Best Quality Cut of Roast Beef

Don't get stuck at the meat counter without knowing the best beef cut for roast beef! It's important to understand the variety of quality beef cuts available to give you the best flavor at the right price.

Some beef cuts are leaner (bottom round roast), less expensive, and benefit from cooking low and slow for long periods. While premium cuts of beef like prime rib roast have lots of marbling throughout and are easier and more forgiving to cook.

Each has its signature flavor, marbling, price, and optimal cooking method from rib eye, rump roast, tenderloin, and chuck roast.

Let's dive into the BEST beef cuts for roast beef and why they're the best.

Contents

Quick Reference
Top Roast Beef Cuts Explained
How does grading affect beef?
Where to buy the best roasts?
Delicious Roast Beef Recipes
Related Cooking How-tos

Quick Reference

Quickly reference the best beef cuts for roast beef!

Best Premium Cuts

Drool-worthy holiday cuts in the $20 per pound range.

tenderloin roast (loin primal)
standing rib roast (rib primal)
ribeye roast (rib primal)
petite chuck tender roast (chuck primal)

Best Mid-Range Cuts

Perfect balance between marbling (fat), flavor, and price (around $10 per pound).

strip roast, new york strip roast (loin primal)
cross rib roast (chuck primal)
chuck roll roast (chuck primal)
shoulder clod roast (chuck primal)
tri-tip roast (sirloin primal)

Best Inexpensive Cuts

These lean, inexpensive cuts of beef are a fantastic way to feed a family and are ideally suited for thinly sliced roast beef when cooked properly—typically starting around $5 per pound.

sirloin roast (sirloin primal)
ball tip roast (sirloin primal)
rump roast (round primal)
bottom round roast (round primal)
top round roast (round primal)
eye of round roast (round primal)

Top Roast Beef Cuts Explained

With so many delicious cuts of meat sitting on the butcher's counter to choose from, it can seem overwhelming to select the perfect roast. Below, I'll explain the best cuts that fit your budget!

Best Premium Cuts Explained

These premium cuts are packed with rich beefy flavor, deep marbling and are extremely tender. However, they are expensive and best reserved for special events and holiday meals.

Tenderloin used in this stunning beef wellington — Tenderloin used in this stunning Beef Wellington

Tenderloin Roast

Tenderloin is the crème de la crème of all beef roasts and is situated under the spine without any fat content. It's pure, delicious lean meat that is always juicy and tender however you cook it.

most expensive cut of beef ($20+ per pound)
ideal for special occasions like holidays and valentines
easy to roast and very forgiving

Standing Rib Roast (Prime Rib)

Highly regarded as one of the best roasts in the world and is commonly referred to as prime rib roast. This beef cut boasts a nearly perfect balance between marbling (fat) and comes with an unparalleled beefy flavor.

expensive cut for roast beef ($20+ per pound)
bone-in with 2-7 ribs (pay more for less meat)
classic holiday cut that feeds a crowd

Ribeye Roast

The ribeye is considered one of the best cuts of beef and comes with a higher price tag than other cuts - and for a good reason!
It's very well-marbled, meaning it becomes incredibly tender and juicy, bursting with flavor, and is perfect for frying or roasting. If you're looking for something special to treat your family or for an event, ribeye is an excellent choice if you're not bothered by the price.

boneless version of standing rib roast (prime rib)
similar pricing but more meat as a result of no bones
slightly less flavorful due to less fat and no bones

Petite Chuck Tender Roast

This unknown cut of beef is the second most tender after the tenderloin. Also known as butcher's steak, shoulder tender, and bistro filet, this beef cut is considered lean, flavorful, and more affordable version of tenderloin.

incredibly tender and about half the price of tenderloin
lean with well-balanced flavor
a lovely option for date night (2 people)

Best Mid-Range Cuts Explained

These mid-ranged beef cuts are balanced in flavor, marbling, and price. Making them fun to cook, delicious, and the perfect weekend treat.

Strip Roast (New York Strip Roast)

Strip Roast or New York strip roast is a fantastic mid-range cut for roast beef. This delicious cut of meat is a leaner and less expensive version of the standing rib (prime rib).

fantastic mid-range roast typically around $10+ per pound
leaner than premium roasts but holds its own
rising in popularity thanks to its balanced flavor, fat, and price

Cross Rib Roast

This roast is often called shoulder roast, arm roast, and even chuck roast and comes from the chuck primal cut. As we move through mid-range cuts, we'll slowly transition from high-heat cooking to low-heat cooking methods.

lean cut that favors low heat slow cooking like pot roast
loaded with rich beefy flavor
tougher meat when cooked on high-heat

Chuck Roll Roast

Chuck roast is located on the cow's shoulder and is commonly used to make burgers because of the high-fat content ratio to meat, resulting in juicy, flavorful burgers. Still, it also makes a succulent beef stew a perfect pot roast.
Chuck is one of the best beef cuts for quality of marbling and price. When slow roasting this flavorful beef cut, you can expect very tender meat that falls apart and melts in your mouth, and it's an inexpensive cut, meaning it's perfect for families on a budget.

large boneless roast
mix of tender and tough
produces smaller roasts like chuck eye roast and chuck under blade

Shoulder Clod Roast

Clod roasts are also known for their rich beefy flavor. This larger cut often makes up a top blade, shoulder center, and shoulder tender.

beefier than chuck roll roast
larger roast may require breaking it down
easier to slice thinly

Tri-Tip Roast

A typical tri tip roast is only 2 pounds (mini beef brisket) and from the bottom tip of the sirloin. This roast is easy to recognize, thanks to its triangular shape. Rich in meaty flavor, boneless, and relatively tender.

smaller roast averaging 2 pounds
growing in popularity, thanks to its price and flavor
often referred to as California's cut or Santa Maria Steak

Best Inexpensive Cuts Explained

These inexpensive cuts are lean, tough cuts perfect for oven roasting at low heat. Sliced thinly, these cuts make great deli roast beef. Cooked properly, you can create some fantastic dinners with these inexpensive cuts.

