Top 8: Steaks are high with these choice supermarket cuts

Pic: iStock

With many of us cutting down on meat and its high cost, it makes sense to enjoy it occasionally and choose carefully. 

Ribeye has fine streaks of fat throughout. The muscle comes from the animal's underside close to the spine and doesn’t work hard enough to work off the fat, so - like fillet steak- it doesn’t become tough. The fat melts off during cooking, which means the result is moist and flavoursome without being greasy.

If we include meat in our diet, a matchbox size is enough to provide as much iron and minerals as we need, so as the Care Bears say, sharing is caring for our health and the environment. 

Bump up the steak with a hearty, seasonal salad, some delicious new purple-stemmed broccoli quickly fried in non-virgin olive oil (or the fat left in the pan), sesame oil, and pepper. 

Take steaks out of the fridge 30 minutes before cooking. Brown on each side in a smoking hot pan (open the windows) for a minute, then allow to rest for five minutes while tossing the salad. Next, sprinkle with flaky sea salt and return to the pan for another minute or more on each side, depending on preference.

Dunnes Stores Simply Better 450g €12.49 (€26.94/kg)

Dunne’s Stores Simply Better Irish Angus Ribeye Steak. Food pics: Chani Anderson

Cut the thickest of our selection, it was tender and tasty with perfect juiciness. 

An immediate winner and full marker with all tasters who couldn’t think of anything that would improve it.

Score: 10

M&S Irish Angus Beef 454g €12 (€26.43/kg)

M&S, Irish Angus Beef Ribeye Steak.

We wondered if the extra €2 was worth it for a week of extra maturation.

M&S Irish Beef 420g €10 (€23.80/kg) was matured for 21 days, this one for 28. 

While the cheaper one was very good, the Angus beef had the edge for moistness, flavour and texture.

Score: 9.5

Tom Durcan Meats 330g €10 (€30.30/kg)

Tom Durcan Butcher Ribeye Steak.

On the bone (which weighed in at 31g) there is a little wastage, but it was very tasty, perhaps as a result. 

Good texture, tender and juicy. No mention of maturing time, but we expect at least 21 days. We bought at the English Market, Cork.

Score: 9.25

James Whelan Butcher Salt aged 590g €24.18 (€40.99/kg)

Joy On A Plate by James Whelan Butchers, Salt-Aged Ribeye Steak.

This is our extravagant buy to see if price is an indicator of superior quality. 

These two steaks come with a coin of beef dripping which is good for frying as it has a higher burning point than vegetable oils. 

Maturing in a Himalayan salt room for over 35 days may add to its texture and good flavour. In selected Dunnes Stores, it didn’t beat the Simply Better steak which had a thicker cut.

Score: 9

Aldi Specially Selected 454g €11.29 (€24.86/kg)

Aldi Specially Selected Irish Black Angus Ribeye Steak.

Two Irish Black Angus steaks matured for 32 days and sold in a compostable tray were very good, juicy and tender with plenty of flavour. Good price too.

Score: 9

Tesco Finest Certified Irish Angus 454g €11.99 (€26.40/kg)

Tesco Finest certified Irish Angus Ribeye Steak.

Very good steak with generous marbling and plenty of flavour. 

Matured for 32 days. Fair value.

Score: 9

Lidl 202g €4.49 (€22.22/kg)

Lidl 100% Irish Ribeye Steak.

Farmed in Co Roscommon, this single steak was matured for 30 days. 

Cut thinner than many of the steaks, it was tasty and tender and a good one for those who like steak less chunky. Good price.

Score: 9

SuperValu 268g €7.50 (€27.99/kg)

SuperValu Ribeye Steak.

Minimal fat marbling here made this one less juicy and interesting. Better for stir fries with lots of vegetables and sauces. No mention of maturing length. Perhaps it needed a little more time for the meat to ‘relax’, tenderise and improve its flavour.

Score: 8