In the beef industry, everybody knows Wagyu beef and it’s because of two things—it’s extremely delicious and expensive. The average price of authentic Japanese Wagyu per pound will cost you at $250 per pound—yes, that is only per pound. However, what if you have American Wagyu on your hands? This is more affordable, yet it’s still on the pricey side because after all, it’s still one of the best beefs out there today.
Besides the price of the steak itself, where you bought it will influence the price because the restaurant or store will add charges on top of the price.
Wagyu: Price Per Pound
Being the most prized beef in the world, expect to shell out a lot of money to sink your teeth into this type of meat. It can go high as $200 per pound, while you can get the rarest steak, which is the olive wagyu, between $120 and $300 per pound.
An American Wagyu beef will cost at around $10-$15 per pound, depending on where you buy it from.
Save Money on Wagyu Beef
The price per pound of Wagyu beef is shocking. Luckily, there are ways to save some money on this.
For one, you can check out local supermarkets between 6 pm and 8 pm to get discounts. At this time, you can find them discounted at 40-50%. Go on, give it a shot!
Make Sure it’s The Real Deal
Since you will be spending a lot of money on a piece (or pieces) of meat, you need to ensure that it’s the real thing. Unfortunately, it’s challenging to determine if a steak is truly Wagyu—the one that came all the way from Japan and is A4 graded.
There are ways to check for the Wagyu’s authenticity:
- Give it a good look: A real and raw Wagyu steak is so thoroughly marbled, which means that it should look pink and not bright red. You will also notice the fat has little dots of white distributed throughout the muscle. An American Wagyu has less marbling compared to a Japanese beef Wagyu.
- Buy from a reputable vendor: This is the most sensible thing to do if you want to ensure you’re getting the real Wagyu beef. Get it from a reputable vendor or restaurant, but don’t be afraid to ask questions. If the meat is imported, the vendor or restaurant can tell you the specific prefecture it’s from.
- Boneless: This is another important thing to know—imported Wagyu beef is always boneless. So, if someone claims it’s authentic Wagyu but it comes with a bone, move ahead and look for a different supplier.
But Why Is it So Expensive?
As mentioned, Wagyu is the most prized beef in the world, which is why its price shouldn’t come as a shock. If you’re wondering why it’s the most prized beef, it is due to its marbling responsible for the meat’s umami flavor. It also makes the meat juicy and tender.
Also, since Wagyu fat melts at a low temperature because of its fatty acid profile, it delivers a rich, buttery flavor that you won’t get from other types of beef.
Now that you know how much it would likely cost you when you decide to buy Wagyu beef, you better make it worth your while. Only get it from a reputable vendor or restaurant to ensure the best quality.
