20 Ways to Save Money on Meat! (Secret Tricks)

Are you looking for some easy Ways to Save Money on Meat? With grocery prices soaring, these simple tips and tricks for saving on meat are just what you need!

Meat can be one of the BIGGEST costs when it comes to your monthly grocery bill. If you’re wanting to learn How to Cut Your Grocery Bill in Half, I’ve got some secrets that will save you SO much money!

Ways to Save Money on Meat

There’s never been a better time to learn How to Save Money on Meat! Whether grocery shopping for two or twelve, these money saving meat tips can help you slash your spending, starting today!

Veronica writes: "These tricks are exactly what we need with rising supermarket expenses!"

Your Best Ways to Save Money on Meat are to plan ahead and to think outside the box with these creative ideas!

Before you make your grocery list or head to the store, here’s what you need to do…

Related: How To Cut Your Grocery Bill In Half! (It Works!)

#1: Buy a Cow or a Pig from your Local Farmer… Seriously!

Does buying meat in bulk save money? It sure does! And did you know you can save BIG when you buy straight from the farm?

Stephanie writes: “I buy meat from a local farmer.”

Carol writes: “We bought half a cow at $3.50 a pound, all hamburger and steaks. We do this twice a year. We share hamburger with our daughters when they want some. There is a wrapping fee of 69 cents a pound. I don’t want soup bones or stew meat or chuck roasts. First, we check prices at Costco often, hamburger is $4.79 a pound there, so even with wrapping it’s still a better deal plus we know where the cow is from. We use black angus, a beef breed. We dont get a whole cow simply because we dont have room in our upright freezer.”

Donna writes: “I bought 1/8 of a cow from a friend.”

Christina writes: “A side of beef, half the cow, lasts me and my 18 and 19 year olds almost a full year. We are down to a few roasts and ground beef the last month or so before the next one goes down. This year it cost roughly $1600 and we got roughly 300 pounds of beef, ground beef, roasts, brisket, numerous cuts of steaks and ribs. Now I’m currently waiting on a pig.”

Polly writes: “I get 1/4 cow or half a hog at once.”

#2: Raise Your Own Meat

Related: Backyard Chickens for Beginners!

Raising your own meat really is the ultimate money saving meat hack! You can raise…

• Chickens for meat… or fresh eggs
• Ducks for meat… or fresh eggs
• Pigs for bacon, ham, pork chops, ribs, and sausage
• Cows for beef… or fresh milk, homemade cheese, and homemade butter

If you’ve never considered raising your own meat, you can learn more with these Frugal Homesteading Tips!

#3: Go Fishing!

Craving fresh fish? Fishing is a fun and inexpensive way to enjoy fresh fish on a dime!

Growing up near Seattle, my dad and brother would regularly head out to the Puget Sound to go fishing, and would come home with several big salmon and tons of crabs. Talk about delicious… and the price was right!

So grab a fishing license and some discount fishing gear from Walmart or your local outdoors store, and start enjoying some amazing fresh caught fish!

#4: Head To The Woods For Wild Game

The end of Summer and early Fall are a great time to grab a license and head on out to the woods to find some wild game. Consuming wild game will help you save BIG money on your grocery bill, while also giving you the benefits of a healthier and better tasting meat.

Great options include deer, elk, antelope, and wild turkey… and it tastes amazing as a beef substitute in this Easy Goulash Recipe!

Sue writes: “We have 5 freezers full of wild game meat.”

#5: Shop From Your Local Butcher

Another simple trick is to head straight to your local butcher shop. From smaller orders to larger freezer pack bundles, there are so many ways to save money at the meat market!

Nikki writes: “I went to a butcher for *cheaper* chicken.”

