Quality of chicken breasts in major supermarkets

[ozzuk]

I used to get all my chicken breasts from Musclefoods, amazing quality (much better than supermarket) and similar price, if not cheaper. Always deals on their 2.5 and 5kg packs, I'd buy, split and freeze. Simples.

I now buy chicken from a local farm, delivery every month or so - supports a local business and the quality is pretty good. I do get the odd breast from Tesco/Asda, just stay away from anything frozen!

[bigpriest]

It's a known problem - "woody breast".

[Pando99]

correct -wood breast

I now goto my local butcher and get much better chicken with no issues, and the price is only slightly more expensive

[MrHappy]

Riley Blue said:

The only other supermarket we've bought from recently was Sainsburys but they needed a lot of trimming and were tougher

Yep, same here from Sainsbury’s. In a pack of 4 or 5 breasts two or three small ones (very nice) and two large ones that I have to cut a big chunk from. I find the occasional one with the ‘firm exterior, mush interior’ which I now just bin straightaway - much as I hate to waste food. We went through a period last year where an occasional cooked breast had the texture of overcooked tuna - very unpleasant!

[Ham_and_Jam]

bigpriest said:

It's a known problem - "woody breast".

[AngryYorkshireman]

I've had them in random takeaway curries as well. Almost thought they'd put something else in instead of chicken to save money!

[Driver101]

At the beginning of lockdown there was a shortage of chicken and since then the quality has never returned. I normally buy my chicken from the butcher or farm shop and noticed a decline in size and quality. It's still noticeably better than the chicken in supermarkets.

I've also noticed that the supermarket's premium range chicken breasts are more expensive than the butcher or farm shop.

[tomsugden]

Sous vide may be the answer here. I often put some chicken breasts in a vac bag early afternoon and sous vide it, then when I finish work turn it into a curry, lemon chicken, tarragon chicken, whatever really. Doesn't take long and you could cut the chicken with a spoon.

[sc0tt]

We have been having this problem recently. Make a nice dinner and one bite it all goes in the bin. Has put us off from buying them.

[Robotron70]

Yep, same here, probably over the last 2 years or so, frequently getting chicken breast that is tough and chewy no matter where from.

We should be using our local butcher, but supermarket deliveries are so convenient.

[Mabbs9]

Interesting. I've noticed over about 10yrs that chicken breasts have become much more jelly like. I'd assumed this was the poor quality meat from animals with little opportunityto use their muscles. I view the firmer meat as the better quality stuff?

Have we just become used to the awful jelly like texture and dismiss the firm meat as off?

[Turn7]

Pando99 said:

correct -wood breast

I now goto my local butcher and get much better chicken with no issues, and the price is only slightly more expensive

This is the answer… stop buying meat from supermarkets.

[Aunty Pasty]

I think it's jelly-like because they inject various amounts of water into the meat to bulk it up. I think most supermarkets do it to some degree. I think you can tell because of the slime texture as you take it out the packet.

[bigpriest]

Ham_and_Jam said:

bigpriest said:

It's a known problem - "woody breast".

I bet you're an avid reader of the "juvenile things that make you snigger" thread

[Ham_and_Jam]

bigpriest said:

I bet you're an avid reader of the "juvenile things that make you snigger" thread

Absolutely, you can’t beat a good double entendre.

[PurpleTurtle]

Holy thread revival Batman!

As well as the issues that led to the original thread, I've noticed a lot of supermarket chicken over the last 18 months has red blood spots in it, which various internet threads suggest is poor quality meat/low welfare birds.

I've been buying supermarket chicken breasts every week for over 25yrs, it's definitely a recent thing. Anyone else noticed it?

I think a trip to a proper butcher might be on the cards.

[Mobile Chicane]

PurpleTurtle said:

Holy thread revival Batman!

As well as the issues that led to the original thread, I've noticed a lot of supermarket chicken over the last 18 months has red blood spots in it, which various internet threads suggest is poor quality meat/low welfare birds.

I've been buying supermarket chicken breasts every week for over 25yrs, it's definitely a recent thing. Anyone else noticed it?

I think a trip to a proper butcher might be on the cards.

Supermarket meat in general.

All ste - even at Waitrose. I eat much less meat as a result.

[Turn7]

Mobile Chicane said:

Supermarket meat in general.

All ste - even at Waitrose. I eat much less meat as a result.

Agreed, but find a local farm with their own butchery…..

I’ve never bought meat from the supers, always try to buy the best Quality I can afford as far as meat goes

[Ryyy]

PurpleTurtle said:

Holy thread revival Batman!

As well as the issues that led to the original thread, I've noticed a lot of supermarket chicken over the last 18 months has red blood spots in it, which various internet threads suggest is poor quality meat/low welfare birds.

I've been buying supermarket chicken breasts every week for over 25yrs, it's definitely a recent thing. Anyone else noticed it?

I think a trip to a proper butcher might be on the cards.

We use aldi and morrisons for shopping, aldis is always covered in blood, morrisons seems to be good, you can get the odd rubbish looking pack but just have a look amongst them and youll be fine

[juice]

Have to say the Costco ones are really good and mahoosive compared to supermarket ones.