popup Beef Grading

Prime - The highest grade—features abundant marbling, exceptional tenderness, juiciness, and flavor; typically found in high-end steakhouses and specialty butchers.

Choice - High quality with good marbling and tenderness; slightly less marbled than Prime but excellent for grilling, roasting, or everyday premium cooking.

Select - Lean and uniform in quality with minimal marbling; still tender but less juicy and flavorful than Choice—best with marinades or moist-heat cooking.

Standard - Lower grade with very little marbling; typically sold ungraded or as “store brand,” lacking the tenderness and flavor of higher grades.

Commercial - Often from older cattle; leaner and less tender, sometimes used for ground beef or processed products.

Utility - Very lean, tough cuts used mostly in processed meats, canned beef, and commercial food manufacturing.

Cutter - Low-marbling, firm beef rarely sold retail; primarily used for further processing or industrial food applications.

Canner - The lowest grade; extremely lean and tough, used almost exclusively in canned or highly processed beef products.