In this article, we’ll learn about the eight US beef grades and what they mean, what it means when meat doesn’t have a grade, and why you only ever see three grades in the supermarkets.

The Quality Grade of a beef carcass is determined by evaluating carcass indicators of physiological maturity and marbling, as reflected in the Official USDA Grading Chart (Figure 2).

Nov 14, 2025 · Master USDA beef grades. Learn quality indicators, marbling scores & how to choose the best cuts for your BBQ.

Aug 18, 2019 · There are eight grades of beef designated by the USDA, only the top five of which are usually sold to consumers. Lower grades are most often used for processing and use in canned …

Jan 28, 2013 · This video provides a comprehensive overview of the beef grading system – from farm to table. So next time you are at a restaurant or grocery store, look for the USDA grade shield and you …

Feb 17, 2024 · There are eight beef quality grades. Here is the list of grades from highest to lowest: Prime, Choice, Select, Standard, Commercial, Utility, Cutter, and Canner. Most of us at the grocery …

The USDA Agricultural Marketing Service recognizes 8 different beef grades, from highest quality to least: Prime, Choice, Select, Standard, Commercial, Utility, Cutter, and Canner.

Prime is the highest quality grade, only about 3% of all beef achieves this distinction. It has abundant fat marbling that makes the meat exceptionally flavorful, tender, and juicy. Because Prime beef has …

Grading beef carcasses is optional. Carcasses can receive both the yield grade and quality grade or only one of these grades. To have beef carcasses graded, a packing plant must request that …

Apr 3, 2024 · There are eight total USDA quality grades for beef, but only the top three grades (Prime, Choice, Select) are typically sold at the retail level. The bottom grades go into processed items or …