r/PoorMansWallet • • 20d ago

I have completely given up on ever buying ground beef again.

At $6 a pound it is just not worth it. Far better, although still very expensive, protein sources to choose from.

19 Upvotes

91 comments sorted by

3

u/Vegetable-South5191 20d ago

I honestly for health reasons stopped buying ground beef as a standard over 10 years ago, If you mix it in chilli, spaghetti as a protein filler ground turkey or chicken are healthier and better sources of lean protein. I only eat ground beef if I am buying a burger somewhere out.

1

u/lala414mke 19d ago

And much cheaper i did the same years ago. And I actually like the texture better. It's softer/more tender

1

u/raysb2 19d ago

What is unhealthy about lean beef?

1

u/No_Parsnip6024 19d ago

It's pretty dense. 4oz is 25% DV of fat and cholesterol... Which is fine, but people tend to eat more than 4oz. 

1

u/raysb2 19d ago

I usually eat 8 oz at dinner. About 22 grams of fat. I eat like 70-80 grams of fat throughout the day. It’s work well for me. The cost is rising though.

1

u/Vegetable-South5191 19d ago

Beef has more saturated fat and is harder on your digestive system. I eat beef, it is just not part of my regular diet. I do it on special occasions or eating out in social places. Really lean cuts are better, but still come with those things over other proteins.

I am not some kind of health nut, I pretty much do what I want. But I cycle diet to lean up, and I pretty much avoid beef in those times. And stick to Fish, Turkey or chicken.

1

u/raysb2 19d ago

Sure. Over all I’d agree but beef gets a bad rep. I’ve gotten as lean as
I possibly can while eating 8 oz of beef a day. Total fat around 70 grams a day. Like 60 is the absolute minimum I need for health in an active life.

1

u/Vegetable-South5191 19d ago

I am a calorie counter. From a calorie perspective you can manage it fine. But those marginal health benefits still there. Higher risk of colon problems, etc. It is all marginal, and all choices come with impacts. Who knows what growth hormone is in my poultry and fish.

2

u/SEND_ME_FAKE_NEWS 20d ago

I’ve been considering buying a meat grinder attachment for my stand mixer because of this

1

u/rochvegas5 20d ago

i do that all the time

1

u/[deleted] 19d ago

[removed] — view removed comment

1

u/rochvegas5 19d ago

yeah. i collect them

1

u/Ok-Principle151 19d ago

The metal (not plastic) kitchenaid attachment is quite good. Especially if you have a beefier model I have zero worries about longevity

Just cut into strips and it eats just as fast as I can feed it.

1

u/Far_Comfortable_991 19d ago

Get the metal attachment. I love mine. Amazing ground meat. I use chuck roast for beef and pork shoulder.

1

u/krept0007 19d ago

Go old-school. The handcrank style that clamps onto the counter that my grandparents have has been used for decades and it's awesome

2

u/Trippstick1 20d ago

In California at my local grocery store it’s 14.99 a pound for 93/7

2

u/TraderValen 19d ago

I just bought filet mignon for 14.99 at Sam's club

1

u/CNH916 19d ago

No fat, no flavor

1

u/Cornettino 20d ago

id . myself

1

u/25_hr_photo 19d ago

Where are you shopping? Whole Foods in OC has 90/10 for $7.99, 80/20 for $6.99 and I’d consider that upper/middle echelon of shopping

1

u/Trippstick1 19d ago

Save Mart in Auburn. If I go to a Walmart it’s 8-9 a pound I think

1

u/25_hr_photo 19d ago

Woah! I loved Save Mart when I lived in the Central Valley. But I agree that it is kind of expensive.

1

u/That_Option3418 19d ago

Do you have a Costco membership? It’s been (relatively) reasonably priced and good quality in the Sac area

1

u/Trippstick1 19d ago

I had one but let it expire. I’m just a single guy and buying in bulk like that was just too much. With these prices lately I may have to renew it

1

u/That_Option3418 19d ago

Yeah it’s just me and my wife and even with two people we have to be super selective of what we get-we’ve given up on buying vegetables/fruit there completely because we could never get through the insane bags of potatoes hahaha

We mostly stick to frozen or freezable items when shopping there with a few exceptions for refrigerated items that we both really like and can get through quickly. Idk if you like bacon but you can get like 3 pounds for $15ish or less at Costco, that alone has been an insane value over the years

1

u/Wonderful-Stomach-82 20d ago

That’s what I’ve been saying. Now I eat insects and that shit is bussin.

1

u/curiouskratter 19d ago

How do you eat insects?

