A price list and information you need to shop for prime beef at Costco. Costco is one of the few chain stores where you can regularly find prime cuts of beef.
Everyone wants the best, right?
You want to drive the best car, live in the best neighborhood, get your child into the best college, etc.
So naturally if you are a steak lover you want to eat the best steaks - so you want Prime beef. It is suppose to be the best quality beef that your money can buy.
Prime beef is what you find in all the top dollar steakhouses. But prime beef can be hard to find in the grocery store.
In fact most stores only carry choice beef with maybe some select. Costco is one of the few major chain stores that does carry a selection of prime beef. But before we dive into selection and price, I first want to give you a little lesson on what prime beef is.
What does USDA Prime mean?
Beef in America is graded by the USDA. The first thing you need to look for is a symbol on the package that says USDA Prime. For the defintion of Prime Beef, we turn to what the USDA says : "USDA Prime is the superior grade with amazing tenderness, juiciness, flavor and fine texture. It has the highest degree of fat marbling and is derived from the younger beef." It's all about the how much fat is running through the meat and how old the animal was. Younger beef is more tender. If you can develop good marbling in a short time, then you will have prime beef. This isn't easy to, it requires perfect timing, which is why most beef isn't prime.
Where Costco's Prime Beef come from?
Unfortunately I could not find this information. I heard they get beef from U.S., Canada, and Australia but nothing more specific than that. The downside with a company the size of Costco is that it is hard to track the sources of their meat. I wish there were as good as Whole Foods Market is about sources, as you can easily trace their meat back to the source.
Below you will find a table of prices that I found during my Septmebr 2019 visit to Costco. Prices and selection may vary in your region, check stores for exact pricing. Since I originally wrote this post back in 2015, the prices has stayed pretty steady with a small drop actually. So I don't expect much difference whenever you are reading this.
| Boneless Rib Eye Steaks | $17.99/lb |
| Boneless Top Sirloin Steaks | $8.99/lb |
| Boneless NY Strip Steaks | $17.99/lb |
| Prime Tenderloin Steaks | $22.99/lb |
| Bone-in Rib Eye Steaks | $13.99/lb |
| Whole Brisket | $3.79/lb |
| Whole Tnederloin | $18.48/lb |
| Whole Peeled Tenderloin | $29.99/lb |
Not a giant selection by any means but enough to get a good steak. If you buy the entire Top Sirloin and slice it yourself your getting a prime steak for $7.69 per pound, which is 10 cents less per pound that a choice sirloin steak, so it's a great deal but only if you really have the money to spend on a big chunk of meat at once.
If you want to spend the big bucks and get a truly great steak, I would opt for the Ribeye over the NY Strip. In my opinion it Ribeyes are more flavorful and since their the same price might as well go with the more flavorful cut.
Costco Has Brisket Too
Since I originally made this post back in 2015, I started seeing Prime Beef Brisket at Costco. The price has been under $4 per pound. Well not great for steaks at all, this is perfect for BBQ or corned beef.
What Are Your Thoughts?
Have you ever bought Prime Beef at Costco? Please share your experience in the comment section below. Was it worth the extra money?
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Fred
I purchased four prime sirloin strip steaks from Costco. I couldn't believe how soft and delicious they were. I cooked them on a infrared broiler. We will never go to a steak restaurant again and we go to all the best steak restaurants in New York and Florida.
Eric Samuelson
Thanks for sharing your experience. I loved that you use the broiler. I think most people neglect theirs.
Ross
We bought three strip steaks from Costco they were the best tasting most tender that I have had in years I don’t know where they came from or how they were fed but they were right we’ll keep buying them as long as they continue to perform thanks
Kevin Mac
I consider myself a steak aficionado, and Costco prime steaks are the best. When we have people for dinner they inhale the steak like they were going to the ‘chair’ in twenty minutes. Personally, I am not a big fan of ribeye, and like the strip steaks and the filet. I purchase prime chuck roast and prime top sirloin steaks, and grind my own burgers 75% chuck, 25% sirloin, and the flavor Is phenomenal. Next time you shop for hamburger look on the package for country/ countries of origin, and you’ll find multiple countries. Grind your own, you won’t be disappointed.
Kathleen Riley
We had prime filets from Costco that were the best steaks I’ve ever eaten at home. We had choice boneless ribeyes that were awful.
Eric Samuelson
Awesome. Great to hear that. Thanks for sharing.
Mark Kraft
We purchased several Filet's at Costco, they were probably the best steaks I've grilled (outside) at home. they equaled the filet's we purchased at Jeff Ruby's Steakhouse
Eric Samuelson
Thanks for sharing your experience, Mark!
Patricia A Skrlac
We have always bought Costco prime new york strip steaks. I was Very disappointed after going to our local Costo in Mesa Az and being told they were no longer going to carry them. No explination as to why. Guess as a consumer iwe are not due any explination.
Eric Samuelson
That's frustrating. Sorry to hear that. I will have to see if other stores are doing the same.