Polly writes: “I can get ground beef for 3.98 a pound on sale from a local butcher”

#6: Buy in Bulk and Vacuum Seal Smaller Portions

Another trick when buying in bulk is to vacuum seal your meat! Not only will it save money when buying the bigger packs, but you can then store it in a frost free freezer to help it last as long as possible! This is pretty much the routine for my hubby and I when we get home from the grocery store. 🙂

Bobbye writes: “I bulk buy when on sale and freeze”

Karen writes: “I buy meat in bulk and am repacking for meals.”

Tricia writes: “I’m stocking up on meats, and I’ve also learned how to cut down large cuts of meat and wrap and store them in the freezer.”

#7: Grind Your Own Meat

Another way you can save a lot of money is simply by grinding your own meat at home!

We regularly grind boneless skinless chicken breasts into ground meat for tacos, and it saves so much money as opposed to buying ground chicken or ground turkey.

A meat grinder is also a great way to save money by making your own ground sausage at home.

#8: Shop Your Pantry & Freezer First

Before you head to the grocery store, don’t forget to eat through your pantry and freezer first! You might be surprised to find all of that good food that’s been buried in there, that you might have even forgotten about!

Nina writes: “I shop my pantry and freezer first and Meal Plan around what I have.”

Kristina writes: “I’m doing a freezer clean out! Very interesting meals ahead!” 🙂

#9: Know Your Prices To Avoid Price Creep

Wondering how to save money on meat at the grocery store? For starters, it’s essential to know your prices. In addition to checking the weekly ads, consider creating a Grocery Price Book!

Carol writes: “Keep a close eye on the sales papers!”

Marisa writes: “I made a spreadsheet with prices of things we buy regularly at different stores and will buy them where it’s the cheapest. I also plan my shopping trips to where I’m going to multiple places. I don’t do 1 store one day and another the next. If I’m out, I get it done in 1 trip.”

Angela writes: “I shop specials at multiple stores.”

#10: Stock Up BIG on Meat Sales

Then… when you see those prices drop, it’s time to stock up!

Crystal writes: “Whatever meats are on sale, that’s what I buy. “

Vicki writes: “Never pay full price, always search for sale items.”

Tina writes: “I wait for sales on meat.”

Veronica writes: “Chicken prices are still really good where I live (they haven’t budged), so that’s what partially packs our freezer.”

Cathy writes: “I buy bulk ground beef.”

Also, consider buying boneless cuts, so you don’t have to pay for bones that will be thrown away. For example, I buy boneless chicken and skip the T-bone steaks.

#11: Score BIG Discounts on Beef During These Months…

You can score the biggest discounts on meat during seasonal sales, so be sure to stock up on Beef during the big Memorial Day, 4th of July and Labor Day sales.

#12: Stock Up on Turkey in November

Thanksgiving usually brings to mind thoughts of a delicious turkey dinner.

November also happens to be the best time of year to score amazing deals on frozen turkeys you stash away and save in the freezer for later!

#13: Stock Up on Ham in December

There really is a best time for everything, including when to buy ham.

Score the best deals on ham just before the Christmas, New Year’s and Easter holidays!

#14: Skip the Deli & Buy a Ham Chub

In addition to buying whole hams, I also save a bundle by simply skipping the deli counter and buying pre-sliced ham chubs in the meat department!

It is SO much cheaper!!

#15: Consider Cheaper Cuts of Meat

Another way to save is to switch up the meats you’re eating, and opt for less expensive cuts.

For example, I like to use a less expensive cut of meat at least one time per week. Sometimes I’ll grab a deal on Aldi Chicken Drumsticks and make these Crockpot BBQ Drumsticks.

Other weeks I use Aldi Ground Sausage instead of ham when I make omelettes.

Debby writes: “I cut out crab legs and gourmet food”

Jen writes: “I’m switching to ground turkey! Hard to believe but it is so much more cheaper than ground beef these days.”

#16: Buy the Marked-Down Clearance Meat, Just Before it Expires

Another way to save BIG is to swing by your meat department every time you’re at the grocery store, and look for those big bright clearance or mark-down stickers.

