Ask a butcher what they are putting on the table for Sunday lunch, and you probably will not hear fillet or prime rib. The cuts they choose for themselves are often simpler, better value and made for slow cooking, where time does most of the work. From well worked roasting joints to underrated cuts that shine in the oven, these are the butcher’s picks worth putting on your Sunday table.
- • The best cut for Sunday roast at home is often a cheaper roasting joint, not the priciest one on display.
- Slow roasting turns tougher, well worked cuts into some of the most flavoursome meat on the table.
- • The best beef joint for roasting on a budget is usually brisket, topside or shin.
- • The best lamb joint for roast on a budget is shoulder rather than leg.
- • A cheap roasting joint often feeds a family for less, with leftovers still to spare.
Why Butchers Skip the Priciest Joints
A premium cut such as fillet is prized because it is naturally tender, so it needs almost no cooking time. That suits a quick midweek dinner, but a Sunday roast already has hours in the oven while the table gets set and everyone gathers round. That time does the tenderising work for you, so paying extra for a joint that is already tender buys you something the slow cook would have given you anyway. A cheap roasting joint, given the same hours, ends up just as soft, with a deeper flavour built in along the way.
Best Beef Joint for Roasting on a Budget
| Cut | Why butchers choose it | Best cooking style |
|---|---|---|
| Brisket | Rich marbling, holds moisture over long cooking | Low and slow, 4 to 6 hours |
| Topside | Lean but tender when rested properly | Medium oven, rest well before carving |
| Shin | High in collagen, turns silky when slow roasted | Very low heat, covered, several hours |
| Silverside | Firm texture, classic Sunday flavour | Slow roast or pot roast |
Any of these give you proper Sunday roast cuts without the fillet price, and they tend to carve just as neatly once rested.
Best Lamb Joint for Roast Without the Splurge
Lamb leg gets most of the attention, and it is a fine joint, but it is also the most expensive part of the animal. Ask most butchers what they put in their own oven, and shoulder comes up again and again. It has more fat running through it, which bastes the meat as it cooks, and the connective tissue breaks down beautifully over a slow roast, leaving meat that pulls apart rather than needing to be carved thinly. For a Sunday lunch where nobody is timing the oven to the minute, shoulder does more of the work for you.
Cheap Roasting Joints Worth Trying
Recommended from Tariq Halal
- Beef Roasting Joint – a straightforward budget joint, oven ready.
- Beef Shin On Bone – ideal for a fall apart texture with minimal effort.
- Beef Topside Strips – lean and versatile, good for a pot roast.
- Lamb Shoulder – the butcher's own favourite for a family roast.
- Whole Baby Lamb Shoulder for Roasting – a whole joint that pulls apart after a slow roast.
How to Get the Best Out of a Budget Joint
A cheaper cut needs a little patience, not extra skill.
- • Cook low and slow. A gentler oven for longer softens connective tissue, rather than toughening the meat.
- • Rest properly. Ten to fifteen minutes under foil after cooking makes a noticeable difference.
- • Keep it covered for part of the cook. This keeps moisture in, especially for shin, brisket and shoulder.
- • Carve against the grain. This shortens the muscle fibres and makes a firmer cut easier to eat.
Why Buy Your Roasting Joint From a Specialist Halal Butcher
The quality of a Sunday roast starts with the joint itself. Tariq Halal is a specialist halal butcher with more than 40 UK stores and online ordering, offering beef and lamb roasting joints butchered to halal standards, so you can pick the best cut for Sunday roast whether you fancy a showpiece leg or a budget friendly shoulder. Order online for UK delivery or collect in store.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best cut for a Sunday roast on a budget?
Beef brisket, topside, shin, silverside and lamb shoulder are great value. Slow roasting makes them tender and flavoursome.
What is the best beef joint for roasting if I want value for money?
Brisket and shin are excellent choices. Their fat and connective tissue keep the meat moist and flavourful.
What is the best lamb joint for a roast without spending a lot?
Lamb shoulder is a great choice. Its natural fat keeps the meat moist and tender as it cooks slowly.
Are cheap roasting joints as good as expensive ones?
Yes. Budget cuts can be just as delicious, especially when slow cooked until their connective tissue breaks down.
How long should a cheap roasting joint be cooked for?
Most budget cuts need several hours at a low oven temperature. Rest the meat before carving.
Where can I buy quality roasting joints in the UK?
Tariq Halal has more than 40 UK stores and an online shop, offering halal beef and lamb roasting joints with delivery and collection.
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