Looking for cheap sources of meat

EzraDuncan · 03-21-2009, 12:56 PM

Does anyone have any hidden secrets? My food costs have almost doubles now since I cut out rice and cereal.

sugarless4life · 03-21-2009, 12:59 PM

Buy a turkey or turkey legs/thighs and make soup ... cheap!

Betty

LowCarbinChica · 03-21-2009, 01:00 PM

eggs are cheap. if you like tofu, it's pretty cheap too.

Buy it in bulk, not smaller packages. I love costco.

EzraDuncan · 03-21-2009, 01:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LowCarbinChica

eggs are cheap. if you like tofu, it's pretty cheap too.

Buy it in bulk, not smaller packages. I love costco.

Is costco really worth it? Is it more in Bulk than cheaper prices? Theres a Sams Club near here I might check it out.

EzraDuncan · 03-21-2009, 01:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sugarless4life

Buy a turkey or turkey legs/thighs and make soup ... cheap!

Betty

I always forget I can have dark meat now.

xo ashley · 03-21-2009, 01:04 PM

Hm. I find that I'm spending a lot less money on meat then I was on other stuff.

I go to the grocery store once a week, and whatever meat is on sale, I stock up. I did that for about 3 weeks, and now I haven't had to buy meat in a couple weeks. I buy slightly larger quantites. The pick 'n save by me usually has single-serving filets in 3-6 packs, or ground beef for cheap. I just buy a lot of it at once, and spend quite a bit at once, but then don't need to go back!

Oh, buy a whole roasting chicken. Way cheaper then buying chicken breasts!

LowCarbinChica · 03-21-2009, 01:09 PM

ummm, costco brings really good quality meats so if you don't want to sacrifice quality, then that's my #1 choice. And if you buy it in bulk, you can freeze what you're not using right away...or like buy a bunch of chicken, poach it all, slice or cube it, then freeze it back up until you're ready to use it for chicken salad, soup, etc.

Plus, I'm going to advocate the product line i work for: Coleman Natural/Coleman Organic, and Hans' All Natural chicken sausages. They're all low-carb, no sugar, gluten free, yadda yadda yadda. Really good for our diets and a great price, and all available at Costco.

Mommie22boys · 03-21-2009, 01:09 PM

Honestly, if you can afford a large chunk of money up front, go in on a half a cow or pig with someone. You get a ton of meat, cut, wrapped and packaged the way you want it, in how much of each kind of cut you want, far much less per pound than buying at the store. Tastes better too, IMHO.

EzraDuncan · 03-21-2009, 01:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mommie22boys

Honestly, if you can afford a large chunk of money up front, go in on a half a cow or pig with someone. You get a ton of meat, cut, wrapped and packaged the way you want it, in how much of each kind of cut you want, far much less per pound than buying at the store. Tastes better too, IMHO.

Where do i buy half a pig?

GetFitNYC · 03-21-2009, 01:23 PM

Oh... I will not comment on cheap meat!

Charski · 03-21-2009, 01:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LowCarbinChica

ummm, costco brings really good quality meats so if you don't want to sacrifice quality, then that's my #1 choice. And if you buy it in bulk, you can freeze what you're not using right away...or like buy a bunch of chicken, poach it all, slice or cube it, then freeze it back up until you're ready to use it for chicken salad, soup, etc.

Plus, I'm going to advocate the product line i work for: Coleman Natural/Coleman Organic, and Hans' All Natural chicken sausages. They're all low-carb, no sugar, gluten free, yadda yadda yadda. Really good for our diets and a great price, and all available at Costco.

GIRLfriend! I

the Coleman's chicken meatballs - both the Chipotle Cheddar ones and most especially the Italian Parmesan ones!

GOOD products and not full of crap. You lucky dawg I bet YOUR freezer is full of those good things!

LowCarbinChica · 03-21-2009, 01:25 PM

LOL Leadsinger! I don't get it? But ya, quality food is worth a little extra $...if that's what you meant?

Thinagain65 · 03-21-2009, 01:27 PM

Whole chicken in the bag. I like to cook it whole in the skin, which keeps it moist. Cheapest way to buy chicken if you like all of the bird.

Go to a real butcher, or at least a real meatcutter, not the grocery store. You can get a whole ribeye cut up usually for at least $1 a pound less, sometimes a lot more. I get them cut at about 1/2 inch thick, so they will thaw fast and I have a reasonable (8 oz or so) meal sized portion. I go back and get the big ones for special events. I get the thin ribeyes individually wrapped and freeze them, so I always have something on hand.

You can find pork loins on sale and cut them yourself. Porkchops are usually reasonably priced in bulk.

Beef Brisket isn't always cheap, but there is certainly a lot of it to enjoy.

Some stores have two for one specials that can be good.

