Take that Free Turkey or HamIf you've earned enough to get a turkey or ham for free or incredibly cheap during the holidays but don't think you can use that big of a piece of meat, ask your butcher if they will cut it in half and rewrap it up for you!
Buy and Freeze Extra TurkeyAs cheap as turkeys are now (47 cents lb), buy 2. Cook and serve one and have the butcher cut one on his saw to freeze for later in the year. Ask him to wrap halves separately. Frozen turkey is good for about a year. Of course, you do need freezer space.
Honey Baked Ham BargainI love honey baked ham but the price is way beyond my means. My son loves my soup made from leftover ham bone cooked with dried 8 bean mix, so last year he bought a soup starter ham bone (which they keep frozen) and gave it to me.
Removing Bacon in One PieceI don't know how many times I've tried different ways to get one piece of bacon out of the package and into the pan flat, not ripped not torn but flat.
Turn Cheap Steak Into Amazing SteakI love a really good fillet mignon from time to time, but my purse never does! Here is a super easy way to make even the cheapest cuts of steak into a velvety delight, using just salt and sugar.
Mix Beef, Pork and Veal for Best MeatloafEveryone has their own old fashioned meatloaf recipe, usually handed down in the family. I know my mom taught me how to make my first meatloaf.
Buy Large Cut Instead of Lunch MeatI rarely purchase lunch meat at the deli. Instead, I buy whole turkeys or hams and ask my butcher if they can cut them into half, thirds or even fourths!
Using the Butcher to SaveI love saving money, as I'm sure most of you do. You buy in bulk at the market when specials are on. Well, I look at what's on sale, make a menu, then have the butcher cut my meat up to my specs.
Buy Meat in Bulk and DivideWe all know that buying meat in bulk is cheaper. I used to bring it home, divide it up into servings and re-wrap each serving. It cost me time and money for re-wrapping materials like plastic wrap or bags. Not anymore!
Tea for Tenderizing MeatTenderize meat with equal parts of strong brewed tea and double strength beef stock for a tough pot roast or stew. The tannin in tea is a natural meat tenderizer.
Thaw Turkey in DishwasherIf you need to thaw a turkey quickly, put it in the empty dishwasher and run a cycle with water only. Do not run the dry cycle. Repeat. Since the turkey is sealed in plastic, it is protected from contamination.
Use Less Marinade with a Plastic BagReady-bought liquid marinades can be very expensive, and sometimes the ingredients for marinade recipes to make at home can be costly as well. So why waste it?
Grind your Own Meat at HomeWith lean ground turkey being almost $4 a pound as well as lean ground pork and beef, we have been able to cut down on our costs by using our meat grinder that attaches to our stand mixer.
Juicy HamburgersIf you cook them partially frozen, they come moist and juicy inside. I just did this and made 2 hamburgers for my sister and me. She said it was the best hamburger she ever had.
Save When Buying Ground BeefI wait till the grocery stores have whole sirloin tips on sale. They are usually less than $2.50/lb. I buy and have them ground up for hamburger. This is about half the price of regular hamburger.
Keeping Bacon From CurlingWhen you buy bacon uncooked, run water over it, pat it dry a little bit, and it won't curl up on you.
Saving Money on Ground BeefBeing a busy mom I find myself trying to save time and money at the grocery store. Here is how I have saved money and time with ground beef or chuck:
Don't Waste That HamThis past Easter I baked a bone-in ham, wrapped in foil, then unwrapped and covered with a glaze. Delicious! In the past, I had never bothered going to the trouble of using the ham bone for soup or whatever, so I usually just picked off as much ham as possible and discarded the bone.
Tips For Cooking HamAlthough spiral cut hams are an attractive holiday treat, an uncut, bone-in ham provides better value for multiple meals.
Buy Whole Chickens And Save MoneyI was at one of the local warehouse stores and saw Perdue whole chickens at a very good price. Since chicken is a real favorite here, I bought as many as I could afford. Then, instead of freezing them whole, I invested a little time into cutting them up.
Using Leftover Juice From Cooked HamI freeze the juice from a cooked ham, then use it to season green beans and other vegetables. Although frozen, I can take out whatever amount I need and put the container back in the freezer. No need to divide before freezing.
Stop Bacon SplatterWhen you cook bacon on the stove, you can stop the splatter of grease on your stove and your hands and arms by putting a wadded up paper towel in the pan with the cooking bacon.
Buy Ground Beef in BulkWhen I buy ground round, I buy ten pounds at a time and make twenty 1/4 pound burgers, freeze them with Press and Seal; the rest I freeze in one pound bundles with the Press and Seal and then a Ziploc bag.
Brown Ground Turkey For "Faux" HamburgerThe economy is tough, so we are eating more ground turkey instead of ground hamburger. It is always difficult for me to get the turkey to taste less like turkey and to get brown.
Brown Hamburger In BulkTo help save time in the kitchen when I know it is going to be a busy week, I will buy a large amount of lean ground beef at Costco or Sam's. I purchase, say, a 5 1/2 pound package.
Thaw Meat FasterIf time is limited and you need to defrost in a hurry, take the meat out of the package, place it in water, and sprinkle salt into the cold water.
Food Safety When Using MarinadesHere's some safety information for anyone using marinades that raw beef, poultry, or fish have been marinated in, and is planning to use that marinade for basting the meat while it's cooking ...
Tenderizing Pork RoastTo tenderize a pork loin or pork butt, put 1 gallon cold water , 1 can of regular Pepsi, Coke, or any dark soda, and 1/2 cup table salt in a large enough container to hold the meat. Add garlic and your seasonings. Put the pork into the mixture and marinate overnight.
