What’s the Difference Between USDA Meat and Angus Meat?
I get asked this all the time when helping clients plan menus:
“Chef, what’s the difference between USDA meat and Angus beef? Is one better than the other?”
Great question! Let’s break it down so next time you’re ordering steak (or hiring us for your next event), you’ll know exactly what you’re getting on the plate.
USDA Meat Grading — It’s About Quality
When you see the USDA stamp (Prime, Choice, or Select), it’s a grade of quality, not a type of cow. The USDA (United States Department of Agriculture) grades beef based on:
Marbling (fat within the meat, which gives flavor and tenderness)
Age of the animal (younger beef = more tender)
Here’s a quick refresher:
Prime → Highest marbling and tenderness. The good stuff.
Choice → Great flavor, good marbling. What we use often.
Select → Leaner, less marbling.
At Bread Crumbs Catering, I choose the USDA grade depending on your event and budget. Want steaks that melt in your mouth? I’ll go Prime. Feeding a large corporate group with a leaner preference? Select or Choice might be the right pick.
Angus Beef — It’s About Breed
Now let’s talk about Angus.
Angus refers to a breed of cattle — originally from Scotland — known for producing beef with great flavor and consistent marbling. You’ll often see labels like:
Certified Angus Beef® (CAB): This is beef from Angus cattle that meets strict quality standards (in fact, it has to grade USDA Choice or higher).
But here’s the kicker: Not all Angus beef is Prime or Choice — and not all Prime or Choice beef is Angus. You can have USDA Prime Angus beef, or you could have USDA Prime beef from another breed entirely.
So What’s the Bottom Line?
👉 USDA grading = quality of the meat (Prime, Choice, Select)
👉 Angus = breed of the cattle (known for great beef)
When you combine the two — like Certified Angus USDA Prime — you get an incredible steak. That’s what I love to serve at premium dinners when clients want the best of the best.
At Bread Crumbs Catering, we believe in transparency and quality. I always help clients choose the right beef for their menu — because knowing where your food comes from and how it’s graded makes all the difference.
Ready to plan an event with beef that brings the wow?
👉 Check out our menu
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