The Best Places to Buy Juicy, Tender Steamship Round Beef

Steamship round, also known simply as round roast, is a large, impressive cut of beef from the rear leg of the cow. This flavorful, versatile roast has been a beef lover’s delight for generations. When slow-cooked to perfection, steamship round transforms into incredibly tender, mouthwatering meat that makes the ideal centerpiece for special occasion meals.

If you are looking to serve up serious quantities of delicious roast beef for a celebration, family reunion, or large gathering, then steamship round is your best bet. But where can you find high-quality, prime steamship round beef? Which grocery stores, warehouse clubs, and online retailers offer the best deals on these large roasts?

I’ve done the research to uncover the best places to buy juicy, tender steamship round beef for your next big culinary endeavor. Here are my top recommendations for where to purchase this impressive cut of meat.

Warehouse Clubs Offer Bulk Savings

For those looking to buy steamship round in bulk for the lowest cost per pound warehouse clubs like Costco Sam’s Club, and BJ’s Wholesale are smart places to shop. These membership-based stores carry an extensive selection of high-quality meats in large pack sizes.

Costco in particular is renowned for its premium beef options, including USDA prime steamship rounds ranging from 17 to 22 pounds on average. The price per pound regularly dips below $7 when these roasts go on sale, making Costco hard to beat when buying steamship round in bulk quantities. Just remember to bring a large cooler and plan to break the roast down into smaller portions for easy storage once home.

Sam’s Club also carries prime steamship rounds along with slightly less expensive choice grade roasts. BJ’s Wholesale offers select beef cuts like steamship rounds through their Butcher Block meat program, available for online ordering and delivery. Check warehouse club flyers and websites for current pricing and availability on these large, value-sized roasts.

Online Retailers Offer Variety and Delivery

For superb seamship round beef delivered right to your door, online retailers like Rastelli’s, Porter Road, and Crowd Cow give you convenient ordering options and carefully sourced products These online butchers work directly with farms and ranches to provide premium beef cuts, including American Wagyu steamship rounds with gorgeous marbling

Expect to pay $13 per pound or more for the highest quality steamship rounds from online specialty purveyors compared to just $7 to $9 per pound at warehouse stores. But you gain the advantage of buying precisely the size, grade, and breed of steamship round you want without leaving home.

Many of these online butchers also offer portioned steamship rounds if an 18-pound roast seems intimidating. Consider ordering a more manageable 6-pound roast for smaller gatherings. Online retailers like Rastelli’s and Porter Road ship nationwide, while Crowd Cow focuses on providing locally raised beef to specific regions.

Local Butchers Are Great for Custom Cuts

Don’t rule out the neighborhood butcher for finding fabulous steamship round roasts sourced locally and cut to order. While big box chains like Safeway and Kroger may stock steamship rounds seasonally, your local butcher shop likely offers them regularly.

Independent butchers pride themselves on working closely with area ranches and farms to provide unique beef cuts not found elsewhere. Ask them about the ideal thickness and tying method for custom steamship rounds so you cook this large roast evenly.

Butchers can also portion steamship rounds into sizes like 4-pound sirloin tip roasts that fit home ovens better than a 20-plus-pound behemoth. Expect to pay around $8 to $12 per pound for high-end Black Angus or grass-fed steamship rounds from full-service local butchers.

Grocery Chains Offer Convenience and Flexibility

Mainstream grocery stores like Kroger, Publix, Safeway, and Albertsons may not have the same premium beef offerings as warehouse clubs and specialty purveyors. But major chains do stock choice grade steamship rounds regularly in their fresh meat cases.

What you sacrifice in top quality, you gain in convenience and flexibility when buying steamship rounds at large supermarkets. Most grocery store steamship roasts range from 8 to 15 pounds, letting you choose a size to suit your needs. Prices tend to run from $6 to $9 per pound.

Watch for steamship round sales right before major holidays when stores promote roasts. Choose a roast with good marbling and a deep, cherry-red color for optimal flavor and tenderness. Supermarkets also let you buy just what you need from full steamship rounds at their butcher counters.

Best Practices for Purchasing and Preparing

Whichever source you use, follow these tips for picking out the perfect steamship round roast:

• Look for solid white fat marbling through the meat for tenderness. Avoid dark spots or dry areas.

• Check that the roast feels dense and firms, not mushy. Soft spots mean spoilage.

• Give the roast a sniff before buying. It should have an earthy, meaty smell, not sour odors.

• Plan on cooking roasts within 4 days, and refrigerate immediately.

• Place roasts in pan with fatty side up to baste meat for maximum juiciness.

• Cook slow, at 225°F to 250°F until meat hits 140°F for medium rare doneness.

With proper selection and preparation, steamship round makes for incredible hearty feasts. Now that you know where to find the best deals on these flavorful roasts, it’s time to start cooking. Gather your family or invite a hungry crowd and dive into melt-in-your-mouth tender steamship round beef.