Does Whole Foods Sell Wagyu Beef? A Guide to Finding This Premium Meat

Wagyu beef has become increasingly popular in recent years. Prized for its rich marbling and buttery flavor wagyu commands premium prices. This leads many foodies to wonder – does Whole Foods sell wagyu beef? Let’s take a detailed look at the availability and selection of wagyu at Whole Foods Market.

Overview of Wagyu Beef

First, what exactly is wagyu beef? Here’s a quick primer:

• Wagyu refers to specific Japanese cattle breeds like Kuroge Washu and Tajima-Gyu that are genetically predisposed to intense marbling

• The meat is renowned for its extensive fat marbling, which results in unmatched tenderness and flavor.

• True Kobe wagyu only comes from Hyogo prefecture in Japan Wagyu from other regions is typically crossbred with Angus or other cattle,

• Outside Japan, Australia produces a major supply of crossbred wagyu. American wagyu farms also exist.

• Due to small supply and high demand, wagyu is one of the most expensive meats globally. Prime cuts can cost over $200 per pound.

Availability of Wagyu Beef at Whole Foods

Now onto the main question – yes, Whole Foods does sell wagyu beef! However, selection and availability varies by location.

Some Whole Foods have an exclusive butcher counter that offers fresh wagyu cuts. Others may only carry packaged wagyu products or specialty prepared wagyu dishes. Availability depends on the region and individual store.

I surveyed my local Whole Foods stores in Austin, Texas to get an idea of in-store wagyu offerings:

• The flagship downtown location features an in-house butcher with various wagyu cuts like ribeye, tenderloin, ground meat, etc.

• Other locations had pre-packaged wagyu strips and medallions from EPIC Provisions and other brands.

• Prepared foods sections had wagyu meatballs, sausage, and other hot foods containing wagyu.

So while wagyu is sold at Whole Foods, the specific products range widely across stores. Check with your local butcher counter to see if they regularly stock fresh wagyu cuts. Or look for packaged wagyu items and prepared wagyu dishes.

Wagyu Beef Products at Whole Foods

Here are some of the specific wagyu beef products I found available at various Whole Foods locations:

• Fresh wagyu steaks – Ribeye, NY Strip, filet mignon, etc cut in-house by butcher

• Wagyu ground beef – Ideal for burgers and meatballs

• Wagyu jerky strips – Pre-packaged jerkies like from EPIC Provisions

• Wagyu hot dogs and sausages – Gourmet wagyu sausage rolls

• Wagyu meatballs – Found at hot and prepared foods bars

• Wagyu burgers – Premade gourmet wagyu burger patties

• Wagyu beef franks – Fancier versions of hot dogs containing wagyu

• Wagyu chili – Prepared chili using ground wagyu meat

• Wagyu tataki – Japanese carpaccio style dish

• Wagyu tartare – Raw wagyu finely chopped into a tartare

Again, specific offerings vary. But this covers many of the ways wagyu beef is sold at Whole Foods.

Pricing of Wagyu Beef at Whole Foods

Of course, being a luxury ingredient, wagyu beef does not come cheap. Here are some example prices I found:

• Wagyu ground beef – $19.99 per pound
• Wagyu sirloin steak – $34.99 per pound
• Wagyu ribeye steak – $49.99 per pound
• Wagyu jerky strips – $11.99 for 2 ounces
• Wagyu meatballs appetizer – $18.99 for 4 pieces

For comparison, regular ground beef is around $6 per pound at Whole Foods. So wagyu commands a giant premium.

Also note that authentic Japanese wagyu is even more expensive than domestic American-raised wagyu cattle.

Where to Find Wagyu at Whole Foods

If you’re seeking out wagyu, here are the key areas at Whole Foods to browse:

• Butcher Counter – Ask the butcher for availability of fresh wagyu cuts.

• Meat Department – Look for pre-packaged wagyu cuts and jerky.

• Prepared Foods – See if any dishes contain wagyu like meatballs.

• Hot Food Bar – Scan for wagyu chili, burgers, sausage and other hot items.

Sometimes wagyu pops up as a “Wagyu Wednesday” special or other promotion. So