Earlier this month, we discussed the powerful protein food group in all of its glory. This post takes a deeper dive into the meats of the protein food group, detailing which meats are the cheaper cuts of meat. If you’re doing what you can to stretch your grocery budget, you know that meat can be extremely pricy.
Inexpensive cuts of meat are typically less tender than their expensive counterparts, and they usually will need a bit more time and preparation. This does not mean, however, that you can’t create a delicious meal with cheaper cuts of meat.
Chicken is versatile, inexpensive, and easy to prepare. Purchasing chicken whole is cheaper per pound than purchasing it already prepared in a form like chicken thighs or breasts.
When purchasing whole chicken, you can intend to cook it whole, or you can cut it up yourself into its respective parts. This guide by Rachel Rozsmann is a great one to check out if you are new to cutting whole chicken into its parts.
With rising food prices, many shoppers look for ways to save money on groceries. When it comes to poultry, turkey and chicken are popular options. But which one provides more value for your budget? Conventional wisdom says chicken costs less per pound. However, a closer look reveals that turkey can be the more cost-effective choice in many cases.
Comparing Supermarket Prices
First, let’s examine standard supermarket prices. Whole frozen turkeys commonly cost approximately $1 per pound. Of course, prices vary a bit depending on brand, sales, and whether the turkey is organic. But in general, expect to pay around $1/lb for whole turkeys.
Meanwhile, whole chickens typically range from $1.29 to $1.99 per pound. Yes, chicken can go on sale for $1/lb at times. But the regular non-sale price tends to exceed turkey. So already, turkey provides more meat for your money based on standard pricing.
Factoring In Number of Servings
We also need to consider the amount of edible meat yielded from each bird after cooking Turkeys have a clear advantage here.
Due to their large size, turkeys produce significantly more cooked meat than chickens pound for pound. A 15 lb turkey may yield 10+ lbs of cooked meat, compared to just 4-6 lbs from a chicken. With more total servings, your turkey dollars go further.
Additionally chickens have a higher bone-to-meat ratio than turkeys. More of a turkey’s weight comes from pure meat rather than bones. So you get even greater value from your turkey purchase.
Bulk Pricing Favors Turkey
For large gatherings, buying poultry in bulk can save money. Here again, turkey wins over chicken.
Whole frozen turkeys frequently go on sale before holidays for as low as $0.29/lb. It’s rare to find chicken for less than $1/lb, even when buying in bulk.
Even without holiday sales, bulk turkey parts like breast and drumsticks cost much less than chicken pieces. Breaking down a whole turkey yourself allows access to these bulk savings.
Ground Turkey Is More Affordable
Finally, consider ground turkey versus chicken. Pound for pound, ground turkey consistently costs at least $1 less than ground chicken. When comparing side by side, turkey is clearly the budget-friendly choice.
Ground turkey also works well in many recipes calling for beef or sausage. Its versatility and affordability make it easy to incorporate into meal plans.
The Verdict
After comparing standard costs, number of servings, bulk pricing, and versatility, turkey emerges as a cheaper poultry protein than chicken overall.
Of course, special sales on chicken can occasionally beat turkey prices. But in most cases, turkey provides more meat for your money and stretches your grocery budget further.
So next time you shop, give turkey a try to enjoy delicious meals while saving money! Here are some tips:
-
Check turkey prices before holidays for deals
-
Buy whole turkeys and portion yourself
-
Cook multiple meals from one bird
-
Substitute versatile ground turkey for recipes with ground beef
Making the Most of Budget-Friendly Turkey
Once you’ve purchased your cost-effective turkey, there are plenty of ways to make the most of this lean, affordable protein.
Get Creative With Leftovers
Don’t let leftover turkey go to waste! Get creative with these ideas:
-
Turkey sandwiches and wraps with cranberry sauce or pesto spread
-
Hearty turkey chili or stew
-
Turkey tacos with salsa and avocado
-
Turkey casserole with veggies and rice
-
Turkey salad with nuts, dried cranberries, and tangy vinaigrette
-
Turkey soup with noodles or veggies
Cook Low-Cost Turkey Parts
Opt for budget-friendly turkey parts like thighs, drumsticks, and wings. Jazz them up with bold seasoning blends and marinades.
- Crispy baked wings with hot honey glaze
- Juicy grilled turkey thighs with Cajun seasoning
- Slow cooker turkey drumsticks in an herb-garlic broth
Whip Up Ground Turkey Meals
Versatile ground turkey is perfect for family favorites like these:
- Turkey burgers with caramelized onions and chimichurri
- Zesty turkey meatballs in tomato basil sauce
- Turkey tacos with corn tortillas, pico de gallo and cotija cheese
- Healthy turkey bolognese over whole wheat pasta
- Easy turkey meatloaf with mashed potatoes
Stretch Turkey With Veggies and Grains
Mix turkey with budget-friendly veggies, grains and beans to create satisfying meals:
- Turkey fried rice with carrots, peas and eggs
- Hearty turkey skillet with kale, carrots and quinoa
- Turkey and black bean enchiladas
- Turkey stuffed peppers with rice and marinara
- Turkey noodle soup with spinach
With a bit of creativity, turkey can take you far when it comes to providing healthy, inexpensive meals for your family. Take advantage of this lean, affordable poultry and make the most of your grocery dollars.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is turkey actually cheaper than chicken?
Yes, when comparing standard supermarket prices, yield of edible meat, and versatility, turkey consistently proves to be more budget-friendly than chicken overall.
What are the best ways to save money on turkey?
Buy whole turkeys rather than parts, shop holiday sales on frozen turkeys, opt for turkey thighs or drumsticks, and substitute versatile ground turkey in recipes calling for beef.
How can I stretch my turkey dollars?
Use leftovers in creative ways, cook more affordable turkey parts like thighs and wings, mix ground turkey into family favorites, and combine turkey with veggies, grains and beans.
What are some tasty ground turkey meal ideas?
Burgers, meatballs, tacos, pasta sauce, meatloaf, stuffed peppers, chili, turkey fried rice, and more!
Is turkey healthy as well as budget-friendly?
Yes! Turkey provides lean protein and nutrients like niacin, vitamin B6, selenium and zinc with less saturated fat than red meat.
So next time you shop, consider giving turkey a try to enjoy nutritious, delicious meals while sticking to your grocery budget. With a little creativity in preparation, this poultry can take you far!
Beef or Pork Ribs
When purchasing beef or pork ribs, you want to look for ones that have a large amount of meat, and a small amount of fat. The fat keeps the meat moist as it cooks, but you do not want too much of it on there.
At minimum, half of the weight of the ribs are bone, so try to get ribs that have fewer bones and more meat for the price. Check out this guide to purchasing ribs.
If you prefer pre-cut chicken over purchasing whole-chicken, chicken thighs are your way to go.
Chicken thighs are often more flavorful and less expensive than their more commonly sought after counterparts, the chicken breast. Chicken thighs are an extremely versatile meat that can be prepared in numerous ways.
Lamb is a wonderful grilling meat. The downside is that good lamb meat can be hard to find, and expensive. Lamb breast is cut from the rib section of the lamb, is full of flavor, and is cheaper than lamb-loin chops.
Let the lamb breast sit in a strong marinade for several hours before cooking to combat the toughness of the meat. If your piece is thin, cook it hot and fast. If it is a thicker piece, cook it low and slow.