There's a butcher in my area that has several grades of beef, including select. A select whole ribeye can be pretty cheap, yet, if the guy knows how to select his beef, just as good as choice, which they mostly call Angus these days.

Fresh Market has grass fed Ribeyes at a much lower price than their grain fed. Taste's pretty good to me.

LowCarbinChica · 03-21-2009, 01:28 PM

Char....Have you tried the Sun Dried Tomato & Provolone ones yet? They're good.

I'm helping them come out with newer flavors too, it's my favorite part of the job!

And yes, my freezer is packed with samples of everything. You live in CA right? Which Costco is the closest to you? I'll make sure we run a roadshow close to you if I can. It'll give you the opportunity to try things that Costco doesn't normally carry.

dointhis4me · 03-21-2009, 01:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EzraDuncan

Where do i buy half a pig?

In our area a lot of farmers list on Craigslist when they have pigs or cows available. Our cow will be ready in July & our pig in Oct, I can't wait

Oh, the things that make me happy nowadays

retroworx · 03-21-2009, 01:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LowCarbinChica

LOL Leadsinger! I don't get it? But ya, quality food is worth a little extra $...if that's what you meant?

it was a sexual innuendo

GetFitNYC · 03-21-2009, 01:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LowCarbinChica

LOL Leadsinger! I don't get it? But ya, quality food is worth a little extra $...if that's what you meant?

hahaha... umm, yeah.. that's what I meant, sure

.

Charski · 03-21-2009, 01:29 PM

Also Smart & Final has some REALLY good buys on meat - watch their ads. Their "everyday price" on a whole brisket is usually $1.79 a pound - cheaper than hamburger! I grind up about half of it and pack in 1 pound packs, freeze; the rest of the brisket either gets smoked when DH has the smoker running, or cooked low and slow in the crockpot.

xo ashley · 03-21-2009, 01:30 PM

i'm seriously laughing out loud at the cheap meat comment... thanks for that.

Charski · 03-21-2009, 01:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LowCarbinChica

Char....Have you tried the Sun Dried Tomato & Provolone ones yet? They're good.

I'm helping them come out with newer flavors too, it's my favorite part of the job!

And yes, my freezer is packed with samples of everything. You live in CA right? Which Costco is the closest to you? I'll make sure we run a roadshow close to you if I can. It'll give you the opportunity to try things that Costco doesn't normally carry.

I haven't seen that flavor yet!!

I'm near the Sand City Costco - oh yes PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE come and visit here! Do YOU come to the roadshows? We'll meet up!!

LowCarbinChica · 03-21-2009, 01:31 PM

Buying an actual "pig" is so harsh.

I know I know....but seriously. Wilberrrrrr

JBo · 03-21-2009, 01:32 PM

Road kill anyone? Saved me tons!

Starzmom · 03-21-2009, 01:32 PM

Buy the meats that are reduced in price because they are going out of date. Cook well. Beef steaks that are aged are more tender.

Charski · 03-21-2009, 01:34 PM

I posted this on another thread - one of the Safeways nearby had SO MANY good things in the 50% Off section one day, that by the time I got done shopping (only sale items) the checker had to call the manager to come override the computer - it didn't like it because I had saved 58% overall!

I got 2 big packs of chicken thighs at 50% off, 4 flank steaks 50% off, and they had their whole turkey breasts (frozen) at .99 a pound instead of the customer two-sumthin. They didn't make much on ME that day!!

LowCarbinChica · 03-21-2009, 01:36 PM

Char....I'm establishing my NorCal roadshow team within the coming weeks, so i'll make sure we are centralized in SJ. Last year we did more of the north bay but it's good to get to you health nuts in the central coast area too!

I usually train the teams at their first couple of events. I will DEFINITELY let you know if I can finagle this. Yayyyy, that would be fun.

Do you like the Hans' All Natural Chicken Sausages? They will have Spinach Fontina & Roasted Garlic, and Sun Dried Tomato, Basil & Provolone all through '09.

dointhis4me · 03-21-2009, 01:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LowCarbinChica

Buying an actual "pig" is so harsh.

I know I know....but seriously. Wilberrrrrr

I know, pigs are my favorite animal (alive

) so it is sad so I don't think about it, lol. The cow we had the option of going to see if before hand....ummm, no thanks!!!!!

Charski · 03-21-2009, 01:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LowCarbinChica

Char....I'm establishing my NorCal roadshow team within the coming weeks, so i'll make sure we are centralized in SJ. Last year we did more of the north bay but it's good to get to you health nuts in the central coast area too!

I usually train the teams at their first couple of events. I will DEFINITELY let you know if I can finagle this. Yayyyy, that would be fun.

