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From sirloin to wagyu: 14 best steaks to buy for your BBQ
We tried 18 different cuts to find our winner
Tested by Callum BlackFood and Drink Testing Manager
Elevate your summer with this expert-approved guide to the best steak for the grill.
Our panel of food experts at the Good Housekeeping Institute tucked into 18 steaks from leading supermarkets and retailers to bring you the ones worthy of an alfresco feast (or any special occasion) – from lean fillet to tasty ribeye.
We recommend serving alongside corn on the cob, a vibrant side salad, drizzled in lashings of extra virgin olive oil – and a glass (or two) of red wine.
Here are their best steaks at a glance but read on for detailed reviews and our guide to the best cuts.
Best steak for the BBQ 2025
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Read on for more BBQ winners: Best burgers | Best sausages | Best kebabs | Best ribs | Best chicken | Best meat-free burgers | Best meat-free sausages | Best hot sauce | Best ice cream
What is the best cut of steak to buy at the supermarket?
It all depends on your preference and budget, but here are a few key things to consider.
Fat: Lean cuts such as fillet steak are well-suited to being cooked rare (beware over-cooking, which can result in tough meat). However, if you prefer your steak more well-done, the likes of sirloin can handle a slightly longer cooking time while remaining tender.
Ageing: Ageing the meat can add flavour and complexity. Generally, the longer the meat is aged, the more intense the flavour.
Thickness: Thickness is important when it comes to steak, as it can affect how long you can cook it for to get that perfect charred crust and juicy centre. Thicker cuts are easier for those who like rare meat, whereas thinner cuts usually result in a medium or well-done steak.
How we test steak
We cooked a range of beef, pork and lamb steaks, from sirloin to fillet, according to the packet instructions. Our testers were looking for the perfect steak, regardless of the cut, with a rich, complex flavour profile. Fattier cuts scored higher if they had a buttery quality and signs of ageing.
Read on for our best buys for summer and beyond...
Score: 89/100
There's a lot to love about this sharing-style British beef steak. The lean flat iron cut is pre-scored for super quick cooking, and it took just eight minutes to achieve a beautiful blushing middle and perfectly charred exterior.
The Asian-inspired marinade complements the meat without overpowering it – serve with salad or add the tender slices to tacos.
Score: 88/100
Treat guests to a special piece of wagyu this summer, and wait for the compliments to roll in. Australian beef producer Jack’s Creek – winners of the “World’s Best Steak” award for two years running – has recently launched this range of marbled, grain-fed wagyu at Ocado.
You can expect an intense flavour from the thick, juicy rump, with a texture that cut like butter.
Score: 87/100
These high-quality, lean fillet steaks had a beautiful, buttery texture, and come in a pack of two. Testers loved the intense, mouth-watering charred beef aromas and pleasing umami-rich flavour that’s sure to satisfy any steak lover.
Add your favourite sides and a glass of malbec for a delicious steak dinner at home.
Morrisons The Best Hampshire Breed Thick Cut Pork Ribeye Steaks 490g
Score: 86/100
These thick-cut pork steaks make a great summer alternative to classic beef. The Italian-style rub is packed with fennel seeds, rosemary and oregano, which complements the clean, grassy meat and gives a flavour similar to porchetta.
They’re topped with herby butter for an indulgent finish and would make a great midweek dinner served with salad, toasted ciabatta and grilled peppers.
Score: 84/100
Slowly matured for a minimum of 21 days, this generously sized steak is thick with a good level of marbling, making it great for grilling. Those who enjoy a ribeye will appreciate the charred flavours with distinctive grassy notes.
As it's a fattier cut, make sure to cook it to medium rare rather than rare, to bring out the best flavour and texture.
Score: 83/100
For a more cost-effective way to enjoy wagyu, look to Aldi where you’ll find this quick-cooking flat iron version for less than £5! It comes with a classic smoked paprika, garlic and onion rub which is perfect for summer, and the tender meat cut like a dream. Try serving it thinly sliced and piled into soft wraps.
Score: 82/100
These are a lovely little lamb treat with an authentic Korean-style soy and chilli glaze, offering a gentle kiss of heat. The tender, buttery meat was very flavoursome, and would work well with a dollop of kimchi on the side.
Score: 81/100
This succulent bone-in British sirloin is made for sharing. It has been matured for 30 days, with a layer of fat that renders down well and a traditional American-inspired smoky dry rub. There’s also a portion of mustardy, peppery butter for the final, juicy baste.
Score: 79/100
Also taking inspiration from American steakhouses, this free-range, prime cut is dry-aged for at least 32-days, with plenty of marbling and a fat cap that results in an impressive long-lasting flavour.
The sharing-style cut certainly has the wow factor, and the thickness means you’ll be able to achieve a delicious crust, without overcooking.
Score: 79/100
These Sainsbury's juicy steaks are coated in a sweet and smoky, spicy chipotle. They’re pretty thin, so will cook quickly, and the heat builds in a pleasant way, without blowing your socks off.
Score: 79/100
Recreate the restaurant experience at home with Hawksmoor’s premium rib-eye steak. It was slightly leaner than expected, and testers enjoyed the lightly charred crust and robust beef flavour. An excellent choice for those who don’t like overly fatty steak.
The size and thickness also make for a great cooking experience, resulting in nicely browned meat that’s medium-rare to rare in the middle.
Score: 74/100
Here, the quality of the lamb rump does all the heavy lifting. Lightly blushing and beautifully tender, it cooked to perfection with a well-rendered fat cap, and sweet, grassy flavour. We think it would be particularly delicious with a little chimichurri on the side.
Score: 74/100
For something a little different, try Co-op's pork loin steaks in place of your go-to beef. They’re seasoned with a sweet and smoky sauce for a classic American-style BBQ flavour. Add a dollop of coleslaw and serve with sweetcorn ribs. Yee-haw!
Score: 73/100
A good value option this summer, these smoky Texas-inspired steaks were a little chewy, but retained a good level of moisture. Try them with potato salad and slaw for an authentic nod to the States.
Stacey looks after all food and drink reviews — from coffee pods and veg boxes, to natural wine and tequila. Stacey is also founder of Crummbs, where she’s written nearly 2,000 restaurant and hotel reviews since 2013. Prior to this, Stacey wrote hundreds of in-depth buying guides for the Independent, i newspaper and BBC Good Food, as well as reviewing restaurants and interviewing celebrities in her column at Balance Magazine. Stacey has also appeared in BAFTA-nominated BBC documentary Blood, Sweat & Takeaways, where she investigated South East Asia's food production industry, appearing on both Newsnight and BBC World Service to share her findings. Regularly checking out the latest restaurants, bars and product launches, Stacey also loves experimenting with recipes at home, and is a WSET-certified wine and spirits expert, with over 10 years of experience in the business. You can follow Stacey on Instagram @crummbs_uk
Callum is our Food and Drink Testing Manager and has been part of the world of professional catering for 10 years, from cheffing to food manufacturing. While working in manufacturing he specialised in bespoke product and menu development for several start-ups and well-known brands such as Wrap It Up! and HOP Vietnamese. He holds the WSET Level 2 in wine, a Level 3 in spirits and has a particular interest in agave spirits.
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