Meat prices are on the rise, there’s no question about that. It is really difficult to stick to a grocery budget when you arrive at the meat counter and discover that none of the meat you wanted is on sale!
Meat does travel a seasonal sale cycle – ham and turkeys go on sale during the holidays, beef is on sale during the grilling season. Right now we’re in that in-between holiday time where not much is marked down at all. How do you find affordable meat options? Here are a few tips:
- Shop the marked down meat – Ask your store’s butcher what day or time of day they mark down their meat. When meat reaches the “sell by” date, you can often purchase it at a 50% discount! Of course you’ll have to be flexible in your menu planning, but if you frequently purchase marked down meat and stock your freezer with it, you can plan your meals around what’s in the freezer!
- Learn to cook with chicken and pork – I love to buy whole chickens when they are $.98/lb, roast them and use the meat in chicken salad, soups and casseroles.
- Shop the frozen meat – One example: I bought a pound of frozen ground turkey for around $2 at Aldi. I wouldn’t use it for meatloaf, but it’s great in spaghetti, tacos and chili. Aldi also carries bags of frozen chicken breasts for $6 – you can’t beat that price! Here’s how I prep and store meat in the freezer
I used these three tactics in my menu below. The sausage I served at breakfast was marked down to $2.49 – and I had a coupon for $1 off one package! I used roasted chicken, frozen ground turkey and frozen chicken breasts for my supper entrees.
How do you save money on meat? Please share your tips in the comments!
On The Menu
Breakfast:
- Scrambled Eggs with Sausage
- Cinnamon Bun Scones – these are wonderful and so simple to make!
- Cereal
Lunch:
- Deli Sandwiches/Apples/Fruit Snacks/Banana Muffins (For Paul’s workday lunches)
- Soup and Sandwiches
- Leftovers
Supper:
- Chicken and Steak Quesadillas (with leftover steak from my birthday dinner!)/Spinach Salad
- Baked Chicken/Mashed Potatoes/Garlic Green Beans
- White Chicken Chili (similar)/Cheese and Crackers/Applesauce
- Spaghetti with Ground Turkey/Spinach Salad
- Slow Cooker Creamy Ranch Chicken/Garlic Green Beans
- Leftovers
- Birthday Supper Out!
FYI – I share my menu the week after it actually happens. I plan my menus on Monday, so it just works better this way!
Come Home For Comfort 
I always check the local grocery sales flyer to see if any meats that I might want are on sale. If so, I plan meals for the following week using those ingredients, and stock the freezer at the same time. Probably the biggest way I save on meat is by not eating much of it! We only eat fish and poultry, and I try to do vegetarian or mostly vegetarian meals once or twice per week. It’s a huge cost saver, especially when meat prices are high!
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Building your menu around the sales is such a smart way to meal plan! I’m also trying to cut down on the amount of meat I serve – but it’s a challenge. Way to go with that too!
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I was just noting that you were talking about Walmart price matching. If you download the Walmart app on your phone there is a savings catcher on there. You type or scan your weekly grocery receipt and they will scan all the stores in your area for better prices. Then you get the difference on an ecard!! Much easier for me and I save up for something big at the end of the year. Of course you can redeem this money any time but saving up works better for me. Check it out. I would not have known about it but a Walmart cashier told a friend of mine about it. Best kept secret!
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If I’m not mistaken, this was just recently rolled out by Walmart. If you’re a loyal Walmart shopper, then I guess using the app won’t hurt – but it doesn’t catch all the deals. Just so you know. 🙂 I wouldn’t ever suggest that someone shop at Walmart – the deals are nowhere near as good as the grocery stores. But if you must, then the app is an effortless way to save a little here and there. 🙂
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I pretty much only buy meat when it’s marked down. I have been known to buy 5 or 6 packages of chicken breasts or Turkey breast cutlets for my freezer. I make my menu up AFTER shopping.
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Well I did learn most of what I know about grocery shopping from you… 🙂
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I love all of these tips and have been using them!! It is tricky to make your grocery list and then show up to the store and see that the meat you wanted to buy is far too expensive. I’ve had to be flexible and make immediate changes to my list/menu while grocery shopping. Not my strength, but I’m figuring it out. I also have found great deals on meat at Sams. Have you ever had any luck price matching meat sales? I’ve noticed that local stores have ground round on sale and I was curious if stores price match their meats.
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I haven’t personally done any price matching – but if you shop at Walmart for your groceries (which I’m thinking you do?) then you should definitely try it! I know Walmart price matches any store within a 50 mile radius that they consider to be a competitor. You don’t have to bring the other store’s ad with you, but I would recommend it. Here’s the specifics if you’re interested: http://corporate.walmart.com/ad-match-guarantee
Grocery stores don’t typically price match. I save so much on everything else I buy at my grocery store that it far outweighs the benefits of price matching. Hope that helps!
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I hear you Whitney…beef is very expensive right now. My brother in law who raises beef is a happy camper!! In fact he took some of his earnings and bought a new bush hog for keeping the pastures in check! I got a great recipe for mushroom soup that I plan to share on my blog tomorrow…I had it at a Sunday School gathering and it was so GOOD!
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I’m glad things are going well for the beef farmers! 🙂
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