I just got home from the grocery store and groceries are getting expensive, especially the cost of meat. We have had to raise our grocery budget to accommodate the inflation, I bet you have too. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ latest official data, the average price of a pound of lean ground beef is now $5.46. Ground beef has gone up in price by 8.51% since 2021 which means on average you are spending about 50 cents more per pound (statistics source).
So, what is the best way to enjoy meat in your family’s favorite recipes while also stretching it so you can save a little money on your meat budget and ultimately your food budget?
Are you ready? We are going to get creative, stretch our culinary muscles as we stretch meat, and save money. Chances are you might just find a new recipe that will become a family favorite as a result.
Pssst…meal planning saves so much money, read more about that here.
How can you stretch meat and save money?
Consider Meats as Side Dishes
Meat is the supporting actor and not the star. When we grew up in the midwest, I am sure like me you were served a traditional meat and potatoes style meal. Think of meat as more of a supporting role like in tacos or spaghetti sauce. The meat is there as a great, flavorful addition but less meat goes a long way and is a good rule of thumb when it comes to planning meals.
Try Meatless Meals
I know that sounds crazy, and the number one tip when it comes to stretching meat is to skip it but there are a lot of delicious recipes you might make with meat that if you took the meat out, you wouldn’t miss it at all.For example, soups, salads, pasta dishes, pizza, quesadillas, and sandwiches. In lieu of the meat, you can add extra veggies to bulk up the recipe.
Check out this breakfastpizza recipe, quiche recipe, and egg bake recipe.Just skip the breakfast meat in each of the recipes!
Download your free copy of 50 meatless meal ideas printable by signing up here.
Swap Out the Meat
You might be used to the fresh chicken breast for your favorite dish but in this season try canned chicken instead. This chicken pot pie recipe and chicken salad recipe work great with canned chicken. Lunchmeat is a great alternative as well. Instead, of using a roast for french dip sandwiches, consider using lunchmeat instead. I love to make chicken parmesan with chicken nuggets. Can you try pork tenderloin instead of beef tenderloin?
Sub Out the Meat
Next time, you have a meat dish consider substituting it for healthy fillers that are still packed full of protein like lentils or a type of beans. My favorite swap for Mexican dishes like tacos or burritos is a can of black beans, drained. You can also use lentils, check out how to substitute lentils in this article.
Generally, a 15-ounce can of beans is equivalent to one pound of ground meat. Consider using pinto beans, garbanzo beans, refried beans, and black beans. The average cost of a can of beans is less than a dollar which is a significant difference in price and can add up to big savings.
Thin Out the Meat
If you don’t want to get rid of the meat altogether, try stretching it with a filler.I like to stretch ground beef by adding a 12 oz can of black beans to make 2 pounds of a meat mix.I will also add in canned carrots for nearly no added taste and extra vegetables.This is a great option for Mexican dishes.
Consider adding brown rice cooked in bone broth (or any meat broth for added flavor) to your meat dishes. The cup of filler per pound of beef is a good way to stretch leftover meat or any meat dish.
Buy A Different Kind of Meat
Just like frozen vegetables, meat is frozen at its freshest. Frozen meat is generally less expensive and its a great option for the slow cooker and instant pot. I love to buy a package of frozen chicken breasts, pop it in the slow cooker, and then shred it all up for a variety of recipes. Check out these 12 shredded chicken recipes here.
Pork chops are a great alternative to a steak and are generally at least one-third less expensive and that cost savings adds up in a hurry when you are cooking for a large family like I am.
Let’s chat ground beef recipes. A great way to save a little cash on a pound of meat is to swap out the same amount of ground beef for ground chicken, ground turkey or ground pork which generally is less expensive and a good alternative to a really lean option of ground beef. This easy swap is perfect for taco meat or ground meat in Italian sauces for spaghetti.
When it comes to meals, we usually have a meat-heavy hitter that goes with that meal.Tacos = ground beef but what if you did shrimp tacos or pulled pork tacos.If you make meat for one dish on the first night, how can you reimagine that meat for another dish later in the week or freeze it and save it for another time?
Just this week, I cooked up 6 chicken breasts in the slow cooker (read more about that process here). I am making BBQ chicken sliders the first night. Serving meat on a bun helps stretch it too. Then, later on, I will use the leftover meat for a soup recipe. Spoiler: you don’t need as much meat in a soup recipe either. Check out this soup recipe that calls for just 2-3 chicken breasts.
Think Outside the Meat Box
When it comes to meals, we usually have a meat-heavy hitter that goes with that meal.Tacos = ground beef but what if you did shrimp tacos or pulled pork tacos.If you make meat for one dish on the first night, how can you reimagine that meat for another dish later in the week or freeze it and save it for another time?
Just this week, I cooked up 6 chicken breasts in the slow cooker (read more that process here). I am making BBQ chicken sliders the first night. Serving meat on a bun helps stretch it too. Then, later on I will use the leftover meat for a soup recipe. Spoiler: you don’t need as much meat in a soup recipe either. Check out this soup recipe that calls for just 2-3 chicken breasts.
Add More Sides
To stretch your meat further, consider adding a few additional sides like fruits and vegetables so tummies are still filled but with more variety and you can stretch that meat further.
Speaking of fruits and veggies, buy fruits and veggies with a variety of shelf lives. My kids love strawberries but they don’t last long so then I buy apples, bananas, grapes, and applesauce for later in the week. That way I don’t waste food and we still get a variety into our diet.
Don’t be afraid of canned and frozen fruits and vegetables as well so you can stretch the time between your grocery shopping sessions. Frozen fruits and vegetables are frozen at peak freshness so they are some of the ripest, freshest tasting produce around.
Make 1 Meal Per Seating
I know this has nothing to do with meat but many of you might feel like a short-order cook. Now’s the time to communicate with your family that you are making 1 meal. Kids will eat when they are hungry and serve some sides you know they will like to help them get excited about mealtime. Want more help with picky eaters? Check out this post with 15 tips to get your picky eater to eat.
Meal Plan
Making a weekly meal plan helps you reduce food waste and stretch your meat and your grocery budget. I record what we need at home before I go throughout the week in my Meal plan journal. Then, I look for simple meals we love and make my meal plan while I shop. You can download a free printable with 50 meal ideas to help you get started by signing up here.\
Don’t stress if you can’t find enough meat or need to swap or stretch meat. Get creative, you might just find you next good idea on the other side. There are a lot of meatless options or meals that don’t require a lot of meat.If you need more ideas, you can signup here and download your copy of over 50 meatless meal ideas to get you started.
Keep Meals Simple
We are not getting awards for how fancy or complicated are meals are right now. The other night we had grilled cheese, we have had to build your own cheese pizzas this week and everyone has never eaten better. Snack tray suppers are another fan favorite and perfect for a night you don’t feel like cooking.
Just Remember…
Don’t stress if you can’t find enough meat at the store, there are a lot of meatless options or meals that don’t require a lot of meat. If you need more ideas, you can signup here and download your copy of over 50 meatless meal ideas to get you started.
You might like these posts –
15 Simple Ways To Save Money on Groceries
12 Items We Stopped Buying at the Grocery Store to Save Money
12 Easy Meals to Make with Shredded Chicken
