Trader Joe’s Expands Its Meat Selection With 3 Premium Steak Cuts

Trader Joe’s may already be a staple in your weekly grocery run, but if you’re anything like us, it’s rarely your only stop. While the budget-friendly, California-based grocer offers an excellent selection of snacks and frozen meals, you might still find a few unchecked items on your list — particularly in the meat and fish department.

That may be about to change. Trader Joe’s just announced an exciting expansion to its meat selection, introducing three new premium cuts — giving you a reason to rethink weeknight dinners and potentially skip the butcher shop altogether. As highlighted in the chain’s February Fearless Flyer, the grocer now offers filet mignon, ribeye, and New York strip steaks.

Each of these cuts comes from 100% pasture-raised Angus beef, one of the most common breeds in the United States. They’re also graded as Choice, just one step below the USDA’s highest distinction, Prime. (For reference, Prime cuts are typically found in fine dining restaurants, hotels, and high-end establishments, while Choice — containing around 4–10% fat — is commonly served at most restaurants.)

Trader Joe’s hints that this isn’t the only change coming to stores — but for now, this is what we know.

Filet mignon 

Perhaps the most premium of these three cuts is this cut of beef tenderloin, a deep red steak that’s known for its tenderness. You’ll typically pay a bit more for it, but Trader Joe’s is offering this sought-after cut for the cheaper end of the spectrum. 

The cow’s diet and lifestyle heavily contribute to marbling on a piece of steak (as in the amount of intramuscular fat within the cut), which contributes to the richness of this final dish. Trader Joe’s deems these two grass-fed beef patties “restaurant-quality,” and it’ll set you back around $21 a pound. 

Rib eye

Tender rib-cut steaks are also an easy choice at the grocery store. Trader Joe’s is offering its version, which has a significant amount of fat, for around $15 per pound. As with these other Choice cuts, tenderness typically isn’t a concern when cooking this one — the meat is already fairly tender — so we’d suggest cooking this one on high heat for a few minutes. 

New York strip steak

It’s hard to pass up this classic steak cut, especially at such an excellent price. Similar to Trader Joe’s other offerings, this steak is cut from pasture-raised Angus. It includes a decent amount of fat, which gives it a distinct marbled look that’s standard with strip steak. Of all the new cuts, it’s the cheapest by weight, ringing up at nearly $14 a pound. We’d recommend searing them over medium-high heat for a fantastic Strip Steak Frites dinner. 

Other steak cuts

Trader Joe’s doesn’t have an expansive butcher’s section, but it does cover the basics. Beyond the new steak selection, you’ll find ultra-thin shaved beef steak and Choice Premium Angus Beef Flank Steak. (The latter, which formerly appeared to be the only steak cut, is offered at $14.99 per pound.) 

The chain also offers two pre-marinated versions (Sesame Teriyaki Skirt Steak and Balsamic Rosemary Steak Tips) for maximum convenience. These two meats, both USDA Choice Angus, arrived packaged with the marinade.