rib of beef: supermarket vs butchers?

Grimbal

I'm vegetarian so would be grateful for some guidance please !

It's my MIL's birthday on Jan 1st & we've invited everyone over for lunch. I was thinking of doing a rib roast so have been researching prices.

Asda are selling forerib at £12.59 a kilo, and my local butchers are selling at £17.95. I'm curious whether the £5/kg premium to buy from the butchers is worth it ? We have had a small joint from there before which was good with very little shrinkage. so I'm presuming that's a good indication of quality ?

What would you do in this instance ?

Farway

Assuming you can afford it, buy from local butcher, supports local economy & shops and very likely far better quality, not pumped up with water for instance

Sometimes you do get what you pay for, and the butcher will cut size you require

Worth the premium if affordable

I buy from local butcher, his bacon does not shrink or have white bits oozing out, his pork chops brown nicely, his pies are full of meat not gravy, it costs a bit more, but to me it is worth it

PS local butcher may be local beef, not from Ireland for instance

Butterfly_Brain

If you can afford it use the local butcher or local farm shop if you have one close by, the meat is much better quality.

natbags

Used to pay £12 per kilo from our local butcher, however despite others raving about his quality - I found it disappointing. We have then bought from Waitrose over the last few years, but again coming in at around £15 ish a kilo and last few times disappointing. The last couple of large rib joints (and a whole lamb) have been from Makro. If you have a Makro near to you they have the ribs cut into smaller joints to try (I appreciate you won't as veggie - but friends/partner may???) to asses quality in advance. Both the lamb and rib of beef at our local Makro is fully traceable - willing to show/provide all docs etc... and was Welsh
Lamb and Scotch Beef

ScarletRibbons

Our local butcher is excellent, so I would buy there, but I think Morrisons meat is good as well.

nanto3girls

Butcher every time.

katkin

Butcher would be my choice too.

My local one throws in a freebie too if you are buying larger joints / bigger order - some sausages or the like. His meat is sourced locally from farms nearby that are known by name and is so very delicious compared with supermarket meats.

Though a lot depends on how you cook it too.

Grimbal

Thanks all !

No Makro near us unfortunately, so will probably go the butcher's route.

jackyann

Broadly speaking, butcher.
Of course they vary. I'd add to beware of market butchers, other than farmers' markets, where you know the provenance.
Supermarkets such as Sainsburys & Waitrose do have good butchery departments, and may be better than a cheap local butcher.

Yes, small amount of shrinkage is a good sign. Also try asking how they would cook it - I have had some of the best ever advice on cooking in butchers' shops.
I don't know why you are veggie, but we eat relatively little meat - and I ensure I know the provenance of every piece and cook it carefully.

Floss

Butcher, farm or farmers market for us.

[Deleted User]

Not all local butchers are equal. Some source foreign cheap meat and sell it for the same price as the places that sell good local meat.