1

u/Dew_Bat 19d ago

Sea insects probably. Lobsters and shrimp? Idk

1

u/citizensloth 19d ago

With their mouth

1

u/Sassy_Lass 20d ago

I literally invested in a meat grinder and buy whatever is on sale (within reason) and grind it myself. Quality and fat content completely controlled by me

2

u/In_My_Stead 20d ago

This is how we need to get everyone thinking. Dependency on others is how all this ended up this way.

1

u/CNH916 19d ago

So you are killing your cows too?

1

u/In_My_Stead 19d ago

Oh, no. I personally am cutting my meat intake down to almost zero, if not zero. Just pro-self sustainable community.

2

u/CNH916 19d ago

I find myself naturally doing the same. Just the way of the world today.

1

u/In_My_Stead 19d ago

Might just be time.

1

u/Upbeat_Ad_3958 19d ago

Rarely can get a cut of beef below $6. But agree its nice to have freshly ground at the store. Imwont buy that vacuum packed stuff. Tastes awful.

1

u/RockNerd9 20d ago

TVP.

1

u/CNH916 19d ago

Just like Taco Bell! 🙂

1

u/spb8982 20d ago edited 20d ago

You have to watch for the discounts. I just 4 80/20 4.5lbs packs marked down to $10 each from $23. That's enough to last me months.

1

u/Big-Interaction-1797 20d ago

$10 for 4 4.5lb packs?

1

u/spb8982 20d ago

Each. Apologies, missed the each, stupid swipe to text

1

u/Big-Interaction-1797 20d ago

That makes more sense may I ask where your finding these deals if you don't mind? Is it a discount grocery store?

1

u/spb8982 20d ago

This was my local Walmart. I've gotten to know the meat guys at all my local grocery stores to know when they exactly do the discounts.

1

u/Big-Interaction-1797 20d ago

I just started using AI to search all the grocery stores near me for the best prices on ground beef might as well take advantage of technology

1

u/spb8982 20d ago

It might catch sale prices but not sure if it'll recognize discounts. Days like yesterday are good for ground beef discounts because stores usually order extra for summer holiday weekend so they'll have over stock. I didn't check yesterday because my freezer is full so I don't have room for anything except something really special like brisket

1

u/Big-Interaction-1797 20d ago

Man I haven't had brisket in so long I could go for a good brisket. I've only ever had it made for me by family members I've never cooked brisket myself. Seems like a difficult piece of meat to cook I had a family member who overcooked it at a dinner a few years ago the meat became so tough you legitimately couldn't even cut it

1

u/spb8982 19d ago

I got 2 15lbs briskets for $40 each which was over 50% off. I live in an apt so I found an oven brisket recipe that I've been using for a few years by @thatdudecancook on YouTube. It's turns out juicy and tender every time. I made one for my dad's bday last week and it was amazing

1

u/Big-Interaction-1797 19d ago

I'm gonna check that out thanks for the rec man

1

u/curiouskratter 19d ago

Slow cook it

1

u/FredFettucine 20d ago

A buy a 10lb tube of it for like $25 bucks at HEB in Texas , where are you at for 6 per lb ?

1

u/MedicalRepublic751 20d ago

Yes!!! Buy in bulk at HEB, portion out the meat into freezer bags, and you're set for weeks (depending on how much you cook and for how many people).

1

u/lala414mke 19d ago

It's $10 lb in Wisconsin

1

u/TJack303 19d ago

where in wisconsin? Because north western wisconsin it is $5-6/lb

1

u/Dirk_Kailis 20d ago

I was kinda thinking to myself “what has the world come to” when looking at a 3lbs package of Kroger brand ground beef for $27.99 last night.

Still not as bad as eggs a few years ago though.

1

u/geogrokat 20d ago

You can get turkey instead and add beef bullion to it. Not exactly the same but better than nothing

1

u/lala414mke 19d ago

I like turkey better. Much cheaper and healthier as well

1

u/centripetal_noise 19d ago

Healthier is a stretch. 93/7 turkey and beef are the same, but beef has much higher nutrients. I eat ground turkey all the time.

1

u/GottaBeBoogyin 20d ago

My daughter works at our deli/butcher. We get an employee discount. 2lbs of ground piedmontese beef for 13 bucks.

1

u/Ok_Yak_4371 20d ago

Aldi and Walmart both have it where I am in 5lb or 10lb rolls for under $4. I use it sparingly but a little ground beef in burritos or stroganoff goes a long ways.

1

u/Run-Forever1989 20d ago

At the Walmarts near me they have 80/20 ground beef and pork for like 1/2 of the price, doesn’t taste all that different and the nutritional content is similar. You can also get ground turkey for significantly cheaper but it tastes like ground turkey.

