Texas woman buys $300 wagyu from Costco. Then she takes it home. Now people are saying she got scammed

A Texas woman spent $300 on Wagyu from Costco. Then her Caribbean mother soaked it in vinegar.

In a viral TikTok video with 1.1 million views, user marlatrades_ (@marlatrades_) shared a clip of the beef and asked viewers for their help.

“Yallll I left my good up wagyu from @Costco Wholesale to defrost. My carribean mom decided to soak it in vinegar like a piece of chicken because she said it looked too bloody. Can someone tell me how to put the wagyu back in?” the video’s caption read.

Many questioned whether the meat was even authentic.

Why Were Commenters Questioning The Beef?

In the video’s comment section, questions about the authenticity of the Wagyu beef dominated the conversation.

“If that was sold as wagyu, you got scammed,” one user wrote.

“Looks like pork. Aldi pork at that,” another commented.

“There is literally no Wagyu outside of Japan. Definitely not in your local Costco. You got overpriced decent at best cuts of meat, but not wagyu. This doesn’t even remotely look like Wagyu,” yet another argued.

The original poster responded to commenters, defending the meat’s authenticity.

“Oh nahhhh mi nuh nyam swine ??” she responded.

Is Costco Wagyu Beef Real?

Costco sells imported Japanese Wagyu in different cuts and sizes.

For example, the store sells Japanese Wagyu Center Cut New York Strip Steaks for $156.66 per lb. The offering has 983 reviews on Costco’s website and a 4.5-star rating.

Many of the store’s other Wagyu offerings also have positive reviews.

The Mary Sue reached out to Costco by contact form for more information about its Wagyu offerings.

What Makes Wagyu More Expensive Than Other Steaks?

The premium price of Wagyu beef is driven by numerous factors.

Unlike standard cattle, Wagyu breeds have genetics that make them develop intense intramuscular marbling.

This marbling is essentially fat that melts at room temperature and gives the meat its signature buttery texture.

This quality of meat requires a significant amount of investment. Farmers raise Wagyu cattle for 30-36 months (nearly twice as long as conventional beef).

The cattle are also fed a specialized grain and must be raised in low-stress environments.

Furthermore, the Japanese government enforces a rigorous, trace-mapped grading system that limits supply and guarantees authenticity, creating an intentional scarcity that, when paired with high global demand, commands a luxury price tag.

So the woman’s claim that her mother could’ve possibly tampered with the expensive meat certainly raised eyebrows.

@marlatrades_ Yallll I left my good up wagyu from @Costco Wholesale to defrost. My carribean mom decided to soak it in vinegar like a piece of chicken because she said it looked too bloody. Can someone tell me how to put the wagyu back in? #imissjapan #carribbeantiktok #costcofinds #isitwagyufr ♬ Saxophones getting louder – Sped Up – AntonioVivald

Can Vinegar Ruin A Steak?

One viewer in the video’s comments section claimed the use of vinegar on steak can act like a tenderizer.

“Wagyu or not, the vinegar ruined the steak. Vinegar, which is acidic, acts as a tenderizer. If you leave it in there too long it’ll turn to mush. I’d also avoid freezing cuts of steak as you lose a lot of quality vs cooking fresh,” user iced out shovel wrote.

Vinegar does in fact tenderize steak. Still, it requires a careful balancing act to avoid ruining the meat.

The acid in vinegar works by weakening the tough collagen and protein fibers on the steak’s surface, allowing them to loosen, unravel, and trap savory juices inside.

However, this chemical magic happens almost entirely on the surface rather than deep inside the cut of meat. So, a long overnight soak won’t make it any more tender.

In fact, it will do the opposite.

If left to marinate for more than an hour or two, the acid over-corrects, causing the protein bonds to tightly constrict and expel their liquids.

This will cause the steak to become rubbery or mushy.

When it comes to Wagyu, the meat is already very tender, so using vinegar is not recommended. It can also alter the flavor.

The Mary Sue reached out to marlatrades_ via TikTok direct message for comment.

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