Buying meat online is one of the easiest things to do - if this is what you had in mind, then perhaps you are one who has mastered that art or hasn't really started yet! For most of us, who are somewhere in the middle of those two extremes, buying gourmet steaks or simply ordering bulk meat products can be as difficult as trying to obtain organic meat from your local butcher shop!

So what do you do to ensure that you are having pure delicacies at dinner? Simple - try out some of the best steak buying guides online. While a lot of meat portals have them, a lot of independent researchers and writers have also compiled some. Now since you have come over here, we will enlighten you on the tips and tricks of buying meat online all at one go!

So here's a summarized steak buyers guide, without the fine lines of statistical gibberish -

• Grading - The USDA (The United States Department of Agriculture) has formed select segments to rate and distinguish beef based on their quality. These three segments have been named as "Prime", "Choice" and "Select" - in descending order of quality. So while buying gourmet steaks, check for the ratings. And in the absence of ratings, steak buying guides suggest that most such meat is 'Select', hence of the cheapest quality - so choose accordingly.

• Price - Prices are one more concern while buying meat online. Most steak guides are of the opinion that the best online meat portals charge fair prices (or the price that is average in the market). Hence, if you feel that a particular portal is charging you over-the-top for a rib, look around before investing in the same.

• Testimonials - Client testimonials also act as an ad-hoc steak buyers' guide, for they are a practical parameter to judge the quality of the steak or beef available online. It is best to talk to some real customers before you can adjudge the testimonials as real. Also try and look for credentials or ratings form the USDA - which can also be a good steak buying guide!

• Shipping costs - Shipping costs can also be a detrimental or encouraging factor in buying meat online. Make sure that you will have the steaks shipped fresh to you, and at completely justifiable prices. So if an online dealer tells you they will need extra charges for fast and fresh shipments, keep in mind what our steak buyers' guide has warned you of!

• Experience - Finally, experience is the best steak buying guide in our opinion. For when you have had the fun of buying meat from online portals, you will automatically know which one you prefer and which are best when avoided. For tastes and budgets differ, and it is best to develop an individual version of the same.

So, unless you have been buying meat online since the inception of the first online butchers' portal, you will need a steak guide along with a detailed instruction set of how to buy gourmet steaks and allied steak stuff.