During this season of economic decline we all want to feed our families well. This can be hard to accomplish without feeling the sting of over priced goods every time we purchase groceries! Meat prices have especially taken a toll these days causing our budgets to bend over a small package of chicken.
Maybe I am the only one who feels this way, but as a stay at home wife I absolutely hate the feeling that I am spending all the money my husband has worked so hard for! I know we have to eat, we have to buy groceries, there is not another economy to buy them in. However I do desire to be wise in this area.
I am no expert by any means! I decided I would throw together a list of a few things that I have been doing to help us save a few dollars and share them here. No matter if you are a homemaker or a career gal I think we can all benefit from these tips! I am sure many of you other ladies have tips as well, please feel free to share your feedback in the comments section below. Let’s help one another out during this difficult season!
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Tips on How to Get the Most out of Your Meat
- Wait for deals on bulk supply.
By bulk supply, I mean large portions of meat. A few good options to look out for are pork butt, brisket, whole chicken, and larger selections of roast. There are a few things that need to be considered beforehand such as- do you have enough freezer space to store it? How should the meat be cooked (does it require a grill, smoker, etc.) and what will you do with it after you have cooked it?
- Do not make meat the main subject of every meal.
This is a hard one if you are a meat eater! However, try to be more intentional to not make meat the main event. I have three words- beans, rice, taters! These three simple (and inexpensive) ingredients will help you stretch your meats beyond twice the servings. Breads and pastas are also another good way to get more out of your meats. You want to think of heavier foods that will fill you up quicker but at the same time compliment the meats well.
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- Save time and money.
Honestly these days my time is almost as valuable as my money. Because of this I do not just want to focus all my time on saving a few dollars. I find that making large portions of meat all at once, then freezing the cooked meat is the best way for me to get the most out of my time and money. Purchasing meats I can cook overnight essentially allows me to work in my sleep! Cooking meals in the crockpot during the day not only gives me bigger meals but also allows me to save time.
- A zero waste mentality.
A zero waste mentality may also help you make the most out of your meat purchases. Instead of thinking, “What meal can I make with this?” think, “How many uses are there for this meat?” A good example is this- if you are buying a whole chicken you can get two meals out of it by shredding it up and adding it to rice or a soup. Not only that, you can get six to seven quarts of chicken broth from the bones of that same whole chicken that you can use to make other meals later.
Cooking Ideas that Will Help You Stretch Your Meat Supply
- Pork Butt. Cooking a whole 8-10lb. pork butt in the oven or smoker will make you approximately four meals for four people (two meals for eight people). It is not at all time consuming and can be cooked overnight. All it requires is to be shredded, portioned, and frozen.
- Whole Chicken. Make a whole chicken in the oven or crockpot. You can shred the chicken and add it to soup, chicken and rice, tacos, etc. The bones and fat can be used to make chicken broth that can be canned and used for later meals. The amount of meals you will get from a whole chicken depends on what you plan to make with it.
- Chicken Breasts. Make chicken breasts stretch further by serving with rice. You can season the rice in any way you desire to make the meal more Oriental, Hispanic, Cajun, etc.
- Ground Beef. Add onions to ground beef to use less meat. This is perfect for tacos and spaghetti! If your children do not like onions try chopping them very finely and cooking them until they are soft. They will take on the flavor of whatever seasonings you use and will hardly be noticed.
I am sure there are so many more tips you readers have concerning buying and cooking meat to make more out of our meals. We would love to hear them from you! Thanks for reading.
Love these ideas, Tori!
Thanks!