed of cattle. The beef is then inspected and graded (Prime or Choice), and then marketed to manufacturers, grocery stores, and restaurants. It is also set at a higher price than other types of beef.
Which USDA beef grade is considered the best? ›
Prime Beef
Prime beef is the highest grade a piece of beef can receive. If the USDA awards a prime quality grading, that means that the beef has abundant marbling, with 8-13% fat, and is from a young, well-fed cow. Only about 2-5% of beef sold in the foodservice industry receives this grading.
Why is Angus beef better? ›
Generally, Black Angus tastes better and is more tender than other beef. This is attributed to the meat's marbling – a trait that Black Angus is known for. In marbled meat, the fat is distributed thinly and evenly, which leads to consistent flavor, juiciness, and flavor.
What is the difference between USDA Choice and Black Angus? ›
USDA Choice is the second grade of beef after Prime: Angus is just a breed of cattle that is reputed to have higher marbling and meat ration than other breeds. As such the breed of the cattle alone is not a guarantee of quality.
Why is prime 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.
Which grade of beef is the highest? ›
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 highest quality USDA grade of beef? ›
USDA Prime is the highest quality grade. Although the number of beef carcasses that grade Prime has increased in recent years, it is still a very small percentage of total cattle numbers.
What is 100% USDA beef? ›
What does “100% USDA prime beef” mean? Young beef calves that have been fed properly produce the highest-quality beef. It is usually sold in restaurants and hotels and has abundant marbling (the amount of fat interspersed with lean meat).
Is USDA Prime beef grass-fed? ›
USDA Prime is a classification based on the quality and marbling of beef. It's a standard for beef, rather than a type. The USDA Prime label can apply to grass or grain-fed cattle of any breed, although some breeds tend to qualify as USDA Prime more often than others.
Not only are the cattle considered to be the top breed, but the meat is phenomenal, too. If you want a mouthwatering burger, then you need to get certified angus beef on it. It's got the best taste, texture, marbling, thickness, and visual appeal of any beef on the market.
What meat is better than Angus? ›
Marbling and Flavor
Wagyu beef, famous for its exceptional marbling, delivers a sumptuous, melt-in-your-mouth experience that's truly second to none. Angus beef, including certified Angus beef, presents good marbling but simply cannot match the intricate web of creamy fat inherent in Wagyu.
Is USDA Choice or Prime better? ›
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.
Is wagyu better than prime? ›
Prime beef is known for having a moderate amount of marbling, but it doesn't compare to the level of marbling found in Japanese Wagyu beef. Because of the high degree of marbling found in Japanese Wagyu beef, it has a distinct flavor and texture that sets it apart from other types of beef.
What is the best breed of cattle for prime beef? ›
Angus Cattle
Angus beef has become all the rage in recent years thanks to its well-marbled meat, which typically earns Prime or Choice grades from the USDA and is usually the highest-quality meat available in grocery stores.
Are Angus or prime rib burgers better? ›
If they're selling Angus vs Prime Rib vs Sirloin for the same price, that means the Angus is regular ground beef cuts from an Angus cow, and the prime rib and sirloin cuts come from lower quality cows. Prime rib is actually underrated as burger meat.
Is prime beef really better than 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.
Is Angus beef more tender than regular beef? ›
What Does Certified Angus Beef ® Mean? Angus beef refers to meat that comes from the Aberdeen Angus breed of cattle, which are more muscular than other breeds. Angus beef cuts typically have a high amount of marbling, which makes a juicier and more tender steak.
