I confess , when the people of Walmart pitched me to try their new category of steaks, I was skeptical. Honestly I really don’t shop at Walmart, and never for food.  The main reason is that there aren’t many around me.  But Chicago has a few and seems to be expanding.It seems Walmart has done a steak over. It’s about time, as people are getting more selective in the meats they are purchasing. Their previous offerings were a lower priced Select in the white trays. Scott Neal , the VP of fresh meat and seafood is the driving force behind the new range of  Choice T-Bones, NY Strips,Filet, Ribeyes, and Top Sirloin that meet the rigorous USDA standards assuring quality and most important safety. These steaks are different by being packaged in Black trays.

• Only 1 in 5 steaks qualifies for the Choice program.
• Walmart USDA Choice steaks are certified by the USDA for quality.
• Walmart USDA Choice steaks are aged for their tenderness and flavor.
• Walmart USDA Choice steaks are always packaged fresh.
• Walmart’s USDA Choice steaks come with a 100% money back guarantee . If you aren’t satisfied  just bring back your steak for a full refund.
• 

In perusing a few threads, I’m finding people like me were skeptical, and actually are giving the new steaks a try and are seeing the definite improvement. So last week I got to participate in a webinar with  award-winning Chef Eric Lackey of The Flamestone American Grill in Olsamar , Florida . He shared a few simple recipes for grilling and  steaks for the  grilling season. It’s all part of the Walmart Choice Steak Challenge. On the menu were:

• Grilled Beefsteak Tomato with Himalayan Pick Rock Salt Crust
• Grilled Ribeye with Everglades Rub
• Coca- Cola Balsamic Marinated Bermuda Onion

You can see Chef here work his magic and walk through the recipes. My favorite recipe was the rub for the steaks. I didn’t have the Everglades seasoning, but used the coffee based rub recipe as a base. The flavor was awesome and really complemented the NY Strips I used in place of the favored Ribeye. I added halved leeks to the Coco-Cola Balsamic Marinated Bermuda Onions. I found the quality of the steaks very good and better than what I was expecting. Nice marbleizing , thickness and tenderness. And the value was  still there. Keep up the good progress Walmart.

Grilled Ribeye with Everglades Rub

 

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Chef Eric Lackeys of The Flamestone American Grill in Olsamar , FL recipe created on behalf of the Walmart Steak Challenge presented by Kingsford charcoal and Coco-Cola

Author: Eric Lackey

Recipe type: entree

Ingredients

• 4 Walmart Choice Premium Ribeye Steaks
• 1 head roasted garlic ( roast garlic in oven until golden brown and soft to mash)
• 4 tablespoons Everglades seasoning ( available at Walmart)
• 1 teaspoon ground coffee
• 1 teaspoon brown sugar
• ¼ teaspoon dry thyme
• ¼ teaspoon ground cumin
• ¼ teaspoon dry mustard
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon onion powder
• ¼ teaspoon chili powder
• ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper

Instructions

1. Combine all dry ingredients . Set aside.
2. Rub each steak with an equal portion of roasted garlic paste on front and back. To prevent burning, don't let garlic paste get on the bone.
3. Divide and rub seasoning on the four steaks and cover . Place in the refrigerator for 3-4 hours. This can be done a day in advance.
4. Preheat the grill until the perfect grilling temperature. ( if using coal until the briquettes are consistently ashed over)
5. Remove steaks from the refrigerator and let come to room temperature.
6. Place steaks on the grill and leave in one position on direct heat for 4-5 minutes, rotating to get nice grill marks and even flavor profile.Follow this timeline for medium rare.

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*Disclosure . Walmart provided two $25 gift cards to try the new Walmart Choice Steaks. My opinions are my own.