How to Save Money on Meat (2024)

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So I've talked about many money-saving tips but today I want to share how to save money on meat.I'm sure I have mentioned this before, but I was at the store earlier today and was asked about this, so I think it bears repeating.

Table of Contents

How can I spend less money on meat?

I only buy meat on markdown, and here's why. This is meat that is being marked down because it is nearing its sell-by date. This does not mean the meat is bad, not AT ALL! The grocery stores have regulations that they can only have the meat out to sell in refrigerated areas for X amount of time. When this time nears, the stores would rather take a hit on the meat than throw it away and get paid nothing.

I take this food home, and either cook it up that day or freeze it right then. It's still good frozen as long as non-marked-down food!

Related: Sage Meatloaf Recipe

Other stores put a big orange sticker with the new price on the package that looks like this:

How to Save Money on Meat (2)

This was a 3 1/2 pound package of hamburger meat for $5.58, down from $7.99. I did a quick calculation to figure out that means about $1.59lb! That's $0.40 less than my stock up price, during a rock bottom sale! SoI grabbed the last 3 packs that were marked down within a few cents of each other and came home separated them into 1lb bags and froze them.

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How to Save Money on Meat (3)

That's 10 meals worth $15!! I also picked up 2 packs of round-eye steaks for $2.50 each, a pack of Denver steaks for $1.99, and a pack of chicken wings for $3 which was enough to make 2 meals worth!

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Where can I get the best price on meat?

There's no definitive answer to this question because it can vary depending on where you live and what type of meat you're looking for. However, a good rule of thumb is to buy meat from local farmers or ranchers who raise their animals on pasture. Not only will you get a better price, but you'll also be getting meat that's healthier and more sustainable.

What meats are inexpensive?

Cheap meats include chicken, pork, and beef. Lamb is also relatively affordable, though it can be a bit more pricey than chicken or pork.

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Is chicken cheaper than beef?

Yes, chicken is cheaper than beef. The price of chicken has remained relatively stable in recent years, while the price of beef has increased. This is largely due to the fact that there is a much greater supply of chicken than there is of beef.

How can I save on my grocery bill?

There are a few ways that you can save on your grocery bill. One way is to clip coupons. Another way is to buy store brands instead of name brands. You can also try to buy food in season, and you can shop at discount stores or warehouse clubs.

Related: 5 Easy Ways To Save On Groceries Without Clipping Coupons

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More Ways to Save Money on Meat

Butcher meats yourself

Many people are interested in saving money by butchering their own meats. The process is not as difficult as it may seem, and it can save you a significant amount of money over time. In addition, butchering your own meats allows you to have more control over the quality of the meat that you eat. When you purchase meat from the grocery store, you often do not know where it came from or how it was raised. However, when you butcher your own meat, you can be sure that it is fresh and of the highest quality.

Related: Easy Ways to Save Money – How to Cut Your Meat Prices in Half

Stretch meats farther

One way to make your meat go further is to add bulk with other ingredients. Beans, grains, and vegetables can all be used to extend ground beef, for instance. And chicken can be stretched by adding it to soups and casseroles. Another stretching technique is to use smaller cuts of meat in dishes where the meat is less central to the flavors. For example, cubed stewing beef can be used instead of steak in many recipes. And finally, don't forget about leftovers! A little meal planning ahead can help you make the most of your meat budget.

Buy in bulk

Bulk buying often allows you to take advantage of discounts and can help you to avoid wasting money on over-purchasing perishable items. However, before you head to the store, there are a few things you should keep in mind. First, think about how much food your family will realistically consume within the expiration date. Second, consider whether you have enough storage space to accommodate a large quantity of food. Finally, make sure to compare prices so that you are getting the best possible deal. When done correctly, bulk buying can be a great way to save money on groceries.

Related: How to Get Started Buying in Bulk

Buy during a sale

When it comes to stocking up on groceries, timing is everything. Buying food during a sale can help you save money and ensure that you have a constant supply of fresh, healthy ingredients on hand. However, it's important to exercise caution when purchasing perishable items, as they may go bad before you have a chance to use them. With non-perishable items, such as canned goods and dried pasta, it's usually safe to buy in bulk. But with fresh produce and meat, you'll need to ensure that you can use the food before it expires. Plan meals in advance and make sure to check the expiration dates on any perishable items before making your purchase. By following these simple guidelines, you can take advantage of sales without wasting food or money.

Related: 20 Items You Can Freeze

Buy online

Now another trick I use to save money is an online one. Not all meat is a great deal in my area of the country, and I have heard things like outrageous bacon prices in other parts of the country or not being able to find ground chuck for under $4 a pound. OUCH! So if you are having this problem, no fear!

If you have a hard time finding a good deal on meat check out Zaycon Foods,sign up, it's free, and take a look around.You buy in bulk and pick it up at their drop-off location, normally a church parking lot. The chicken breasts are huge and at a price lower than my stock-up price! You can see my review here. Some prices won't work for you in your area like for me the bacon pricesare more than what I get locally. But for a friend of mine in Texas, the prices for her are less than she can get locally.

