I get a newsletter from Frugal Living at About.com and thought I would share a good article.
11 Ways to Cut Your Meat Bill without Going Vegetarian
By Erin Huffstetler, About.com Guide
Are the current meat prices butchering your grocery budget? If so, there's plenty you can do about it. Here are 11 simple ways to save money on meat:
1. Make it Stretch
Purchase smaller amounts of meat. Then, stretch it with oatmeal, breadcrumbs or another cheap and healthy filler.
2. Grind Your Own Meat
Instead of buying ground beef, purchase a chuck roast on sale and either grind it yourself or ask the butcher to do it for you. The end product will be the same, but you'll spend far less for it.
3. Buy Reduced Price
Snatch up packages of meat that have been marked down for quick sale. Then, use them by the date on the package or freeze them for later use:
4. Buy Cheaper Cuts
Choose more affordably priced choice cuts of beef instead of pricier prime cuts. Then, marinade or tenderize them to frugal perfection.
5. Buy Big
Family-sized packages of meat usually cost less per pound than smaller packages. So, buy one big package, and divide it into the portions that you need.
6. Enjoy More Meatless Meals
Aim for at least one meatless dinner a week. Then, increase from there as your family gets used to the idea:
7. Buy Lean Cuts
Sure those packages of 70% lean ground beef are cheaper than the 96% lean ground beef, but guess what? After the fat cooks away, that lean package will net you more meat for your money.
8. Buy Ends
Need lunchmeat? Many delis will sell you the lunchmeat ends for far less than the price of a pound of deli meat. Ask, and you may net yourself a real deli deal.
9. Do the Trim Work Yourself
Meats that have been sliced, butterflied, cut into tenderloins or made into patties cost more than meats that haven't; so, buy simple cuts, and do the trim work yourself:
10. Explore Other Sources for Meat
Do some research to find out if there are any butcher shops or farmers in your area that sell meat below the grocery store price:
11. Buy Bones
Did you know? Honeybaked Ham sells their ham bones for $5 a piece (the price may vary in your area). With a full two to three pounds of meat on each bone, that's a great deal.
Link to full article with additional information.
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8 comments:
the grind your own or buy a roast and have it ground at the store is a good idea, especially in light of the talk about "pink slime" lately.
Good post! I do most of those things. I don't think I have ever bought ends at the deli counter, but then again, I almost never buy ANYTHING at the deli counter. I will buy leaner meat, but I do like a little marbling in a roast.
Also, don't forget hunting, for those who enjoy the activity and the game meat that can be had. :)
Sluggy, I have been hearing about the pink slime. I first heard about it from Jamie Oliver. I never thought about it being in the grocery store. Ugh!
Annie, I don't buy anything at the deli, either. Maybe I will go check out some "ends". I have hunters in my family. Too bad they are so far away.
I love her column.
I do most of this. We have been cutting back on a lot of meat lately. No one can really tell so yay me!
I do most of these already but now with the pink slime thing I guess I will be getting out my grandmoms grinder
Great post
SonyaAnn and Judy, good for you both for doing most of these.
Good suggestions! We will buy a BIG pork loin from Sam's club at 1.80 per lb and cut it up for many meals.
McVal, $1.80/lb for pork is a pretty good price now days.
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