Chicken thighs 69 cents a pound!
My mouth dropped as I checked the sign.
I guiltily admit that I had a moment of weakness.
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But it was just a momentary lapse.
Organic meat is one of the most expensive food items in my limited budget.
Not eating meat would, of course, help save money, but I like meat.
So, instead, Ive learned these seven foolproof ways tosave moneyon organic meat.
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1.
Watch Portion Sizes
Portion control is one of the easiest ways to save on meat.
The American Heart Associationsaysone serving of meat is 2 to 3 cooked ounces.
This measurement varies based on how fatty the meat is and if theres a bone.
With this rule in mind, you might divvy that 1-pound boneless sirloin steak into four 4-ounce servings.
That 8-ounce boneless chicken breast will make two servings.
And thats just the ground meat.
Other red meat cuts can cost up to 125% more than white meats.
And in steak recipes, I generally substitute pork chops.
Cheaper cuts come from less meaty regions or areas with more heavy muscle, tendons and ligaments.
Dark turkey and chicken meat is cheaper due tohigher demand for white meat.
While acheaper price is a huge benefit, these less expensive cuts are also loaded with lots of flavor.
Another advantage to the cheap cuts is they are harder to dry out when cooking.
Demand, holidays and food trends play huge parts in driving up or down the cost of organic meat.
Change of season is also a good opportunity for a sale, but more on that in a bit.
The 2017 summer will be a nice year for eating beef since global demand is driving beef prices down.Dr.
Foodtrends also drive meat prices.
Holidays also affect meat prices.
The dish is healthier while still being plenty meaty.
Farro, barley, quinoa and most ancient grains work well with almost any key in of meat.
But it is all about preference.
Dont be afraid to try different flavors and be creative.
One of my favorite meals is tacos with beans and whole grains to help stretch the meat.
I top the tacos with chopped lettuce, tomatoes, avocado, cheese and sour cream.
Finally, I finish the meal with a serving of tortilla chips and salsa on the side.
Cottage pie is another easy recipe my family enjoys.
I place the mixture in a casserole dish and top it with leftover mashed potatoes.
I then bake it until bubbly and serve it with a side salad for a complete meal.
Purchase From a Local Farmer
I love buying a portion of an animal directly from the farmer.
I find my local farmers through the farmers market.
Most farmers will sell portions of an animal ranging from a quarter to full.
Rarely will they go smaller than a quarter, but it never hurts to ask.
While the butcher seems an unlikely place, many are willing to give a discount for buying in bulk.
You will lose one-third to one-half of the quoted weight in processing.
Despite the lost weight, Its still always been cheaper tofill my freezerthis way than with store-bought meat.
Eat Whats in Season
Much like vegetables, organicmeat has seasons.
Your location determines when each seasons is.
See her latest yummy creations onInstagram: SimplySophisticatedCooking.
(Can you sense my millennial sarcasm there?)
You know which ones were talking about: rent, utilities, cell phone bill, insurance, groceries…
