As one of the biggest retail chains in America, Walmart sells a huge amount of beef – over 500,000 tons per year! With so much beef moving through their supply chain, it’s natural for customers to wonder what grade Walmart’s beef actually is.
In this detailed guide, we’ll give you the inside scoop on the quality standards, grade requirements, and inspection processes that determine the grades of beef at Walmart stores nationwide. You’ll learn how Walmart beef compares to competitors, what terminology like “Angus” really means, and how to select high-quality cuts for your family.
Let’s start with a quick primer on USDA beef grading so you understand exactly what you’re getting when you shop at your neighborhood Walmart.
A Quick Refresher on USDA Beef Grading
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) grades all commercial beef according to a classification system Only the top grades are approved for sale as premium beef cuts at grocery stores The main tiers are
USDA Prime – The highest rating, Prime beef is beautifully marbled with ample fat streaking that makes it exceptionally tender and flavorful. Around 2-3% of beef earns Prime distinction. Often reserved for upscale restaurants and grocers due to high demand.
USDA Choice – The most common grade sold at retail. Choice has less marbling than Prime but still nicely flecked with fat for good taste and tenderness. Over 50% of graded beef is Choice.
USDA Select – Leaner with less marbling but still relatively tender and juicy. About 20% of graded beef is Select
Below these top three are lower quality USDA Standard and Commercial grades. Supermarkets rarely carry these.
Now that you understand the grading system, let’s look at how Walmart’s beef aligns.
Walmart Sets a Minimum Standard of USDA Select
Per Walmart’s quality rules, all fresh beef sold in their stores must meet Select grade or higher. This ensures a baseline of flavor and tenderness – you’ll never find the lower Standard or Commercial grades at Walmart.
Specifically, here is how Walmart’s beef breaks down:
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Select – The vast majority of Walmart’s beef is Select grade. It offers decent marbling and consistent quality at budget prices – great for family meals.
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Choice – Some Choice beef is available, usually thicker steaks and premium roasts. Provides a step up in richness and tenderness from Select.
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Prime – Only at some locations, usually as luxury cuts like ribeyes and filets. Offers the highest quality eating experience.
While Prime is still minimal, Walmart does aim to carry more Choice beef for better quality options.
How Walmart Beef Compares to Other Grocery Chains
Independent surveys of supermarkets show how Walmart’s everyday beef quality stacks up:
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Costco – Earns top marks for abundant Prime and Choice cuts. Provides premium quality but requires membership and bulk packs.
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Sam’s Club – Owned by Walmart so follows the same standards. Great for savings on family pack bulk buys.
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Kroger – Similar to Walmart with mostly Select and some Choice. Priced slightly higher on comparable cuts.
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Albertsons – Has Choice beef but minimal Prime offerings. Does offer higher-priced boutique dry-aged beef.
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Whole Foods – Leads in Prime and grass-fed beef selection. However, prices are 50%+ higher than Walmart’s regular prices.
As you can see, Walmart competes well for everyday quality beef at affordable pricing for most families. While Prime connoisseurs pay more, Walmart provides good value on Select and Choice.
Don’t Be Fooled – “Angus” and “Natural” Don’t Guarantee Prime
When browsing the meat case, you’ll see labels like “Angus” and “All-Natural” used to market certain beef cuts. But don’t be misled – these don’t automatically mean Prime. Here’s what they actually indicate:
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Angus – Simply means the cattle breed, known for fine marbling. But Angus beef at Walmart is usually Select or Choice grade, not Prime.
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Natural – Signifies no artificial additives. But the underlying beef still adheres to standard grades. Doesn’t denote higher quality.
“Grass-fed” and “Organic” are two other common labels that indicate how cattle were raised, not beef grade. Check for an explicit USDA grade stamp to know the actual tier.
How Walmart Ensures Consistent, Fresh Beef
Maintaining standards across thousands of stores requires Walmart to implement tight supply chain control. Here are some of the processes used:
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On-site processing – Walmart owns beef plants to oversee quality first-hand. Employees manage slaughter, fabrication, and packaging.
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Strict specifications – Detailed standards govern how beef is handled, transported, and stored from ranch to shelf. Temperatures must stay between 32-40°F.
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Use-by dates – Packages show kill dates and expiration dates so customers know when the beef was processed. Walmart removes out of date products daily.
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Blockchain tracing – Walmart uses blockchain to digitally track each cut back to the source farm for accountability.