How to Save Money on Meat (2024)

FAQs

What is the most affordable way to buy meat? ›

These tips will help you and your family enjoy beef, chicken and pork for more reasonable prices.
  1. Buy Wholesale Meat. ...
  2. Shop at Local Farms. ...
  3. Look for Coupons and Sales. ...
  4. Change Your Shopping Pattern. ...
  5. Plan Ahead. ...
  6. Shop at Ethnic Grocery Stores. ...
  7. Compare Average Grocery Store Prices. ...
  8. Learn to Cook Cheaper Cuts.
May 15, 2023

How to reduce meat cost? ›

13 Ways To Save Money on Meat and Poultry
  1. Meal plan around your grocery store's meat sales. ...
  2. Don't lose meats and poultry to spoilage. ...
  3. Use every usable part of meat and poultry. ...
  4. Shop markdowns. ...
  5. Buy in bulk. ...
  6. Choose tougher cuts of meat. ...
  7. Substitute cheaper meats in your family's favorite recipes.

What meat to buy to save money? ›

10 Budget-Friendly Cuts of Meat
  • Ribs (pork or beef)
  • Flat steak (flank, hanger or skirt)
  • Ground beef or ground turkey.
  • Beef brisket.
  • Pork shoulder.
  • Chuck eye steak.
  • Whole chicken.
  • Chicken thighs (bone-in, skin-on) or drumsticks.

What's the cheapest cut of meat? ›

8 Best Inexpensive Cuts of Meat to Look Out For
  1. Chicken Legs, Thighs & Drumsticks. Chicken on the bone is always cheaper. ...
  2. Pork Shoulder. When it comes to cheap cuts of meat, it's hard to beat pork shoulder for value. ...
  3. Beef Brisket. ...
  4. Beef & Pork Ribs. ...
  5. Beef Mince. ...
  6. Skirt Steak. ...
  7. Lamb Scrag & Middle Neck. ...
  8. Organ Meats.
Feb 8, 2023

What is a cheaper alternative to meat? ›

Pulses are an inexpensive protein choice, are high in fibre and a source of iron. They are part of the legume family and include all beans, peas and lentils. A daily serving helps to lower your cholesterol level and counts toward your 5-a-day.

What is a meat alternative to save money? ›

Cooked legumes such as beans, chickpeas, and lentils can be swapped for a lot of ground beef recipes. Buying canned or dried beans instead of meat can also save you money. In addition to protein, beans, and legumes are packed with health-beneficial fiber, vitamins, and minerals.

How can meat be so cheap? ›

The answer is the low cost of feed. 60% of crops and 30% of fish catches end up as animal feed. Because crops are heavily subsidized, livestock farmers can buy animal feed at extremely low prices which in turn lowers the cost of meat production.

Why is meat so expensive now? ›

COVID-19 threw a curveball

It caused a surge in the prices of key cattle feed ingredients like soy, corn, and wheat. As a result, farmers can't afford to support as many cattle, leading to scarcity and subsequently driving up beef prices.

Is it cheaper to butcher your own chicken? ›

CLEVELAND, Ohio — If the butcher does more work, the meat is usually pricier. So, would buying whole, raw chickens and cutting them into pieces yourself save you money? Not at all. In a good scenario you'll break even.

What food to buy when broke? ›

  • Apples. “Apples are an affordable, nutritious fruit to purchase year-round. ...
  • Bananas. ...
  • Beans. ...
  • Brown Rice. ...
  • Chicken. ...
  • Corn Tortillas. ...
  • Eggs. ...
  • Flour.
Jan 16, 2024

What meat should you stay away from? ›

One of our Cancer Prevention Recommendations is to eat no more than moderate amounts of red meat, such as beef, pork and lamb, and eat little, if any, processed meat. There is strong evidence that consumption of either red or processed meat are both causes of colorectal cancer.

What to avoid when buying meat? ›

When purchasing meat and poultry, it's important to use your senses of touch, smell and sight. Always make sure the meat is firm to the touch, and check that they packaging doesn't have any tears, holes or excessive amounts of liquid. It should also be cold to the touch and have no odor.

How to eat steak on a budget? ›

The five best cuts of steak to buy when you're on a budget are: boneless sirloin, skirt steak, hanger steak, shoulder steak and flat iron steak. Read on for Rachael's tips on how to cook each cut, what to pair it with and more. Cook your boneless sirloin and skirt steak on a broiler pan.

What is the least popular meat? ›

The least popular meat items were pork chop and ham, chosen on average 0.80 and 0.68 times, respectively, out of 9.

Is it cheaper to go to the butchers or supermarket? ›

Is a butcher cheaper than the supermarket? While supermarket meat may seem cheaper, the price gap between supermarket and butcher's meat has decreased significantly. Considering the superior quality and taste of a butcher's meat, it offers excellent value for money.

Is buying meat in bulk cheaper? ›

Is it cheaper to buy meat in bulk? In some cases, yes. Let's say the price for your bulk beef order averages out to $4 a pound–that's higher for typical ground chuck but a great price for steaks. “The law of averages works out for the customer in the end,” says Dee.

What is the best meat money can buy? ›

Japanese Kobe beef, Japanese Wagyu beef, American Wagyu beef, filet mignon, and beef tenderloin are some of the best steaks in the world based on overall quality.

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