Barbecue fans should avoid the most expensive steaks at supermarkets if they don't want to get their fingers burnt this summer, consumer watchdogs warned last night.
Sirloins steaks from upmarket chains M&S and Waitrose were roasted by cheaper cuts from mainstream rivals Tesco, Sainsbury's and Asda in taste tests by Which?
An expert independent panel of judges looked at the best steaks from the seven main supermarket chains, grading them for taste, texture, colouring and other qualities.
It is said you have to pay extra for quality but not, it seems, when it comes to buying steaks
Sainsbury's came out on top in a taste test despite its sirloin being cheaper than that sold at Waitrose and M&S
Tesco was also a winner in the judges' eyes, coming second in the test despite its meat costing only £20 per kilo
One of the dearest, a £28 per kilo Hereford Beef Sirloin from Waitrose, came a lowly sixth on the overall list after failing to cut the mustard with the panel.
It scored 50 out of 100 in the ratings and only Aldi, with 47 per cent, scored less.
THE STEAK TEST: HOW THEY RATED
Sainsbury's Taste the Difference British 21 Day Slow Matured Sirloin Steak (£23 per kg, 21 days matured) - 83/100
Tesco Finest Dry aged British Beef Sirloin Steak (£20 per kg, 28 days matured) - 65%.
Asda Extra Special 28 Day Matured Beef Sirloin Steak (£19.99 per kg) - 58%.
M&S Special Reserve British Aberdeen Angus Sirloin Steak (£31.82 per kg, 28 days matured) - 55%.
Morrisons Traditional British Beef Dry aged Sirloin Steak (£21 per kg, 21 days matured) - 50%.
Waitrose Succulent Hereford Beef Sirloin Steak (£27.99 per kg, 7 days matured minimum) - 50%.
Aldi Specially Selected 21 Day Matured Dry-aged British Sirloin Steak (£18.90 per kg) - 47%
Among those which beat it was an Asda 28-day Matured Beef sirloin costing the equivalent of just under £20 a kilo, which got a meaty 58 per cent.
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Meanwhile, a Special Reserve Aberdeen Angus piece of meat from M&S was the most expensive at almost £32-a-kilo could only come fourth on the Which? rankings.
The consumer champion said: "Buying the best premium steak from the supermarket might be a bit cheaper than you think."
The Sainsbury's Taste the Difference 21 Day Dry Aged Ultimate British Sirloin may be quite a mouthful to say but it was quite a mouthful for taste, scoring 83 out of 100.
Which? added: "Sainsbury's was the clear winner scoring 83 per cent and at £23 per kilo it's nearly £9 cheaper than Marks & Spencer's.
"The panel liked the thickness and butchering as well as the colour and fat marbling. It scored the highest overall marks for appearance, aroma, tenderness, texture and taste."