It is hard to find a good deal on meat these days. Unless you own the cow, you are going to pay the majority of your grocery bill toward meat. While you want quality cuts of beef, chicken and pork, the prices make purchasing them nearly impossible. If you don’t want to be stuck eating the same low cost options all the time here are some tips.
- Get to the store EARLY. Meat from the previous day is typically marked down first thing in the morning for quick sale.
- Talk to the meat manager and find out what day they typically do markdowns so you can get the first pick
- When purchasing marked down meat cook asap, or freeze asap. These meats are marked down because they are running out of time.
- Buy a larger cut of meat and ask to have it cut for free. Most grocers will cut and wrap large pieces for you at no charge.
- Buy in bulk- If you have a freezer to store it in, purchase meat when it is on sale at a low price. You can buy 20 lbs, then wrap and freeze it for future meals.
- Buy the cow….seriously. Contact local farmers and purchase a whole or half of beef. While it is an investment, it will last you a long time, and you know it is quality.
- Portion size! Plan meals and measure portions. Prepare enough side dishes so that your meat servings do not have to be as large per meal.
I found the above pictured Ground beef this morning at Walmart. 5.5 lbs for $10.14! That is $1.84 per pound!
Hope you found these shortcuts for saving money on meat helpful. Don’t forget to check out the recipes here on A Few Short Cuts to get some great meal planning ideas!
Betty Crocker Gluten Free Mixes as low as $2.11 each Shipped
Bob’s Red Mill Gluten Free Rolled Oats 32oz – 4 Pack $15.76 Shipped {$3.94 a Bag}
2 Pack Nutiva Coconut Oil 15oz $14.23 Shipped
How to Start a Backyard Garden
Sumatran Reserve K-Cups just $10.99 for 24
About Amanda @ A Few Short Cuts
some great tips. just wanted to add that if freezer space is limited, you can cook and can ground beef and keep it on a shelf. It is easy to do and so convenieant to have on hand.
And if you get a great deal on ground beef, go ahead and brown it up and then freeze in meal size portions. It takes a lot less room in the freezer. I go ahead and cook it up and then I can just grab a bag to add to spaghetti sauce or stroganoff or tacos or chili or whatever. Or go ahead and make meatballs or meatloaf and have it ready waiting for you.
The other day I went in to get a pack of 80/20 for hamburgers for a special meal for family member. Ended up getting 4 packs of 93/7 and a value size pack of cube steaks, and 5 packs of B/S chicken breasts for about 3x what I was going to pay for the original pack of meat. But got several weeks worth of meats to put in freezer out of the reduced meat section.
oh, and for the chicken you get – divide up into meal sizes and put marinade in zippy bag before you freeze. (LABEL) then when you put the bag into the fridge to defrost for the evening meal, it is already marinading for you. ready to be cooked up!