Cheapest Cuts of Meat

Meat is often the priciest part of most grocery hauls, but it doesn’t have to break the bank if you know about the cheapest cuts. The secret is to buy the cheapest meat that’s easy to cook in various ways. With this knowledge, you can whip up great meals on a budget.

Cheapest Cuts of Meat

Confidently walk into the grocery store and save money — all while buying meat. It’s easy to save money on groceries by being picky about which cuts to cook. You just have to choose the cuts that are priced lower and cook them correctly.

Ground Beef

One of the most versatile ways to eat meat is to cook with ground beef. It’s easy to buy it in bulk, and grocery stores often put it on sale when the sell-by date is close. Use it in easy skillet recipes like creamy ground beef and cauliflower rice.

Pay close attention to the numbers on the package. Ground beef is classified by how much fat it has; the price will often increase when it has less fat. The leanest ground beef could be as much as $1 more per pound than the one with the most fat. If a package is labeled 70/30, it is 70% lean meat with 30% fat content.

Ground sirloin is the leanest cut, with only 10% fat. It will be the priciest. If the price of ground beef is too high, consider poultry. Ground chicken or turkey can be substituted in many recipes without affecting the flavor.

Flank Steak

Whether you’re looking for cheap meat for grilling, stews or casseroles, flank steak is always the right answer. It’s inexpensive, versatile and full of flavor. It’s also known for being a tougher cut, so it usually requires marinating.

The best marinade will work for both flank and sirloin steaks. “I find that cheap cuts do really well when you marinate and cook them appropriately. Flank steak is one of my favorites, as is beef sirloin,” says Michelle Price of Honest and Truly. “Both do well with a marinade to tenderize them and keep them from drying out.”

Some Other Cheap Cuts of Beef

Here are some other cheap cuts of beef, why they tend to be inexpensive and some meal ideas for each:

1. Chuck Roast: This cut comes from the shoulder area of the cow and is known for being tough due to the muscle use. It’s inexpensive because it requires longer cooking methods to become tender. You can use it for pot roasts or slow-cooked dishes, where the meat becomes flavorful and tender over time.
2. Brisket: Brisket is a cut from the breast or lower chest and is also tough, which makes it cheaper. It’s ideal for braising or smoking, and it’s commonly used in barbecue and corned beef dishes.
3. Round Steak: This cut comes from the rear leg of the cow and is lean but can be tough. It’s often used for stir-frying or can be marinated and grilled. Dishes like London Broil are popular with this cut.
4. Eye of Round: This cut is very lean and comes from the rear leg. It’s inexpensive because it can be tough if not cooked properly. It’s often used in roast beef or can be sliced thin for sandwiches.
5. Skirt Steak: Skirt steak is known for its flavor but is also tough. It’s typically used in dishes like fajitas or stir-fried dishes where it can be cooked quickly over high heat.
6. Sirloin Tip Steak: This cut is from the round and is relatively lean. It’s affordable and can be grilled or used in stir-fries.

These cuts are generally cheaper because they come from parts of the cow that are more muscular and used for movement, resulting in tougher meat. However, with the right cooking methods — like braising, marinating or slow cooking, as I did with this beef stew recipe — they can become delicious and tender, making them great options for budget-friendly meals.

Chicken

Keep an eye on the grocery ads because chicken goes on sale often. It’s a lean protein high in nutrients. Save even more money by grabbing the bone-in chicken breasts, thighs or drumsticks.

“When feeding a family on a budget, buying cheaper cuts of meat like chuck roast or bone-in chicken thighs can be both cost-effective and flavorful,” says Jessica Haggard of Primal Edge Health. “These cuts are great for slow cooking and braising.”

You can make almost all chicken recipes with boneless or bone-in chicken breasts or thighs. They are basically interchangeable. Instead of following the cooking times in the recipe, closely monitor the internal cooking temperature of the chicken. The chicken needs to reach 165 F to be fully cooked.

Pork

Save even more money by cooking with pork instead of chicken. Pork chops and loin are lean cuts that are easy to cook in various ways. Grilled, smoked, fried, broiled and baked is a cheaper replacement for steak.

Pork is another cut of meat that goes on sale frequently. Bone-in pork chops are often priced significantly lower than thin boneless chops. Pork shoulder roasts have a low per-pound price that will keep money in your wallet. This versatile meat feeds a family for pennies, from shake-and-bake chops to pulled pork tacos.

The Cheapest Meat Can Be the Tastiest

When it comes to meal planning on a budget, meat can fit perfectly in both the meals and the budget. Be particular with the cuts and only buy the cheapest meat. Cheap doesn’t have to mean inferior. Many of the lowest-priced meat can make the best-tasting recipes.

Anyone can afford delicious meat by learning how to cook it correctly and buying it when it’s on sale. It might take some planning, but it’s ultimately worth it.

Portions of this article originally appeared on Food Drink Life.