When you do your grocery shopping, the most expensive items tend to be the meats you buy. That’s because most of us tend to go for pricier cuts of meat. But ask any butcher and they’ll be happy to tell you that some of those cheaper cuts can actually make you a better meal and will be better for your budget too.
Cheaper cuts of beef are things like ground or minced meat, chuck, brisket, or blade. You can also get lamb shoulder for cheap, chicken thighs, and pork belly, chops, or shoulder that will fit with your budget. The trick is knowing how to use these to your advantage. Here are some tips to help with that!
Plan ahead
Many of these meats are tougher, but that doesn’t mean you can’t make them tender. It just takes slow cooking to render them to perfection. Marinate them and drop them in your slow cooker with vegetables to come home to a wonderfully aromatic and completely cooked meal after a long day at the office.
Talk to your local butcher
Instead of grabbing random meats that you see at the supermarket, visit your local butcher shop. Butchers know meat and by telling them what you’d like to make and what your budget is, they can make suggestions you might not have thought of. If you had your heart set on steak, they can show you beef cuts that taste juicy and tender that cost much less than filet mignon. Also, they can prepare any cut of meat for you and trim off the fat too.
Portion them out
Another advantage of visiting the butcher for your meats is that you can have your meats portioned out. You can find many different ways to cook different cuts and this will also save you money and prevent waste. Not sure how to use it? Again, ask the butcher!
Make use of bright seasonings
When you use seasonings like curry powder, chili pepper, Cajun, or anything bright and vibrant, it can take a cheap cut of meat and turn it into a culinary delight. Simmer tougher cuts in sauces and you’ll find they virtually melt in your mouth when they’re ready to serve.
Let fat work for you
Rendering off the fat to cook with is a smart way to use the natural flavors and get a sublime texture out of what you’re cooking. Just remember to drain it off before you add anything else to the pan to avoid making it too fatty.
Use recipes where cheap cuts blend in
Save the chicken breast for that fancy chicken recipe that requires it to be the star. Use your cheap cuts like your chicken thighs for making things like chicken pot pie, where chicken breast won’t be noticed. The same is true for things like casseroles where a cheaper cut will add gobs of flavor, be rendered tender, and keep the cost of your meals down without sacrificing taste.