United States Department of Agriculture “Choice or Higher” (IMPORTED) beef represented by 20 biceps femoris (BF) and 10 longissimus dorsi thoracis (LDT) samples were compared in proximate and mineral composition to Venezuelan (DOMESTIC) counterparts (24 BF and 14 LDT from Venezuelan “AA” and “A” grades, respectively). DOMESTIC samples had higher moisture content (P < 0.001). Lipid content of IMPORTED LDT (7.97 ± 0.60 g/100 g) quadrupled that of “A” grade LDT and almost tripled that of “AA” grade LDT (P < 0.05). Mineral content of DOMESTIC samples did not vary (P > 0.05) by grade. DOMESTIC samples showed lower concentrations of Ca, Fe and Zn, and higher P and K than IMPORTED samples (P < 0.05). Potential advantages for marketing leaner Venezuelan samples in the diet/health consumer niche exist. However, both IMPORTED and DOMESTIC beef samples are highly nutritious foods and good sources of protein, Fe, P and Zn.