Supermarket Sirloin Steak Comparison
Steak remains a luxury treat reserved for special occasions like Valentine’s Day in many homes. I purchased one sirloin steak each from Asda, Tesco, Marks & Spencer, Aldi, Lidl, Sainsbury’s, and Morrisons to evaluate differences in quality, price, size, and flavor. My family helped taste them, uncovering notable variations.
Tesco Sirloin Steak
Priced at £6.50 for 227g (£28.63 per kg), this 21-day aged British beef features the Red Tractor logo for assured standards. It offers 21.6g protein per 100g, a 12-day shelf life, and suits freezing. Raw, it shows vibrant red color with even fat marbling. Cooked, however, it turns fatty and chewy. Rating: 2/5 stars.
Morrisons Sirloin Steak
At £7 for 227g (£30.84 per kg), this 21-day aged British beef also bears the Red Tractor logo, with 21.6g protein per 100g, 16-day shelf life, and freezer-friendly. Packaged in brown cardboard, it appears chunky but uniform, with minimal fat and little blood. Cooked, it tastes dry and chewy, improved only by mustard. Rating: 2/5 stars.
Sainsbury’s Sirloin Steak
Costs £6.50 for 225g (£28.89 per kg), labeled as 21-day matured British beef from trusted farmers, with a Union flag but no Red Tractor visible. Provides 27.6g protein per 100g, 16-day use-by, and freezer suitability. Features excess fat requiring trimming post-cooking, yet the lean meat delivers juicy, tender flavor. Rating: 4/5 stars.
Lidl Sirloin Steak
The bargain at £5.49 for 195g (£28.15 per kg), this 21-day matured British beef with Red Tractor logo offers 23.5g protein per 100g, 12-day use-by, and freezing option. Bloodiest raw with a thin fat strip and excellent marbling, it looks most appealing uncooked. Cooked, it bursts with rich flavor—no condiments needed. Rating: 5/5 stars.
Aldi Ashfields Sirloin Steak
Matches Lidl at £5.49 for 195g (£28.15 per kg), 21-day matured British beef from assured farms with Red Tractor. Contains 23.5g protein per 100g, 14-day shelf life, and freezer-ready. Brightest red raw with good marbling and fat distribution, it cooks to tender, juicy perfection full of taste. Rating: 5/5 stars.
Marks & Spencer Sirloin Steak
Premium priced at £7.75 for 227g (£34.14 per kg), 21-day matured British beef traceable to every farm. Yields 21.6g protein per 100g, 13-day shelf life, and suits freezing. Thick cut in recyclable packaging appears pale with moderate fat. Tender when cooked but lacks bold flavor. Rating: 4/5 stars.
Asda Sirloin Steak
£6.97 in-store (£6.64 online) for 227g (£29.25 per kg), hand-selected 21-day matured British beef with Red Tractor. Delivers 24g protein per 100g, 10-day shelf life, and freezing capability. Appealing marbling raw cooks to tender taste, marred by inedible fatty sections. Rating: 3.5/5 stars.
Key Findings
Sainsbury’s leads in protein but trails in flavor. Marks & Spencer and Morrisons cost most yet underperform. Aldi and Lidl steaks, the cheapest per kg, excel in tenderness and taste—Lidl edges out slightly as the overall winner. Both budget options deserve repeat buys for quality value.
