Does Walmart Sell USDA Prime Beef? An In-Depth Look at Their Meat Selection

As a bargain shopper who also cares about quality, I often find myself browsing the meat aisles at Walmart. With its reputation for low prices, Walmart seems like an ideal place to find deals on groceries. But when it comes to something like USDA prime beef, which is the highest grade available, I wasn’t sure if Walmart would carry it or just stick to more budget-friendly options.

In this article, I’ll provide a detailed look at Walmart’s meat department to answer the question – does Walmart sell USDA prime beef? I’ll cover the different types of beef they offer, pricing compared to competitors and tips for finding prime cuts when you shop at Walmart.

Overview of Walmart’s Beef Selection

Walmart offers a wide assortment of fresh beef options including

• Ground beef
• Steaks: sirloin, ribeye, T-bone, tenderloin, etc.
• Roasts: chuck, rump, shoulder clod, etc.
• Brisket, short ribs and stew meat
• Organic beef
• Grass-fed beef

Within these offerings you can find three main USDA grades of beef at Walmart

• USDA Choice – This is the most common grade of beef sold at Walmart. It has less marbling than Prime or Select but still good flavor and tenderness. Choice roasts and steaks offer a good value.

• USDA Select – More budget-friendly but lower quality than Choice, with less marbling. Select works well for stew meat or ground beef.

• USDA Prime is the best grade, with lots of marbling that makes the meat taste better and be more tender. More on Prime below!.

To be clear, Walmart does sell all USDA grades, and some stores even sell Prime beef.

Availability of USDA Prime Beef at Walmart

The availability of USDA Prime beef can vary depending on location:

• Limited Selection – Only some Walmart locations carry USDA Prime cuts. It depends on regional supply and local demand.

• By Special Order – You may need to ask the butcher counter to special order USDA Prime cuts not regularly stocked. Allow 2-3 days for fulfillment.

• Seasonality – Prime availability might increase around holidays like Christmas and Easter when demand goes up.

• Online Only – Walmart.com has a wider selection of Prime beef available for delivery vs. in-store.

So while selection is limited compared to a dedicated butcher shop, it is possible to find USDA Prime cuts at some Walmart locations, especially if you special order ahead.

USDA Prime Ribeye Steaks at Walmart

One of the most prized Prime cuts is ribeye steak. I recently found USDA Prime ribeye steaks on sale at my local Walmart for $24.99 per pound.

Here were the details on these premium steaks:

• 16 oz portion size, cut extra thick
• Abundant marbling throughout the steak
• Bright red color indicating freshness
• Firm, consistent texture when raw
• Butcher paper wrapping to allow aging during transit

For Prime grade, the price was excellent compared to high-end grocery stores. The generous marbling and portion size made these ribeyes a great value purchase.

Tips for Finding USDA Prime at Walmart

If you want to hunt for USDA Prime beef on your Walmart trips, here are my top tips:

• Ask the in-store butcher counter if they ever carry Prime or can special order it.

• Check for Prime availability about 1 week before a major holiday when inventory increases.

• Inspect the marbling and coloring closely to identify Prime cuts.

• Look for tags noting “USDA Prime” not just “USDA Beef”.

• Be willing to pay a small premium over Choice prices for the upgrade to Prime.

• Shop Walmart’s online grocery for wider Prime selection and ordering convenience.

• Consider special request pre-orders for cuts not regularly stocked.

With some persistence and the right timing, scoring delicious Prime steaks and roasts from Walmart is absolutely achievable on a budget.

Is the Quality Worth the Price?

At the end of the day, does the quality of USDA Prime beef at Walmart justify the slightly higher cost over Choice? In my opinion, Prime is worth paying extra for special occasions or treating yourself. The generous marbling makes a noticeable difference in tenderness and flavor. However, if feeding a large family, the price difference could add up, making budget-friendly Choice more practical for everyday meals. With Walmart’s pricing, you don’t have to break the bank to enjoy Prime beef from time to time.

While stock varies regionally, Walmart does carry high-end USDA Prime beef. With some effort scoping out inventory and asking butchers for special orders, you can find Prime cuts like ribeyes for special occasions. The prices offer a marked discount versus other grocery stores. If you know how and when to shop for it, Walmart can be a surprising source for quality Prime beef worth savoring. Take advantage of these tips and enjoyPrime savings without sacrificing taste!