Since we can no longer trust the meat we buy in chubs, I wanted to review a list of ways we can save money on meat. Grinding a roast is always an option but there are more options available.
- Mix the ground beef with ground turkey.
- Watch for mark-downs. Get there about an hour after the store opens for the best selection. Or, ask the butcher when they typically do markdowns.
- Buy beef or pork roasts/loins and cut them yourself or ask the butcher to cut it for you. This is a free service in most grocery stores.
- Stock up on frozen seafood when the items go on a BOGO sale.
- Buy turkeys and hams after holidays and freeze. Make a note of the expiration dates during the holiday season and then the day before go look for markdowns.
- Look for coupons! Yes, there are coupons for meat sometimes.
- Substitute eggplant for meat in casseroles and sauces. Just peel, cube, and saute in olive oil with salt and pepper, or use meat seasoning such as Montreal steak seasoning in the place of the salt and pepper.
- Purchase a 10-pound bag of leg quarters which are often on sale for $0.48 to $0.57 a pound.
- Use oatmeal or bread crumbs as a filler. Add it to your ground beef for meatloaf and burgers or put it in the skillet as you brown ground beef.
- Don’t think of meat as your main dish. Serve it as a side dish or as a part of a dish (casserole, tacos, pasta, etc.) instead.
- Mix your meat with beans and/or corn to make it go further.
- Flavor your beans by cooking them with ham bones or in beef or chicken stock.
- Measure your portions. You might be surprised that the amount of meat recommended for a healthy diet is smaller than what you normally serve.
- Buy in family packs and then divide it up and freeze it when you get home.
Of course, your best resource for saving on meat will always be your price book. This is the easiest way for you to find a deal!
Do you have tips for saving money on meat, poultry or seafood? Please share them in the comments.
Linked with love at Life As Mom.
In my state, NC, beer companies put out rebates on meat! Yep- in NC no rebates or coupons can be put out on alcohol so they put it on meat! I get $20 worth a month during the summer!
Should I ask how much beer you need to drink to get $20 worth of meat? LOL 😀
In Maine you don’t even have to buy the beer.