I’ve always wondered how much difference there really is between the different grades of steak at Costco. So I decided to find out. Smile widens. I bought Choice, Prime and American Wagyu ribeyes from the South San Francisco Costco and grilled them side by side.The prices made for an interesting comparison. While I’ve never done it from Costco before, we’ve run this experiment with our local butcher a few times. It seems to make grilling extra fun. Plus, we paired it with a bottle of wine we purchased from Costco based on AI recommendations. Anyone who shops for quality meats knows it’s really hard to beat Costco day to day.Related: 55 Mouthwatering Steak Recipes to Bring the Steakhouse to Your Dinner Table
Comparing Costco Steak Prices: Choice, Prime and Wagyu
Paul Edmondson
Costco’s USDA Choice ribeye was $18.99 per pound. USDA Prime was $22.99, and American Wagyu was $26.99. In theory, each grade is more premium by price point, and each incremental improvement in quality is about $4 per pound, with American Wagyu over 40% more expensive than the perfectly tasty Choice cut.
The Grilling Method: Oak Wood & Temperature Setup
I cooked all three the same way, grilling them over oak and seasoning with pepper and garlic salt. I also cooked them to an internal temperature of 125 degrees. One note, I expected them to cook at slightly different rates—typically, dry-aged meat grills a bit quicker, but in this case, there was no discernible difference in cooking time.
At Costco, while looking through the packaging, I noticed the Wagyu was different. It appeared to have two to three times as much marbling as the Prime. After cooking, the difference was even more obvious. The Wagyu was exceptionally tender and buttery.
Is Costco American Wagyu Worth the Extra $4 per Pound?
For $4 per pound more than Prime, I thought the Wagyu was worth the splurge. I may be a bit biased here because our local butcher sells American Wagyu for over $40 a pound, so it feels like a great deal.
The surprise is the comparison between Choice and Prime.Related: The 15 Best Steak Cuts and How To Cook Them (Trust Us on This!)
Choice vs. Prime Ribeye: The Surprising Taste Test Result
The Prime looked better to me in the package. I preferred its deeper red color, and the steak had more visible marbling. But after grilling them, the difference between the Prime and Choice was minimal.
Final Verdict: My Costco Steak Buying Strategy
That makes my Costco steak-buying strategy pretty simple.
For an everyday ribeye, I’d buy the Choice at $18.99. If I’m going to spend another $4 per pound, I’d skip over Prime and spend another $4 to get the American Wagyu at $26.99.
It’s still fair to get all three and do your own taste test with the family. We call it a steak sampler:)
American Wagyu ribeye — $26.99/lb(Note: Pricing reflects the South San Francisco Costco warehouse on Sept. 28, 2026. Prices and inventory vary by location.)
Related Reading & Guides
Costco Wine Guide: How to use AI to find hidden gems in the Costco wine aisle. Grilling Basics: Reverse searing vs. direct grilling for thick-cut ribeyes. [Steak Cuts Explained]: 15 types of steaks and cuts explained by the author of Carnivore-ish.Hence then, the article about i grilled costco s choice prime and wagyu ribeyes side by side here s which one is worth it was published today ( ) and is available on Parade ( Saudi Arabia ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
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