Eye of round roast thinly sliced with roasted garlic and vegetables. — Eye of round roast thinly sliced.

Sirloin Tip Roast

The sirloin tip roast doesn't contain any marbling but still yields tons of flavor and is perfect for slow cooking. This lean roast will cost a little bit more than other beef cuts because it is a lean cut, but it's definitely worth its price tag for the amount of flavor it yields.

firmer roast that can be tricky to cook
lean with minimal fat
viable option for roast beef

Ball Tip Roast

This roast is similar in size to the tri tip roast mentioned above. However, unlike the tri tip, this roast has less marbling and tends to be less juicy if cooked past medium-rare.

smaller roast ideal for 2-4 people
great roast for marinades
can be tricky to carve

Rump Roast

Rump roasts, while inexpensive, are extremely popular and economical for a large family. You can magically transfer this lean cut into a fantastic meal when seasoned and cooked low and slow.

cook low and slow for fantastic results
large enough to ensure adequate leftovers
easy to slice thin for roast beef

Bottom Round Roast

This cut checks all the boxes if you're looking for deli roast beef. Tougher roasts tend to offer the exact characteristics required for perfect roast beef. This classic beef roast is lean, flavorful, inexpensive, and easy to carve thinly.

perfectly suited for deli roast beef
cook low and slow for best results
fantastic option for leftover roast beef recipes

Eye of Round Roast

Eye of round is a fantastic option for thinly sliced roast beef. While not suited to high-temperature cooking, the eye of round is perfect slow-cooked and oven-roasted. As with most lean cuts, slicing thin makes it easier to eat.

great backup option for roast beef
easy to slice thinly
cook low and slow for best results

How does grading affect beef?

Grading beef is all about identifying the quality of the meat. Governed by the USDA, the most widely used grades are Prime, Choice, and Select.

USDA Prime

Prime beef is the highest grade, contains significant marbling with 8-13% fat, and comes from young cattle. Roughly 2% of beef is graded Prime.

USDA Choice

Choice beef is mid-grade beef, contains well-marbled beef with 4-10% fat, and comes from young cattle.

USDA Select

Select beef is the lowest consumer grade and is easily found in grocery stores. Choice beef contains slight marbling with 2-4% fat, significantly less than prime cuts.

Why Grading is Important

When selecting a roast, pay attention to the roast's grade. In some cases, a prime strip roast (more marbling) will produce better results than a choice rib eye roast (less marbling).

I routinely find inexpensive to mid-range USDA Prime roasts that deliver fantastic value compared to premium USDA choice and select roasts. Grade makes a difference!

Where to buy the best roasts?

From bulk stores like Costco, Sam's Club, Walmart, and HEB to your local butcher and even online options. Where can you find the best roasts?

Eye of round roasts are commonly found in select, choice and sometimes prime.

Local Butcher

If you're lucky enough to have a butcher in your neighborhood, you're sure to find high-quality roasts at reasonable prices. Click here to find butchers near you!

Grocery Stores

If a local butcher isn't an option, your next best options are Costco, Sam's Club, Walmart, and HEB. Most of these stores will have newsletters and sales that help a lot.

Ordering Meat Online

A fast-growing industry that offers a wide selection, reasonable prices, and perfectly fits anyone with a busy lifestyle.

Crowd Cow - Get $100 of Free Meat, plus Free Shipping.
ButcherBox - Get 1 pack of 100% grass-fed ground beef.
Perdue Farms - Panorama Organic Grass-fed Tri-Tip Roast

If you're looking for the best beef and specifically the best prime roasts, ordering meat online may be your best option. You'll pay a premium for organic grass-fed beef without antibiotics or hormones.

Beef is expensive! Read how to save money on beef and compare trending beef prices.

Delicious Roast Beef Recipes

Here are my two favorite every day roast beef recipes. Not only do these roast make an amazing dinner, they make even better leftovers.

Amazing Bottom Round Roast
Drool Worthy Smoked Tri-Tip
Slow Roasted "Eye of Round Roast" with Chimichurri

Love this dinner recipe? Please leave a 5-star 🌟rating in the recipe card below and/or a review in the comments section further down the page.

Try one of my quick, easy, and affordable dinner recipes for your next family meal! And if you have any questions, I'm here to help!

If you're new to cooking, roasting, or slow cooking, you'll find these cooking how-tos invaluable.

Beef Internal Temperature: Degree of Doneness
How to Cook Low and Slow
How to use a meat thermometer
Cheap Beef Cuts: Save money on Beef!

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Best Quality Cut of Roast Beef