Prime rib is also commonly known as ‘standing rib roast’ and is one of the most challenging cuts of beef to buy. It is one of those cuts that is absolutely incredible when it is good, and utterly disappointing when it is anything less than high-quality. So, how can you be sure that you are buying the best quality prime rib possible? Along with doing research into where to buy prime rib, you should look out for the following five signs:
Which Grade – USDA Prime or Choice?“USDA Prime” – top 8% of all US beef (a bit harder to find), heavy marbling that is evenly distributed.“USDA Choice” – moderate marbling and is a high-quality option that is available in most supermarkets.“Select” – value-priced, less marbling, potentially less tender and juicy.
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“USDA Prime” – top 8% of all US beef (a bit harder to find), heavy marbling that is evenly distributed.
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“USDA Choice” – moderate marbling and is a high-quality option that is available in most supermarkets.
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“Select” – value-priced, less marbling, potentially less tender and juicy.
Watch the Weight
A high-quality, full cut of prime rib should weigh at least 16 pounds (7 kg). Anything below that could mean that you are settling for sub-par quality.
Know What You Want
What is most important to you when it comes to prime beef? Is it tenderness? Or is it juiciness? If it is the former, opt to purchase a cut that contains ribs six to nine (also known as the chuck end) as this is certain to come with more fat. If it is the latter, buy a prime beef cut that includes ribs 10 to 12 (also known as the loin end) as these are leaner and more tender.
Beef Grades Explained – Select vs Choice vs Prime Steaks
FAQ
What grade of prime rib is the best?
What is the best cut of prime rib called?
How do you pick the best prime rib?
Which is a higher grade of beef Choice or prime?
How is prime rib graded?
It is graded based on tenderness, juiciness, and flavor. While there are actually 5 more designations (standard, commercial, utility, cutter, and canner) that rank below Select, Choice, and Prime, these are the three grade choices that you would be looking at when selecting a prime rib portion.
Is prime rib a good steak?
All prime rib is not prime grade steak, the highest rating assigned to steak based on heavy, even marbling (which makes for incredibly tender results). You can buy prime grade prime rib at a premium from high-end butchers. You can also buy choice grade, the second-best grade with less marbling. How Much Prime Rib Should I Buy?
How many ribs are in a prime rib roast?
At the butcher counter, in addition to being able to choose the grade of your prime rib roast, you can also decide if you want it to be cut from the chuck end or the loin end. Cows have 13 ribs on each side of their body with ribs 6-12 being the portion that is cut and sold as prime rib.
Is a prime rib a standing rib?
Now technically a prime rib is prime grade and anything else is referred to as a standing rib roast. These days, however, prime rib is a more general name and refers to the cut, not necessarily the quality. Of course, a prime grade is very expensive and hard to get so look for a choice or select grade. Ask the butcher, if you have a question.