Depending on where you are, it is commonly known that prime Rib is usually only ordered during special and festive occasions. As its name implies, prime Rib is a unique, delicious, and flavourful piece of steak. This cut of meat will cost you, but it indeed is worth it by the time you get to dig in. Can You Buy Prime Rib at the Grocery Store?. Let’s have a look at what I’ve found out after researching the subject.
Yes, the prime Rib can be bought at grocery stores. However, not just any grocery store. Only higher-end and rated stores stock this cut of steak. When looking in the meat section for prime Rib, note that it might also be listed either as Rib roast, Standing rib roast, or Beef-bone-in-rib-roast. If you cannot find prime Rib at your local high-end grocery store, you will most definitely be given the option to order it.
Why is Prime Rib not available in all grocery stores?
Due to its high price, most customers are reluctant to pay so much. Even if it is for a cut of steak quite exquisite as Prime Rib, you wouldn’t be able to find it in every store because of its price.
This low demand has resulted in only higher-end grocery stores and some prominent supermarkets stocking the meat.
Since it is the best-rated and rarest quality of meat, the most frequent buyers of prime Rib are hotels and renowned restaurants.
This is the reason why it isn’t found in every grocery store or supermarket. Depending on the demand, it isn’t feasible for every store to stock prime rib.
There is, however, one place that will always stock prime Rib, and that is your local butchery store. So, if you cannot wait to place an order at the grocery store, then your next stop will be the butchery.
How to Select the Best Kind of Prime Rib from the Grocery Store or Butchery?
When selecting a piece of prime Rib, ordering it doesn’t always mean that you are getting the best quality of steak.
Like with all other meats, you get different qualities of the same cuts from different animals. This could be because of what the animals ate, the age of the animals before they were slaughtered, the aging process on the cuts of meat, etcetera.
So, before purchasing your piece of prime Rib, make sure to ask the butcher for a piece that has milky-white fat instead of a dull yellow color. The steak must also be a bright cherry-red color; it should never be a dull grey, blue or green.
As for the meat quality, it must be rated USDA first grade. This is also known as Prime grade. However, do not just rely on the grading by the USDA.
Since meat quality differs with each animal, it is best to always check. Have a look at the meat and note whether it is fresh meat or not. Note the color, the texture, and the marbling of the steak.
Marbling is the look of the meat that resembles a piece of marble – the intramuscular fat with white streaks in it.
Always ask the attendant serving you about the cut and the grade of the meat. If they do not have a prime grade, they will most definitely have a Choice grade.
This option is cheaper but not of the same quality and taste as Prime Rib. The option after Choice is Select grade meat and thereafter is Standard grade. If the meat is not graded, you should steer clear of it.
Is there any difference between prime Rib and ribeye?
When shopping in the meat section of a high-end or rated grocery store, or even the butchery, you may have come across Rib’s eye.
One may wonder if the two are the same thing but, that is not the case. Yes, they both have the word ‘rib’ in them, and they both come from the rib area of a cow.
However, the difference is that they come from different parts of the rib area. They differ in size, quality, and taste. These two are even cooked differently.
Ribeye contains more intramuscular fat with white specks, whereas the prime Rib has more rib bone, fat and is surrounded by connecting tissue.
Prime Rib is larger than the rib eye. It is also majorly used for roasting. And when it comes to taste and flavor, the Prime Rib will always surpass the rib eye.
Due to these differences, prime Rib is always pricier than a rib eye.
Ordering Prime Rib at the Grocery Store or Butcher
If your grocery store or local butchery does not have any prime rib in stock, they will most probably give you the option to order the premium cut of steak.
If you are given this option, it is essential for you to know certain factors before placing the order. I’ve listed these essential points below.
- It is essential to know the cut and grade of meat you intend on purchasing. The grades vary from prime, choice, select to standard. It would help if you mentioned that it should be a prime rib or standing rib roast for the attendant to know the specific cut of meat you would like to purchase.
- It would help if you informed the attendant whether you would like to have the prime Rib with or without bones.
- The piece of prime Rib should not be trimmed at all unless there are pieces of meat hanging off it. Then only should you consider it being trimmed?
- Make sure to go for aged meat. Most butchers like to age the meat before selling it. This helps increase the texture and flavor to its optimum level.
- As for the size, bigger is best.
Since you’re paying quite a fee for this slice of beef, it isn’t wrong to be picky about the quality you are purchasing. You would only feel satisfied if the Prime Rib was worth that amount.
Therefore, make sure to be insistent on the grade and cut of beef you intend on purchasing. You should get good-quality steak at the end of the day.
Conclusion
Prime Rib can’t be found at every single grocery store. However, you will find it at high-end or prominent grocery stores.
If your local high-end grocery stores are out of stock and you cannot wait to order one, then you most definitely will find some prime rib at your nearest butchery.
Before purchasing the cut of prime Rib, it is essential to check on the grade, cut, quality, and marbling of the meat. Make sure that the prime Rib is fresh, tender, and juicy. It should be a dark, cherry red color with milky white colored fat.
