Where to find the best value roasts for families this winter

Roast meals are a staple of the Australian winter menu, but with meat prices on the rise they can be a strain on the budget.

Consumers have to be careful to make sure they're getting the best value for their money.

A Current Affair has compared meat on price, size and quality from a specialist butcher, Woolworths, Coles and Aldi.

Butcher and bona-fide meat expert Joel Jackamentonio was on hand to deliver his verdict.

Chicken

Mr Jackamentonio noted that the Woolworths and Aldi offerings were significantly smaller, and less likely to go far between a family.

He recommended the Coles chicken, which was not only larger, but cheaper at $4 a kilogram.

Pork

The Super Butcher was a clear winner on price, at $4.49 a kilogram compared to Aldi ($5.99/kg), Coles ($10/kg) and Woolworths ($6/kg).

Mr Jackamentonio said the butcher meat was also likely to be better quality, noting that consumers could only expect a poor quality crackling from a supermarket shoulder roast.

However, out of the supermarket brands, he said Woolworths took the trophy for a combination of price and quality.

Beef

The expert-in-residence was mostly unimpressed with the supermarket beef offerings.

Woolworths offered a beef roast for $15.99 a kilogram, and Coles for $19 a kilogram.

Aldi only offered a marinated version at $14.99 a kilogram.

However, Woolworths got the nod again thanks to its "good fat coverage".

Lamb

The price differences between supermarkets were huge, from $10 a kilogram at Woolworths up to $24 a kilogram at Coles.

"That's overpriced," Mr Jackamentonio said.

Super Butcher general manager Susan McDonald said a roast could be great value for money, but recommended consumers consider beyond that night's dinner to how they could use the leftovers.