Supermarket Steaks

What about steak from the supermarket?

Prime beef is rarely found in supermarkets; most of it goes to upscale butcher shops and steakhouses. One exception is Costco, which sells prime steak online for far less than other mail-order sources (*est. $27 per pound for strip steaks, plus a 5% surcharge for non-members). Reviewers say that these steaks aren't as tender or juicy as similar cuts from other mail-order companies, including Lobel's, and the flavor is milder. Then again, if you buy in-store, you can select your own steak (see Important Features for buying tips) and save a bundle on shipping.

Experts say you should be wary of supermarket-branded steaks, such as Wal-Mart's Genuine Steakhouse and Rancher's Reserve from Safeway (*est. $11 per pound for boneless strip steaks), that don't mention the beef's grade. Wal-Mart's Genuine Steakhouse (*est. $10 per pound for strip steaks) brand includes both choice and select cuts -- the leanest, least expensive grade of beef. In addition, Wal-Mart steaks may contain as much as 10% of a sodium solution, as well as beef broth and sodium phosphate, a preservative. In industry terms, Wal-Mart's beef is "case-ready," meaning that it's butchered before shipping to stores. The important consideration here is that Wal-Mart's steaks come from the same grade beef as other supermarkets, so there's little reason to pay extra for Wal-Mart Genuine Steakhouse than for a good cut from a local butcher or even a supermarket.