How to save money on meat is always a popular topic when I speak with others about cutting their grocery budget. Most people know to look for market specials, to keep a price list, and to buy when it is on sale. However, you can save even more money with these tips for stretching your meat at each meal.
How to save money on meat
Just in case you do not know, check out these basic money-saving tips for cutting the price of meat in your budget.
- Change the mind-set that meat is your main dish.
- Mix the ground beef with ground turkey.
- Serve a meatless dish once a week.
- Buy your meat in bulks (beef or pork roasts/loins on sale) and ask the butcher to cut it for you.
- Stock up on frozen seafood when the items go on a buy one, get one sale.
- Save bones and fat to make stock and use the stock to flavor meatless meals.
- Buy specialty cuts seasonally. Turkeys and hams are cheapest after holidays.
- Measure your portions to eat appropriate serving sizes.
- Buy in family packs and then divide it up and freeze it when you get home.
- 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.
Save on ground meat by bulking it up
One of the best ways I have found to stretch ground meat is to use a filler to double the bulk.
Typically, when you think about a “filler,” your immediate impression is probably related to un-healthy or fake foods. Let’s redeem the word “filler” by bulking up our ground meats with healthier options.
Some ingredients to add to your meat to make it go further would include:
- Beans
- Bread crumbs
- Quinoa
- Couscous
- Pasta
- Eggplant
- Onions
- Peppers
- Cracker crumbs
- Rice
- Potatoes
- Corn
- Oatmeal
How to use oatmeal as a filler
Using oatmeal as a filler for ground meats works well for meatloaf and hamburger… but you probably knew that. However, have you considered adding it to the skillet as you brown ground beef?
I have successful used oatmeal in my ground beef several times. To do this, you simply add the oatmeal to the beef as it browns. Honestly, the oats are soaking up the water and oil that is releasing from the meat as it browns.
Tips:
- Add oatmeal slowly so you do not end up with dry meat. Adjust the amount based on your personal preference.
- Keep in mind that the oatmeal will act as a thickener if you are adding the meat to soups or stews.
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I always read that we should be eating more seafood but it’s so much more expensive per pound than other meats. So I’ve discovered the versatility of fake crab. You can substitute it in a lot of recipes that call for chunks of fish with no problem. Or use it in wraps and salads. It’s a nice change from canned tuna and you still get the benefits of eating seafood. Keep up the great work, Penny!
Thanks Suzanne! Great tip. 🙂