Do you like the Hans' All Natural Chicken Sausages? They will have Spinach Fontina & Roasted Garlic, and Sun Dried Tomato, Basil & Provolone all through '09.

OH, I hope you can get down here! It's about an hour south of San Jose. Not that far, right?

I haven't tried those sausages yet. I've picked the packages up and fondled them a couple times but not bought them! LOL! We aren't HUGE fans of the sausages but they look so good - so yeah, come down, sample them, and convince me!

wifey · 03-21-2009, 01:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Leadsinger777

Oh... I will not comment on cheap meat!

Umm yeah I don't think he ment tubesteak!!

LowCarbinChica · 03-21-2009, 01:44 PM

Char, I can sell my meat and sausage like no other.

pervs.

GetFitNYC · 03-21-2009, 01:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AmberNikki80

Umm yeah I don't think he ment tubesteak!!

LOL....

03-21-2009, 01:34 PM	#24
Charski Way too much time on my hands! Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Mostly in the kitchen! Posts: 33,851 Gallery: Charski Stats: 174 (WW)/139/150 goal 5'5" 59 years YOUNG! WOE: ATKINS always Start Date: May 2003	I posted this on another thread - one of the Safeways nearby had SO MANY good things in the 50% Off section one day, that by the time I got done shopping (only sale items) the checker had to call the manager to come override the computer - it didn't like it because I had saved 58% overall! I got 2 big packs of chicken thighs at 50% off, 4 flank steaks 50% off, and they had their whole turkey breasts (frozen) at .99 a pound instead of the customer two-sumthin. They didn't make much on ME that day!! __________________ It's easy to be miserable. Being happy takes more work. ~~from Ondine, the movie~~ Veni, vidi, velcro - I came, I saw, I stuck. I reject your reality and substitute my own! ~~ Adam on Mythbusters

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03-21-2009, 12:56 PM	#1
EzraDuncan Senior LCF Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 512 Gallery: EzraDuncan	Looking for cheap sources of meat Does anyone have any hidden secrets? My food costs have almost doubles now since I cut out rice and cereal.

03-21-2009, 12:59 PM	#2
sugarless4life Atkins Ambassador Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Norman, Oklahoma Posts: 14,200 Gallery: sugarless4life Stats: 5'3 / 100 pounds / 56 yo /maintaining for 9 years WOE: Lost it with Atkins / RUNNING to keep it off! Start Date: January 19, 2002 -10 1/2 YEARS ON ATKINS	Buy a turkey or turkey legs/thighs and make soup ... cheap! Betty

03-21-2009, 01:00 PM	#3
LowCarbinChica Senior LCF Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 980 Gallery: LowCarbinChica Stats: 183/175.7/145	eggs are cheap. if you like tofu, it's pretty cheap too. Buy it in bulk, not smaller packages. I love costco.

03-21-2009, 01:04 PM	#6
xo ashley Senior LCF Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 625 Gallery: xo ashley Stats: 155140 125 WOE: Atkins Start Date: 02/01/2009... Quit in 2011. Back 3/31/13	Hm. I find that I'm spending a lot less money on meat then I was on other stuff. I go to the grocery store once a week, and whatever meat is on sale, I stock up. I did that for about 3 weeks, and now I haven't had to buy meat in a couple weeks. I buy slightly larger quantites. The pick 'n save by me usually has single-serving filets in 3-6 packs, or ground beef for cheap. I just buy a lot of it at once, and spend quite a bit at once, but then don't need to go back! Oh, buy a whole roasting chicken. Way cheaper then buying chicken breasts!

03-21-2009, 01:09 PM	#7
LowCarbinChica Senior LCF Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 980 Gallery: LowCarbinChica Stats: 183/175.7/145	ummm, costco brings really good quality meats so if you don't want to sacrifice quality, then that's my #1 choice. And if you buy it in bulk, you can freeze what you're not using right away...or like buy a bunch of chicken, poach it all, slice or cube it, then freeze it back up until you're ready to use it for chicken salad, soup, etc. Plus, I'm going to advocate the product line i work for: Coleman Natural/Coleman Organic, and Hans' All Natural chicken sausages. They're all low-carb, no sugar, gluten free, yadda yadda yadda. Really good for our diets and a great price, and all available at Costco.

03-21-2009, 01:09 PM	#8
Mommie22boys Major LCF Poster! Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Western NY Posts: 2,496 Gallery: Mommie22boys Stats: 205/188.4/135 5'5.5" WOE: NK/JUDDD Start Date: Originally 6/7/07, Now 4/1/13	Honestly, if you can afford a large chunk of money up front, go in on a half a cow or pig with someone. You get a ton of meat, cut, wrapped and packaged the way you want it, in how much of each kind of cut you want, far much less per pound than buying at the store. Tastes better too, IMHO.

