Should You Buy Steak From Costco?

For the nights you want to impress a date with your grilling skills, mark a family member's accomplishment with a special meal, or simply want to indulge in one of the most luxurious foods around, it's hard to beat a perfectly cooked, juicy steak. Is there anything better than steak with red wine mushrooms for a romantic dinner or a balsamic grilled flank steak to say congratulations? Although perfect for celebrations and special occasions, unfortunately, steak has the same problem as many other upscale food items — depending on the cut, it can be quite costly. While there are stores that sell steaks at discounted prices, you don't want your quest for a cheaper option to mean that you end up with a lower-quality product. On top of that, with so many retailers to choose from, it can be hard to know if the steak you buy is worth the cost until you've already eaten it. Wholesale retailer Costco can be a source of quality steaks, but there are some factors to consider before making your purchase.

The most objective way to determine if Costco steaks are worth it is to look at the cost. A USDA Choice sirloin from Costco will run you around $12 per pound. While this is certainly cheaper than steaks from butchers or specialty stores, which can cost upwards of $20 a pound, it's still slightly more expensive than places like Walmart that sell the same cut for about $11 per pound. Prices will vary depending on where you shop and what cut of steak you're after, but Costco steaks are generally on the more affordable side.

Across the internet, most people seem pleased with the overall quality of Costco's steaks. Commenters on Reddit have praised various Costco cuts, calling the USDA Choice New York strip steak "delicious," the filet mignon "fantastic," and giving the beef tenderloin a 10 out of 10 rating. While some comments are less favorable in the subreddit r/Costco, others are quick to defend the steaks and suggest that quality may differ according to one's region.

One issue some consumers have with Costco's steaks, specifically Kirkland Signature brand steaks, is that they are blade tenderized. According to NPR, "This means the beef has been punctured with blades or needles to break down the muscle fibers and make it easier to chew. But it also means the meat has a greater chance of being contaminated and making you sick." 

These steaks shouldn't pose a problem if you cook them properly to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's recommended temperature of 145 degrees Fahrenheit. However, 145 degrees is only the temperature for medium doneness, so cooking these steaks to rare or even medium rare might be unsafe. If you're someone who likes their steaks bloody, you might want to be cautious of Costco's blade-tenderized steaks. But not every steak sold at Costco is from Kirkland Signature, and not all of them are blade tenderized, so pay close attention to the packaging when making your purchase.

One thing worth keeping in mind is that Costco's median steak selection is unmatched by other grocers. Along with selling bulk USDA Prime beef (only $13 per pound for sirloin), Costco also sells Wagyu beef, a typically Japanese meat heralded for its opulent marbling and incredible taste, but be prepared to fork over a bit more cash for these cuts.

As with almost anything purchased from Costco, if you do choose to buy its steaks, you're going to be buying in bulk. Costco's steaks are quite large and typically come four to a pack. That's enough to leave a family of four with leftovers, so unless you're cooking for a crowd, chances are you'll have some extra steak. "Too much steak" may seem like a great problem to have, but if you're low on storage space, it is worth considering before you invest in more than you know what to do with. If you find yourself in this position, consider cooking up all the steak for meal prep, or using vacuum seal bags to prepare the steaks for the freezer.

Overall, the question of whether or not you should buy Costco steaks is up to you and your personal tastes. There is certainly no harm in trying them out to see what you think. These steaks may not be the cheapest on the market, but if you're looking for quality steaks at a decent price, you can do much worse than buying from Costco.