12 Simple Ways To Save Money on Meat and Poultry

And when prices rise, many families assume they have only two choices: spend more or stop buying meat altogether.

But there’s a middle ground.

A few simple habits can help you lower meat costs without giving it up completely. The key is using meat more strategically—buying smarter, wasting less and making what you buy go further.

Build Meals Around Meat Sales

One of the easiest ways to overspend on meat is deciding what to cook before checking prices.

Instead, check sales first and build meals around what’s discounted.

This works especially well if you stay flexible with:

• Types of meat
• Cuts of meat
• Recipes you rotate regularly

Planning this way helps you avoid paying full price week after week.

Don’t Let Meat Go to Waste

Wasting meat is one of the fastest ways to lose grocery savings.

Before buying, make sure you:

• Have a plan to use it
• Can freeze it properly if needed
• Know how you’ll use leftovers

If meat sits too long in the refrigerator or develops freezer burn, the savings disappear.

Use Less Meat Per Meal

Many recipes use more meat than necessary.

You can often reduce the amount slightly without anyone noticing.

For example:

• Use 3/4 pound instead of a full pound of ground meat
• Add extra vegetables, rice or pasta to the dish
• Start meals with soup, salad or bread to make portions go further

This lowers the cost per meal without making it feel skimpy.

Stretch Meat With Low-Cost Ingredients

One of the best ways to save on meat is to make it part of the meal instead of the entire focus.

Good stretch ingredients include:

• Beans
• Lentils
• Oats
• Rice
• Potatoes

These work especially well in:

• Tacos
• Chili
• Meatloaf
• Casseroles
• Soups

You still get the flavor of the meat while using less of it.

Choose Lower-Cost Cuts

Less expensive cuts of meat can still make excellent meals.

They usually just need different cooking methods.

Lower-cost cuts often work best with:

• Slow cookers
• Braising
• Longer cooking times

A slow cooker is especially useful for turning tougher cuts into tender meals while saving time.

Substitute Different Types of Meat

Sometimes the easiest savings come from switching proteins.

If beef prices are high, consider using:

• Ground turkey
• Chicken
• Pork

in recipes like tacos, pasta dishes, casseroles or soups.

Many dishes work well with whatever protein is cheapest that week.