03-21-2009, 01:23 PM	#10
GetFitNYC Major LCF Poster! Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: New York City Posts: 1,579 Gallery: GetFitNYC WOE: Low Carb 98% of the time. Start Date: 2005	Oh... I will not comment on cheap meat!

03-21-2009, 01:25 PM	#12
LowCarbinChica Senior LCF Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 980 Gallery: LowCarbinChica Stats: 183/175.7/145	LOL Leadsinger! I don't get it? But ya, quality food is worth a little extra $...if that's what you meant?

03-21-2009, 01:27 PM	#13
Thinagain65 Senior LCF Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Mobile Posts: 160 Gallery: Thinagain65 Stats: 300/234/200 6'1" WOE: Low carb my way Start Date: Sept 2006	Whole chicken in the bag. I like to cook it whole in the skin, which keeps it moist. Cheapest way to buy chicken if you like all of the bird. Go to a real butcher, or at least a real meatcutter, not the grocery store. You can get a whole ribeye cut up usually for at least $1 a pound less, sometimes a lot more. I get them cut at about 1/2 inch thick, so they will thaw fast and I have a reasonable (8 oz or so) meal sized portion. I go back and get the big ones for special events. I get the thin ribeyes individually wrapped and freeze them, so I always have something on hand. You can find pork loins on sale and cut them yourself. Porkchops are usually reasonably priced in bulk. Beef Brisket isn't always cheap, but there is certainly a lot of it to enjoy. Some stores have two for one specials that can be good. There's a butcher in my area that has several grades of beef, including select. A select whole ribeye can be pretty cheap, yet, if the guy knows how to select his beef, just as good as choice, which they mostly call Angus these days. Fresh Market has grass fed Ribeyes at a much lower price than their grain fed. Taste's pretty good to me.

03-21-2009, 01:28 PM	#14
LowCarbinChica Senior LCF Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 980 Gallery: LowCarbinChica Stats: 183/175.7/145	Char....Have you tried the Sun Dried Tomato & Provolone ones yet? They're good. I'm helping them come out with newer flavors too, it's my favorite part of the job! And yes, my freezer is packed with samples of everything. You live in CA right? Which Costco is the closest to you? I'll make sure we run a roadshow close to you if I can. It'll give you the opportunity to try things that Costco doesn't normally carry.

03-21-2009, 01:29 PM	#18
Charski Way too much time on my hands! Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Mostly in the kitchen! Posts: 33,851 Gallery: Charski Stats: 174 (WW)/139/150 goal 5'5" 59 years YOUNG! WOE: ATKINS always Start Date: May 2003	Also Smart & Final has some REALLY good buys on meat - watch their ads. Their "everyday price" on a whole brisket is usually $1.79 a pound - cheaper than hamburger! I grind up about half of it and pack in 1 pound packs, freeze; the rest of the brisket either gets smoked when DH has the smoker running, or cooked low and slow in the crockpot.

03-21-2009, 01:30 PM	#19
xo ashley Senior LCF Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 625 Gallery: xo ashley Stats: 155140 125 WOE: Atkins Start Date: 02/01/2009... Quit in 2011. Back 3/31/13	i'm seriously laughing out loud at the cheap meat comment... thanks for that.

03-21-2009, 01:31 PM	#21
LowCarbinChica Senior LCF Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 980 Gallery: LowCarbinChica Stats: 183/175.7/145	Buying an actual "pig" is so harsh. I know I know....but seriously. Wilberrrrrr

03-21-2009, 01:32 PM	#22
JBo Senior LCF Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: SoDak Posts: 911 Gallery: JBo Stats: 230/179/160 WOE: ZC	Road kill anyone? Saved me tons!

03-21-2009, 01:32 PM	#23
Starzmom Senior LCF Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 652 Gallery: Starzmom Stats: 66/64.5 pounds to go!/goal WOE: Low Carb Start Date: May 2013	Buy the meats that are reduced in price because they are going out of date. Cook well. Beef steaks that are aged are more tender.

03-21-2009, 01:36 PM	#25
LowCarbinChica Senior LCF Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 980 Gallery: LowCarbinChica Stats: 183/175.7/145	Char....I'm establishing my NorCal roadshow team within the coming weeks, so i'll make sure we are centralized in SJ. Last year we did more of the north bay but it's good to get to you health nuts in the central coast area too! I usually train the teams at their first couple of events. I will DEFINITELY let you know if I can finagle this. Yayyyy, that would be fun. Do you like the Hans' All Natural Chicken Sausages? They will have Spinach Fontina & Roasted Garlic, and Sun Dried Tomato, Basil & Provolone all through '09.

03-21-2009, 01:44 PM	#29
LowCarbinChica Senior LCF Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 980 Gallery: LowCarbinChica Stats: 183/175.7/145	Char, I can sell my meat and sausage like no other. pervs.