Meat prices aren’t getting any cheaper, but that does not mean you have to spend a fortune to enjoy great BBQ. Over the years, I have found a few simple ways to save money on meat without sacrificing quality. In this guide, I will show you how I buy, portion, and store meat for grilling and smoking so I can save money and always have something ready for my next cook.
Key Takeaway
I save money on BBQ meat by buying larger cuts, portioning them myself, and freezing what I don’t use right away. It takes a little extra time, but the savings add up, and I always have meat ready for my next cook.
Buy Larger Cuts Instead of Smaller Packages
Nobody works for free. That means that buying pre-packaged, pre-sliced, or any smaller piece of meat costs more since there is labor involved.
Here are some examples.
At the time of me writing this, I can buy a whole pork loin for $2.99 per pound. Center cork chops cost $4.99 per pound.
By slicing the pork loin into thick pieces, I save $2.00 per pound.
I can buy a whole chicken most of the time for $1.99 per pound. I learned how to cut a chicken into 8 pieces. Chicken breast or thighs are sometimes $4.99 per pound. Another saving of $3.
Eddie’s Tip! By slicing it myself, I take out the labor and costs that the butcher would charge me.
Learn a Few Simple Butchering Skills
To save money on the price of meat, you don’t need fancy equipment. You can get most of it done with a sharp knife.
You can take it to a level that you are comfortable with and even buy a meat cleaver or a meat saw and save even more money.
The Best Meats to Buy in Bulk
I always keep my eyes on weekly ads from my local store, but also from Sam’s Club, Walmart, and Costco. In my area are also some restaurant supply stores that sell meat in bulk.
I know it is sometimes a pretty big chunk of money I have to pay, but I save a lot of money in the long run.
Freeze Meat the Right Way
After buying the meat in bulk and cutting it up into smaller portions, I use my vacuum sealer and freeze it as fast as I can.
For a long time, I had no vacuum sealer and used gallon freezer bags. Just make sure that you push out as much air as you can to prevent freezer burns
Don’t Waste the Leftovers
When you buy large cuts of meat and trim them, you have pieces that are not the size or cut you wanted.
Don’t waste them, but use them. I use small pieces of the roast I slice to make my own hamburger meat. I used to do that with a knife and slice it as small as I could.
Now I own a meat grinder for that.
How I Save Money on BBQ Meat
I am still learning more about saving money on meat. Not just for BBQ, but also in general for cooking.
Here are some more tips.
- Buy a 10-pound roll of hamburger meat and patty out your own burgers
- Buy a Pork Shoulder and slice your own pork chops out of it.
- Buy a pork belly and make your own bacon at home
I am getting more into homemade sausage and bacon at home, and not only does it save money, but it is also a new skill that can come in handy.
For this, I had to buy a meat grinder. The meat grinder is not just for making sausage, but can also help you grind your own hamburger from a on-sale roast or brisket.
I also use it to grind chicken and pork butt to make chicken sausage and pork sausage.
One thing I also do is look at meat sales in online meat stores, such as the ones I wrote about in my best meat delivery boxes. Surprisingly, it can be cheaper since you save money on gas and time.
If you have any tips to save money on buying meat, leave a comment ot contact me, and I will add it here.
Eddie van Aken – The Grilling Dutchman
Eddie van Aken is the founder of The Grilling Dutchman, where he shares practical BBQ tips, smoking techniques, recipes, and grill reviews based on real-world experience. After years of cooking on pellet grills, charcoal grills, smokers, and kamado cookers, he focuses on helping backyard cooks get better results with less guesswork. Learn more about Eddie van Aken. Learn more about Eddie van Aken.