There are eight grades of beef designated by the USDA, only the top four or five grades are usually sold to consumers in supermarkets.
Lower grades are most often used for ground beef or processed and use in canned goods. The different beef grades are found in specific cuts of meat, each has its own unique uses and recommended cooking methods.
U.S. Prime
This is the highest grade of beef with the most fat marbling. This meat is very tender and only accounts for about 2.9 percent of all graded beef.
U.S. Prime is usually reserved for high end dining establishments. Because this grade of beef has such a high level of fat marbling, it is excellent for dry-heat cooking methods. These include roasting, grilling, frying, broiling, and baking.
Many supermarkets do not sell USDA Prime beef. 40 to 45 day dry aged Prime beef cuts often sell from $50.00 to $100.00 dollars or more per-pound.
U.S. Choice
Choice beef is widely available to consumers in supermarkets and restaurants. This beef has a good amount of fat marbling, although less than U.S. Prime. U.S. Choice accounts for roughly 50 percent of all graded beef. It can typically be cooked with either dry or moist heat methods without causing excessive dryness. U.S. Choice is an excellent economic alternative to U.S. Prime. You can grill, fry, roast, or bake this beef as well as stew it or braise it.
U.S. Select
Select beef is also widely available in the retail market. It is much leaner than U.S. Choice and tends to be less tender or juicy often used in ground beef. USDA Select was formerly labeled as “Good.” Due to the low-fat content in this meat, it should be reserved for moist heat cooking methods to prevent drying. Moist heat methods include braising, stewing, steaming, and poaching. Cooking in a slow cooker is one example. These methods help break down tough fibers that are usually present in this meat.
U.S. Standard and U.S. Commercial
Standard and Commercial grades are very low in fat content and may be considerably less tender. When sold in the retail market they typically go ungraded or are labeled under the store brand name and sold for lower prices. Often used to produce ‘low fat’ (lean) ground beef.
Consider using moist heat methods to cook this beef. They are suitable for stew and slow cooker recipes that will make them less tough; grilling or frying may result in dry and chewy meat.
Utility, Cutter, and Canner Grades
These grades may be completely devoid of fat marbling or cut from older animals. These three grades are typically reserved for making processed meat products and canned goods. It is not likely that you will find these in a supermarket, and if you do, you probably will not want to buy or cook with them.
