Meat can account for a large portion of your grocery budget. Here are six easy ways you can save money on beef – including steak, roast, and ground beef.
This post is funded by The Beef Checkoff and brought to you by The Motherhood. All opinions in this blog are my own.
This time of year a lot of my discretionary budget has gone to buying Christmas gifts and decorating our home for Christmas.
This is only possible because I’m very careful with my grocery budget to help keep my overall budget in check.
Did you know that just in time for the upcoming holiday meals, beef retail prices are down?
This season, beef retail prices are down nearly 10 percent from the highest prices in late 2014. This is great news for those of us who have to shop for and plan holiday meals, too!
6 Ways to Save on Beef
The Beef Checkoff, the leading authority on all things beef, shares expert tips on how to get the best deals on beef this holiday season and every day.
1. Consider the price per serving.
2. Buy family-size packs/bundles. (Tip: Portion into servings and store in freezer bags.)
3. Go small.
4. Buy largest cuts and slice your own.
5. Hunt for bargains.
6. Ask for help.
You can see more detail about these money-saving tips on the infographic shown above.
My three favorite cuts of beef to buy are steaks, roast, and ground beef.
Steaks – My husband and I usually save these for an at-home date night. I love to pick up steaks when I can buy the bulk pack or individual ones on manager markdown. (You NEED this grill seasoning.)
Roast – I love to buy a nice size roast and throw it in the Crockpot before work. I can come home to a tender, juicy roast with vegetables in its own gravy. Yum!
Ground beef – I buy this in bulk, too. As a working mom, I save time on meals by cooking ground beef in bulk. Then, I can make a quick pot of chili, sloppy joes, or tacos.
Adding beef to your holiday table
Add roasts to your grocery list this holiday season, an excellent cut of beef to serve friends and family!
The Beef Council has the resources you need for preparing a perfect roast to wow your guests.
This oven roasting guide will help take the guess work out of this simple preparation method.
Follow this guide to find out exactly how much beef to buy for your guests, no more, no less.
Confused about which roast to buy? Visit the Interactive Butcher Counter for a variety of options – you pick which beef cut fits your needs!
For additional holiday entertaining ideas, browse this recipe collection at beefitswhatsfordinner.com.
Beef storage and handling
When you’re at the grocery store, pick up beef just before checking out.
A good rule of thumb is this: if it will take longer than 30 minutes to get your freshly purchased beef home, consider keeping it in a cold cooler.
Once you’re home, refrigerate or freeze beef as soon as possible after purchasing, and always place beef packages on the lowest shelf in your refrigerator on a plate or tray to catch any escaping juices.
For best quality, thaw steaks and roasts in the refrigerator—never at room temperature—and be sure to place the frozen package on a plate or tray to catch any escaping juices during the thawing process.
Check out these refrigerator and freezer storage guidelines to ensure maximum quality.
Tip: You can quickly thaw Ground Beef in your microwave in five minutes or less – just follow these simple steps.
Tis the season for delicious cooking! This recipe guide will ensure you are equipped with easy-to-make, versatile dishes that bring cheer to any occasion: http://www.beefitswhatsfordinner.com/holiday
The holidays are just around the corner and what better way to celebrate than with a delicious Rib Roast at the center of your table.
This Maple Glazed Roast with Roasted Acorn Squash is easy to prepare before guests arrive, giving you the gift of time with family and friends! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d-oKPJ0qk18&t=9s
For holiday recipes such as Citrus-Marinated Beef and Fruit Kabobs, Braised Short Ribs with Red Wine Sauce and Beef Stuffing with Apples and Cranberries, visit beefitswhatsfordinner.com.
[…] if you want some tips on how to save money on beef, just click on the […]