Argentine Ribeye Steaks Arrived at Trader Joe's

Trader Joe’s is now stocking ribeye and other steaks from Argentina. Here is what you need to know.

I’ve been hearing a lot in the news lately about more beef coming in from Argentina. Still, I hadn’t spotted any in the grocery stores I visit. That changed today, when I saw a sign advertising that some of the steaks, including a ribeye, were now from Argentina.

What Steaks Are from Argentina?

I noticed the following steaks were labeled as a product of Argentina:

Ribeye
New York Strip
Filet Mignon

Those were the only cuts I saw with the Argentina label. I didn’t see it on the ground beef or anything else. The beef carried no grade at all, so it didn’t say USDA Choice or Prime. I did see a US inspection label on the packaging. Grading is technically optional. I’ve personally noticed that a lot of small operations skip it, since having meat graded costs money.

How Much Did They Cost?

The ribeye steaks were $17.99/lb, and the New York strips were $15.99/lb. The store also carried each of these steaks labeled as premium USDA Choice Angus beef. Those ribeyes were $21.99/lb and the New York strips were $20.99/lb. In both cases, the Argentine beef was cheaper.

How Do the Prices of Ribeyes at Trader Joe’s Compare to Other Stores?

Nothing about the beef quality at Trader Joe’s stands out to me personally. I think other stores can do better. That said, I think ribeye steaks are good no matter what. I compared the Argentine ribeye price at Trader Joe’s with prices at other grocery stores, and here is what I found:

Costco – $17.99/lb
Sam’s Club – $15.97/lb
Kroger – $20.99/lb
ALDI – $12.99/lb (for grass-fed)
Publix – $15.99/lb

The lower price on the Argentine ribeye makes Trader Joe’s more competitive with these other stores. It still isn’t the cheapest, though, and it lands right on par with Costco. Keep the quality of the steaks in mind as well.

Ribeye vs. New York Strip

As you can see, New York Strips cost less than ribeye steaks at Trader Joe’s. That’s pretty common at a lot of grocery stores. So what is the real difference?

I believe ribeye steaks have a stronger beefy flavor than strip steaks. Think about it this way: a filet mignon is tender, but it doesn’t have the strongest flavor. A strip steak comes from that same area.

Ribeye steaks tend to be fattier. I notice that New York strip steaks have a more uniform texture, and the meat feels more solid throughout. Some people enjoy that eating experience more.

When I slice up a cooked ribeye, there are usually pieces I discard because they’re too fatty. I believe you get more usable meat out of a NY Strip than a ribeye.

Which one is better? I think it really comes down to choosing between flavor and texture. Ribeyes bring more flavor and fat to the table, which makes them more finger licking good. NY Strips, on the other hand, have a more uniform texture that isn’t too fatty.

In my household, my wife likes the New York Strip better. I like the ribeye better.

What Do You Think?

What do you feel about beef being imported from Argentina? I imagine we’ll see it more and more in the coming months at different stores. I’m not sure everyone will advertise it the way Trader Joe’s did.