What is the highest quality American beef?
Prime is the highest quality available, having more marbling and intramuscular fat than any other grade, yielding unmatched flavor. According to the February 2024 USDA National Steer & Heifer estimated grading percent report, the national average of beef graded prime is 10.32% with choice coming in at 73.70%, and 12.82% of beef graded select. 3.16% of beef graded out to be classified as “other.”
How do you grade beef?
There are eight grades of beef, however, only three are sold in retail stores across the United States. Prime, Choice, and Select grades are determined by the animal’s age, quality, and abundance of marbling. Did you know each cut isn’t graded, the grade is determined by the whole or split carcass?
Where can you find Prime beef?
Prime beef is in fine dining settings like high-end restaurants, steakhouses, and hotels. It’s incredibly juicy, tender, and flavorful when prepared because of its marbling. Years back, high-end grocers were the only ones to keep a limited quantity of prime-grade beef. However, it’s easier to find these days to enjoy at home.
Prime
USDA Prime Beef is the top grade of beef available. On average, 35% of our beef grades out to prime with abundant marbling for exceptional tenderness, juiciness, and flavor. The cattle in this program never receive added hormones or antibiotics, which slows the process down, creating a superior product. We ensure the cattle are well cared for and finished on a balanced diet of grain, hay, and nutritional supplements.
Learn more about Painted Hills Natural Beef Prime grade here.
Choice
Painted Hills Natural Beef USDA Choice Beef is the second highest quality grade of beef. You still enjoy high-quality meat raised without the use of hormones or antibiotics, just not quite as marbled as Prime. Very forgiving to cook with, Choice beef is tender and flavorful. You will find the same delicious flavor profile throughout all cuts, from ground beef to tenderloin. Our Choice beef is served at restaurants nationwide, repeatedly winning blind taste tests. These cattle are ranch-raised and finished on a veterinarian-managed balanced diet that includes hay and grain.
Learn more about Painted Hills Natural Beef Choice grade here.
Select
USDA Select is uniform in quality and leaner than higher grades. It is tender, but because it has less marbling, it may lack the juiciness flavor of higher grades. USDA Select is generally the lowest grade you’ll see at the supermarket. Painted Hills Natural Beef does not offer select.
About our natural beef
Our beef comes from high-quality cattle raised in the Northwest on rangelands and rolling hills of family farms and ranches, grading out to Prime or Choice. All producers that provide cattle to Painted Hills Natural Beef follow our strict animal handling and welfare protocols. Participating ranchers sign legal affidavits guaranteeing their adherence to our standards.
We value your business and strive to earn your trust. Our member ranchers and employees are hands-on working the ranches, but we are also visiting stores, talking with customers, checking on our supply chain, and managing the business from the ground up. If you want to know more about us, call us, and we will give it to you straight.
