It has at least a slight amount of marbling.
Usda choice marbling.
View the marbling image for slight jpg.
Usda select has only slight marbling.
Noticeable marbling but not a lot.
Select beef is very uniform in quality and normally leaner than the higher grades.
Usda prime beef has the highest marbling score or fat content followed by usda choice.
About half of all beef is marked usda choice.
Marbling is described by one of the following classifiers.
For the choice grade the minimum degree of marbling required is a minimum small amount for carcasses throughout the range of maturity permitted in the bullock class.
Marbling the amount of intramuscular fat in the section of ribeye inspected by the usda.
Otherwise get a higher grade.
If you know what you are doing you can make this stuff tender.
Just over half of the beef graded each year earns this grade.
For the select.
Yield grade the amount of fat between the outside of the ribeye and the skin fat that would basically turn to gristle when the steak is cooked.
Beef cuts with less marbling such as usda select can be cooked on the grill just like usda choice or usda prime grades but may need to be monitored a little closer and cooked a little less to keep it as tender as possible.
The ribeye muscle may be slightly soft and in carcasses having the maximum maturity for this class the ribeye is moderately light red in color.
It is fairly tender but because it has less marbling it may lack some of the juiciness and flavor of the higher grades.
This is a good option for backyard cooks.
Containing small to moderate marbling usda choice grade always delivers good beef flavor texture and tenderness.