The Essential Great Steak Sauce Challenge

Sometimes, it's fun to mimic the sort of food testing done in a more serious way by shows like Cook's Country/America's Test Kitchen or long established magazines like Consumer Reports. So, when we were out shopping a couple days ago we decided to test A-1, our sons' favorite steak sauce against house brands from Wal Mart (Great Value) and Albertson's (Essential Everyday).

Our sons definitely prefer A-1 and almost soak their steaks in it when we serve them (which isn't that often). But, we bought 3 bone-in New York strip steaks to use for the test (7 minutes each side under High broil one rack down from the top).

Three sauces in bowls for blind testing

 I set up for the test by pouring sauce in three bowls and taking this picture to identify which sauce was in which bowl.

Essential Everyday, A-1, and Great Value

 Then I prepared a large batch of mashed potatoes (which the boys really like) and broiling the steaks.

Dinner for Four

After heating some left-over gravy and vegetables, we were ready for dinner.

One son wasn't feeling well and didn't do the taste challenge. The other son correctly identified the A-1 sauce and didn't like the other two sauces.

My assessment was a little closer. The Essential Everyday has more raisin paste than corn syrup and a little more carb's. It also adds tamarinds! That may be why it has a slightly redder color and more tomato taste compared to the spice.

The Wal Mart Great Value sauce had about the same balance of spice and tomato taste as A-1. But, A-1 definitely has a spicier taste. If I were choosing a substitute for A-1, I would pick the Great Value. 


Any of them would be acceptable for casual dining. But, it's easy to see why Kraft's A-1 is the preferred brand.

I began my holiday cooking this afternoon by preparing a batch of Fantasy Fudge.

Hope you all enjoy the holidays!