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Daily audits – Walmart conducts quality checks each day at the store level, inspecting beef for proper temps, freshness, and packaging.
While problems can happen rarely in a huge system, these controls ensure consistent, fresh beef daily at your neighborhood Walmart.
Grading Your Own Walmart Beef
If you want to personally evaluate the grades of Walmart beef, here are some tips:
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Examine marbling – more numerous fat streaks indicate higher grades like Prime or Choice.
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Assess texture – higher grades feel slightly soft versus firmer lean Select beef.
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Consider color – Prime and Choice beef looks bright cherry red. Lower Select is slightly darker.
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Check transparency – Prime and Choice will look slightly translucent, Select more opaque.
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Evaluate marinade absorption – higher grades absorb sauces and seasonings better when cooking.
Ask the butcher for help finding Choice beef for your next special meal. With some knowledge, you can find excellent quality at Walmart savings!
Decoding the Date Labels on Packages
Understanding the labeling on those plastic-wrapped foam trays helps pick the freshest beef:
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Sell-by date – Last day the store can display and sell the beef. Used for stock rotation.
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Use-by date – Recommends when to cook or freeze the beef for peak quality. Typically 5-7 days beyond pack date.
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Pack date – When the processor packaged the beef. Lasts 5-7 days from this date when refrigerated.
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Born on date – Some labels show when the animal was harvested. Allows tracing origin for quality assurance.
Ideally, choose beef with a use-by date as far out as possible for maximum freshness. Cook within 5 days of purchase for optimal flavor and texture.
How Often Does Walmart Restock Beef?
Walmart’s massive scale requires daily beef deliveries nationwide. Here are some tips on timing:
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Visit early morning around 7-8 am for freshest selection. Overnight staff refill cases.
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Stop by midday when new deliveries arrive, especially for fast-selling items like ground beef.
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Evening restocking around 4-6 pm prepares for the dinner rush.
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24-hour Walmarts replenish high-volume beef around the clock.
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Ask the meat manager when they normally receive shipments and schedule accordingly.
With some planning around beef delivery schedules, you can shop with confidence the meat department will have prime freshness and availability.
Getting the Best Value on Walmart Beef
While Walmart aims for everyday low pricing, there are still ways to maximize savings:
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Opt for store brands over national brands for up to 20% savings on comparable quality.
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Choose family bulk packs over individual portions for the deepest discounts per pound. Divide at home.
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Look for special markdowns on “Manager’s Special” packs nearing expiration for quick use.
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Buy less expensive primal cuts like brisket, chuck roast, or flank steak and portion the meat yourself.
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Take advantage of app “Rollback” offers for instant savings at checkout.
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Stick to your list to avoid impulse buys on higher priced beef.
With strategic shopping, you can serve up serious steakhouse flavor at Walmart savings!
Satisfying Big Groups with Walmart’s Specialty Cuts
From summer barbecues to holiday feasts, Walmart can supply quality beef for any big gathering with their immense selection:
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Ground beef – All types like 80/20, 90/10, Angus, grass-fed. 5+ pound logs for big batches.
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Steaks – T-bones, strips, filets, flat irons, flank, skirt. Thick
Ground beef sold at Walmart recalled for possible E. Coli contamination
What kind of beef does Walmart sell?
Lower grade beef – Most beef at Walmart is USDA Select grade, which is the lowest quality grade that USDA will still approve for sale. Select beef tends to have less marbling, which makes it less flavorful and more prone to drying out when cooking. For comparison, higher-end grocery stores often sell more Choice or Prime graded beef:
Does Walmart sell Angus beef?
The beef is sold under Walmart’s Marketside Butcher brand, which is owned by Walmart. The company began creating its own supply chain to sell no-hormone-added angus beef cuts at stores in the Southeast, working with Texas rancher Bob McClaren of 44 Farms and Prime Pursuits to source cattle raised on family farms and ranches.
Should you buy beef from Walmart?
Walmart beef tends to be lower quality with more risks around freshness and taste. Buying it comes with the biggest gamble. Frozen poultry and meat, canned meats, and plant-based alternatives are safer best. Always thoroughly inspect, properly handle, and fully cook any meat from Walmart as a precaution.
Does Walmart have a Beef butcher?
This means no expert butchers on hand to ensure quality cuts. Lower grade beef – Most beef at Walmart is USDA Select grade, which is the lowest quality grade that USDA will still approve for sale. Select beef tends to have less marbling, which makes it less flavorful and more prone to drying out when cooking.