Prime brisket is the highest grade and is given only to young cows that have exceptional marbling. Prime is the grade that is sold to restaurants and hotels, though you occasionally will find it in your local grocery store. Prime grade beef tends to cost more than other grades.

Select and Prime are at opposite ends of the beef grades. A Prime grade brisket will contain a higher level of marbling than other beef grades. Plus, it’s more expensive. Prime beef is mostly used in restaurants, so you rarely see Prime briskets in stores. Select grade brisket is lean, and the lack of fat means the meat may dry out.

The two most common terms used for grading brisket are Prime and Choice. Source: USDA The most notable difference between the choice and prime grades is the level of fat throughout the cut. Prime cuts tend to have a lot more intramuscular fat than the choice cuts, giving it a richer, juicier texture and taste. Choice cuts are a lot leaner.