Omaha Steaks are well known for their premium beef products. Many customers wonder if Omaha Steaks are graded as Prime or Choice beef. The answer depends on the specific cut of beef in question.
Prime vs Choice Beef Grades
There are eight different grades of beef set by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). The top three grades that are sold at retail are Prime, Choice, and Select. Here is a quick overview of how they differ:
- Prime – This is the highest quality grade, only about 2% of all beef achieves Prime status. It has abundant marbling which results in enhanced flavor, tenderness, and juiciness.
- Choice – High quality but has less marbling than Prime. Still very tender and flavorful. Choice makes up about 70% of all graded beef in the US.
- Select – Less marbling than Prime or Choice but still tender and juicy. It accounts for about 27% of all graded beef.
So Prime beef is the very top level, followed by Choice as a near-excellent tier, with Select being good quality but more lean.
Grades of Beef at Omaha Steaks
Omaha Steaks advertises that they use a blend of Prime and Choice beef for their products. Here are some specifics on which types of cuts come from which beef grade:
Prime Beef Cuts at Omaha Steaks
These premium cuts are graded as Prime by the USDA:
- Filet mignons
- Boneless strip steaks
- Ribeye steaks
- Porterhouse and T-bone steaks
Omaha Steaks dry-ages these Prime beef cuts for 21 days. Dry-aging involves hanging beef cuts uncovered in a climate-controlled cooler. This process concentrates the flavor and makes the beef more tender.
Choice Beef Cuts at Omaha Steaks
These cuts are graded as Choice by the USDA:
- Top sirloin steaks
- Beef tips
- Flat iron steaks
- Top round steaks
- Briskets
- Short ribs
- Chuck roasts
- Flank steaks
- Hanger steaks
- Skirt steaks
Omaha Steaks dry-ages their Choice beef for 14-21 days depending on the cut. So while these cuts are a step down from Prime, they still undergo expert aging for tenderness and flavor development.
Omaha Steaks Beef Grading and Quality Standards
In addition to USDA beef grading, Omaha Steaks subjects all of their beef to further quality control standards:
- They only use beef from Angus cattle. Angus is known for its marbling quality.
- No beef from dairy cows is permitted.
- Cattle must be under 30 months old at harvesting.
- All beef is hand-selected and trimmed.
- A team of meat specialists examines each cut.
Omaha Steaks founder J.J. Simon summarized their beef standards when he said, “Quality first. Willingness to cut our profit margins, eliminating costs not related to quality, determines the price we offer our customers.”
Omaha Steaks vs Other Online Butcher Boxes
How does Omaha Steaks beef quality compare to some other popular national online butcher box delivery services?
| Company | Beef Grades Used | Dry Aging | Angus Only? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Omaha Steaks | Prime and Choice | Yes, 14-21 days | Yes |
| Butcher Box | Choice | No | No |
| Snake River Farms | Prime | Wet aged only | Yes |
| Chicago Steak Company | Claims “upper 2/3 Choice” | Yes, time unclear | Yes |
Based on publicly available information about their beef quality claims, Omaha Steaks has high standards including using both Prime and Choice grade beef, as well as extensive dry aging for tenderness and flavor.
Wagyu Beef from Omaha Steaks
In addition to Prime and Choice Angus, Omaha Steaks also offers ultra-luxurious Wagyu beef. This comes from a special Japanese breed of cattle celebrated for its rich marbling.
Key facts about Omaha Steaks Wagyu beef:
- Sourced from Snake River Farms in Idaho.
- Cattle are 100% fullblood Japanese Black Wagyu breed.
- USDA graded as Prime.
- Heavily marbled with a buttery texture.
- Cuts offered include filet mignon, ribeye, NY strip, and ground beef.
While standard Omaha Steaks beef is already considered top-tier, their Wagyu beef offers an unmatched premium eating experience for the most discerning beef enthusiasts.
Conclusion
Omaha Steaks offers a line of premium beef products sourced from USDA Prime and Choice graded beef. The Prime designation is reserved for their most deluxe cuts like filet mignon and ribeye, while the Choice label applies to value cuts like brisket and top round.
All Omaha Steaks beef, whether Prime or Choice, comes from Angus cattle under 30 months old. Their rigorous standards for marbling, tenderness, and flavor result from their extensive dry aging process. When comparing to other leading online butcher companies, Omaha Steaks is one of the only ones offering both Prime and heavily aged beef.
For customers seeking the very best beef money can buy, Omaha Steaks also provides real Japanese Wagyu beef with exquisite marbling. While their standard Angus beef is top notch, the Wagyu products offer a truly decadent premium eating experience.