I’m responsible for bringing ten steaks to a family gathering. I can buy USDA Prime Top Sirloin or USDA Choice Strip Steaks for approximately the same price. Which should I get? The sirloin might be more flavorful but the strips will be more tender. They will be grilled on a gas grill. Thanks!
I don’t know about American cuts of meat. But, given a choice between flavour and tenderness, flavour wins every time with me.
As an aside, it’s an issue for me when I’ve visited America over the decades and thought about steak. I’ve always found that American steaks are much more tender than European ones but very much lack the flavour. In recent visits, I’ve rarely ordered steak because of this and usually find something tastier on a menu.
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If it’s listed, try grass-fed beef. That tends to be better than grain-finished beef.
And for @zackly I’d go for flavor. The Prime should have more fat marbling, which will melt into the beef as it grills, keeping it tender (provided it’s not overcooked). This article might give some idea of the marbling. Scroll down a bit for comparisons of Choice vs. Prime and examples of marbling.
Agreed, Linda. That said, I think it’s a combo of different circumstances - grass/grain, breed, age at slaughter, length of dry aging, etc.
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Then get the Strip Steaks.
Even if it is a lower grade at Choice.
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I agree with Fatty 
Prime top sirloin should be tender enough and the flavor is always better than strip.
I also agree with @LindaWhit’s advice to try grass fed for more flavor when visiting US. It may be a bit less tender but there’s something about the flavor that’s hard to describe but very enjoyable to me.