Meats will get drastically marked down just before they expire, so snatch them up and just incorporate them right away in your menu, or freeze them for later. I’m always on the hunt for clearance meats… and sometimes it’s a great way to try a new cut you wouldn’t ordinarily buy!

Lois writes: “I shop for marked down beef in the meat department.”

Mary writes: “My local food lion puts put weekly manager special stickers on most of their meat marking them down at least 30 to 50%. I buy a bunch and freeze the rest.”

#17: Consider Getting an Extra Freezer

Want to enjoy savings all year round?

To fully take advantage of game meat and seasonal meat sales, consider getting an extra freezer… or two!! We have this cute little upright freezer in our laundry room that we picked up from Best Buy.

In addition to some butter, maple syrup, and veggies, it’s pretty much just loaded with meat. 🙂

#18: Always Use or Freeze Your Leftovers

Related: 101 Easy Meal Prep Ideas

Did you know that growing up, my family actually never saved leftovers?

It’s true!

Then one night after my hubby and I were first married, I went to clear the table and toss all of the remaining food. But my sweet and always hungry man rushed over to stop me. He had no idea why I would toss the leftovers, and I had no idea what ‘leftovers’ even were. 🙂

Thankfully, I’ve come a long way and now save pretty much everything. I mean… it saves money, and makes such an EASY lunch, dinner or snack the next day.

Talk about a win win, right?

Angela writes: “I’m making leftovers into new meals and one pot meals, or taking leftovers for lunch at work. Like Korean beef and rice, or tacos, chicken fried rice, etc. If we have pork chops, the leftover meat can go into pork fried rice.”

Nikki writes: “I eat leftovers for the next night’s dinner or lunch.”

Debbi writes: “I make my recipes in quantity even though its just hubby and me. I divide the recipes into single servings and put in my big frost free upright freezer. “

Judy writes: “I freeze my leftovers.”

#19: Fill Your Pantry with Inexpensive Canned Meat

Craving seafood? Consider canned salmon or canned clams! We regularly add canned clams to our pasta sauce, and have this Recipe for Salmon Sandwiches on repeat at our home!

Canned chicken is also great to have on hand, and makes a delicious addition to your nachos!

Melissa writes: “Shelf stable items are good for when things start getting scarce.”

#20: Use Costco & Sam’s Club Loss Leader Rotisserie Chickens to Stretch Meat in Meals

Wondering how to stretch meat in meals?

Don’t forget about those famous loss leader Costco and Sam’s Club Rotisserie Chickens… at bargain prices!

Christy writes: “I buy rotisserie chickens already cooked and freeze the meat instead of buying whole chickens. I’ve found it’s much cheaper. We’ve bought a few rotisserie chickens and made 2 – 3 meals from them. Costco sells their rotisserie chickens for $4.99.”

Grace writes: “My Sam’s Club has them for less than $5 each. If I’m doing casseroles, I can get two meals out of one chicken. Family of 7.”

Tammy writes: “I’ve been making more big one pot meals to eat on for several days paired with a salad or Homemade Breads.”

Bonus Tip: Go Meatless Several Times a Week

Related: 40 Easy Meatless Meals!

Obviously, another way to save money on meat is to just eat a little less. Consider going meatless a few days a week, or at least try starting out with a Meatless Monday.

It really isn’t that hard, and you just may love the variety it adds to your meals!

Cindy writes: “I eat meatless at least 3 days a week”

Brittany writes: “I’m doing meatless meals a couple times a week and staying within the same food genre… so Mexican all week, or Italian, or grilled chicken and veggies, etc. It allows me to buy less items overall and other items in bulk at cheaper prices.”

Claudia writes: “I’ve been incorporating more beans!”

Or… instead of going meatless, simply reduce your meat portions & fill your plate with more veggies & sides!

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So… What are Your Favorite Ways to Save Money on Meat?

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