Is the Most Expensive Meat Kobe Beef, Wagyu, or Iberico Ham?

When it comes to meat, price usually reflects quality, rarity, and fat content. The most expensive meat options in the world offer rich flavor, exceptional marbling, and a luxurious texture that goes beyond the typical steak or pork chop.

1. Japanese Kobe Beef

Raw Japanese Kobe beef sliced — Raw Japanese Kobe beef, sliced. joesayhello / Shutterstock

Raised in Japan's Hyogo Prefecture, Japanese Kobe beef comes from Japanese black cattle known for their exquisite marbling and buttery texture.

This expensive meat is regulated under strict standards, and only beef from this region and breed earns the Kobe name. It's graded A5, the highest possible grade in Japan’s beef grading system.

2. Olive Wagyu

Even rarer than Kobe, Olive Wagyu comes from Japanese cows fed pressed olive pulp. The result is a rich flavor and delicate, silky texture.

With very few cattle raised and limited production, this is one of the most expensive meats by the pound.

3. American Wagyu Beef

A cross between wagyu cattle and black angus, American Wagyu beef offers a good steak with high fat content and a tender texture. Though not as regulated as Japanese wagyu, this expensive steak cut delivers exceptional quality and taste.

4. Filet Mignon

Raw Filet Mignon — Raw filet mignon. Brent Hofacker / Shutterstock

Known for its tenderness, filet mignon is cut from the tenderloin and is one of the most expensive steak cuts in restaurants.

Each steer yields only around one pound of filet mignon, so its limited supply drives up the price. A good filet mignon has a luxurious mouth feel and cooks quickly.

5. Iberico Ham

This cured ham from Spain is made from black Iberian pigs that feed on acorns during their final fattening period. The fat melts at body temperature, giving it a rich, nutty flavor.

Iberico ham is among the most expensive meats because of its long curing process and strict farming practices.

6. Bresse Chicken

Dubbed the “champagne of chickens,” Bresse chicken is a French delicacy. These birds are raised under specific conditions, fed carefully, and allowed to roam. The result is flavorful meat with a firm texture. Even the bones and skin are part of its appeal.

7. Wagyu Ribeye

Among wagyu cuts, the ribeye is prized for its balance of fat and flavor. With its tender texture and marbled fat, a wagyu ribeye delivers both mouth feel and taste. This expensive steak is often featured in high-end recipes and tasting menus.

We created this article in conjunction with AI technology, then made sure it was fact-checked and edited by a HowStuffWorks editor.