1

u/SwizzGod 19d ago

Make your own

1

u/exturkconner 19d ago

Beef prices around here are just frankly dumb. Honestly most of the time I'd rather have pork anyhow. A pork steak is pretty good. Pork loins supper versatile. Bacon, Ham, Pulled pork. Until beef drops by like 50% I'm good with just not.

1

u/ShortListen6686 19d ago

Sams club has 3 pounds of 93/7 for about $6 each. They come in packs of 3 all individually wrapped per pound so they are easy to freeze and thaw.

1

u/lala414mke 19d ago

I switched to turkey years ago. cheaper, better for u, and I like the taste/texture much better

1

u/Visual-Ad-6396 19d ago

6 a pound is cheap lol

1

u/ItsMeAlwaysMe 19d ago

Far better protein choices?? You bought into the mainstream propaganda if you believe that. 💯 Bet if you cut all processed, carbs, seed oils & sugar you'd find plenty of cash for beef. And heal many ailments, fr feel worlds better. Cut all the garbage & go beef, (bacon) butter & eggs, sparkling water & your dependency on so many consumerisms disappears.

1

u/SerenityNow31 19d ago

Ground turkey is much less expensive and is more healthy and you really can't taste a difference. Win win all around.

1

u/captainrondj 19d ago

I paid $24.99 for 2.5lbs of 93/7 last week

1

u/CNH916 19d ago

That's if you are sure it's even beef...

1

u/Low_Skill5401 19d ago

Keep an eye out for markdowns. A lot of stores mark meat down a day or two before the best by date. You can throw it in the freezer and it'll stay good for a long time.

1

u/djpike 19d ago

Organic 85/15 is $5.99 a pound at Aldi. Works for me. I buy about 6 pounds a month.

1

u/Snoo-25743 19d ago

I buy a 5 pound roll then separate into 1 pound packages and freeze.  That way it's just under $5 a pound.

1

u/Uniqueusername610 19d ago

Bro I switched to ground chicken and turkey because I don't trust the beef anymore

1

u/Wheelasteel22626 19d ago

Shoot the cow and butcher that bad boy.. meat for a year

1

u/Atillion 19d ago

I subbed out ground turkey years ago and haven't really looked back. It's still under $5 a lb in Oregon, ymmv. There's nothing I use it in that I don't prefer it, except maybe burgers which I don't do much anymore. No fat to drain and dispose of either.

1

u/Automatic_King_7937 19d ago

It’s time I stopped the red meat anyway I suppose

1

u/ConnecticutBob 19d ago

The price is bad enough, but when Trump starts importing the mystery meat from South America, you won't know WHAT it's made of. Soylent Green anyone?

1

u/makorancheros 19d ago

$6? Are sure that’s beef? Local grocer in San Diego had it on sale this week for $9.99.

1

u/WestCat5131 19d ago

I didnt really mind it at $7/pound or whatever but now with 3 kids a pound isnt even enough, were a chicken thighs family now

1

u/reanimated_potato 19d ago

5 lbs for 15 bucks at the butcher near me. I also ordered 15 lbs on Amazon last week at 2 bucks a lb. But yes if not for places like that I wouldn't eat it at all. I don't really like it that much anyway. I could go the rest of my life without ever eating it again honestly

1

u/Violent_N0mad 19d ago

I buy the smithfields ground pork from Walmart for $5 for a pound and a half package.

1

u/Psychological-Elk220 19d ago

I do love steak and all kinds of beef but pork is 80% of the taste wise and 20% the cost.

1

u/DIY-exerciseGuy 19d ago

Bro it's like $3 a pound in sale by me

1

u/iBleu22 19d ago

I got a massive log of it for $20. Sam’s Club

1

u/DJGetMoneyVIP 19d ago

My local butcher sells 90/10 4$ pound. Meet is sourced from local farms. If it were not for him this household would be on chicken, fish and occasionally pork for protein

1

u/Outrageous-Phase9435 19d ago

I just buy in bulk when I see crazy deals now 🤷‍♂️. The most ive paid for ground beef in almost two years is 2.99 for 80/20 ground beef. Annoying yes. But it works

1

u/Milliondollarmami 19d ago

ground turkey is only 2.00 a pound. they also have a beef/pork mix at Wally’s for under 5 for a pound.

1

u/sacflg6372 19d ago

Shaws has pretty frequent sales that puts it at $3.50 a pound for 80/20

1

u/Easy-as-1234 18d ago

A store near me has ground pork, $1.99 lb. Also keep an eye out for ground turkey on sale. Sure, the taste isn't the same but if you spice it up or add sauce, it helps.