Tea as Meat TenderizerTenderize meat by adding equal parts strong brewed tea and double strength beef stock to a tough pot roast or stew. The tannin in tea is a natural meat tenderizer.
Adding Veggies to Meatloaf or Hamburger PattiesWhen making meatloaf or hamburger patties, add chopped vegetables and oatmeal or bran for fiber! If you make your own veggie juices at home as I do, use the leftover pulp.
Mixing Ground Meat With VenisonIn this economy, even those of us that once had solid jobs have found ourselves out of work and needing to visit the local food bank to stretch our food dollars. Here in Missouri, frozen ground venison meat is often offered at food banks via a "share the harvest" program.
Marinating SteakI have a steak marinade that we love to use, and a special treat for us. I use a fork to make holes in a steak or two. I coat both the outsides of each steak with a black peppercorn dry marinade, that includes the plastic bag. I massage this into both sides of the steaks.
Saving Money On Ground BeefTo save money on ground hamburger, turkey, etc. I buy it in bulk right before the 'best sold by date'. This way I get $2 to $3 off and often get hamburger for $1/lb! Then I separate it into pound amounts and freeze them for use when I need it.
Shish Kabob TipsWhen grilling, like "Hawaiian Chicken Kabobs", I thread each item on separate skewers, chicken on one skewer, onions on one skewer, mushrooms on one, etc.
Freeze Steak and Grate the Fat OffTo remove the fat, freeze your steak first. Then simply grate the fat off with a standard grater. You can get closer to the meat than with a knife if you are the normal cook.
Think Like a Butcher When Buying MeatI am always on the lookout for a bargain or a way to make my own bargain. My gram taught me years ago how to save money on meat purchases. If they have pork loin on sale, buy it and cut your own pork chops.
Cola as Cheap Steak MarinadeMy husband is a retired butcher and I am certified in Culinary Arts. Marinades are expensive. Try soaking your beef steak or roast in Cola or Dr. Thunder from Walmart. Cover for 24 hrs. Then season and cook.
Bone Your Own Chicken BreastsOur family eats a lot of chicken. I was buying chicken breast only when it went on sale for 2.00 or less. Cooking it in large batches and freezing it for future 'fast food'.
Making Cheap Ground Beef HealthierMy frugal tip is for cooking, but it's also a healthy one. Buy the cheap ground beef and BOIL it! The fat will rise to the top! Just don't pour the water (and grease) down your sink.
Vinegar Marinade To Tenderize MeatUse 2-3 Tbsp. of vinegar to tenderize meat. I add to my favorite marinade or, if I am not using a marinade, I mix 1/4 cup canola oil, 1/2 cup water and 2-3 Tbsp. vinegar (you can also use red wine vinegar but it takes 5-6 Tbsp.)
Using Cheaper Cuts of MeatWith the cost of fuel cutting away at our food budget, we have been buying less expensive cuts of meat and looking for innovative ways to serve them.
Try a Flat Iron SteakIf you haven't tried a Flat Iron Steak, it's an economical cut of beef and you should try it. I can buy a $7.00 steak, $5.00 if you have a Kroger's card and feed three adults. What they call Flat Iron Steak at Wal-Mart isn't the real deal. Krogers is the only store around here that I know for sure carries them, but I'm sure there are other stores in other areas that do.
Make Ham Gravy From DrippingsEaster is coming. Try this. Bake your ham, however you like. The drippings in the bottom of the pan, make great gravy, like you would make any gravy. Add a little flour, water and stir, add to drippings. Wait until you try this. My mother made this for years.
Poke a Hole in the Center of Your BurgerWhen making burgers, poke a hole straight through the middle with your finger after you have flattened them with your hands. This helps them cook faster, and stay flat. As the burger cooks, the holes fill in a bit, but it is also easier to check to see if they are done.
Heart Shaped Meat LoafFor Valentine's Day, I make a heart shaped meat loaf. You can add ketchup or any tomato based sauce that you prefer on top. If you have a heart shaped cake pan...
Use Minute Steaks For CookingWhen I make beef stroganoff or beef stir fry, I buy minute steaks from my butcher. One minute steak costs about $1.50 and I use one for every two people and more veggies.
Cider Vinegar for Flavoring MeatI have found that cider vinegar is fantastic for making meat more tender and tastier. I use it on every type of meat, except chicken. No matter how much vinegar you put on you, don't taste it.
Use Baking Soda To Tenderize MeatWhen making stews or soups, and the meat will not get tender, try dipping a large wet tablespoon in your baking soda box and stirring it into your pot.
Browning Ground BeefTips from our readers for browning ground meat for a variety of uses.
Making Turkey (or Chicken) SoupWhen making turkey (chicken) soup, simmer the broken up carcass. tiny bits of meat left on the carving board, the wing tips and tail, in enough water to cover. Add a little celery, carrot, onion and a clove of garlic to the pot...
Become Your Own ButcherSave money on chicken by buying them whole and cutting them yourselves. It's easy to learn how to quarter your own chicken. All the leftover bones make great soup stock.
Toning Down the Taste of Wild GameToning Down the Wild Taste. A pal puts crushed cheese flavored crackers in her recipes that include wild game. . .
Browning Meat for a StewWhen you are preparing a stew or pot roast recipe that calls for browning the meat, put your meat on a rack in a shallow pan and broil on high until the top is browned.
Stretching Ground BeefFor ground beef, substitute 3/4 lb for any recipe calling for 1 lb. It adds up to savings over time and no one will miss it.
Cut Your Own Roasts And SteaksWe buy briskets on sale and cut them into roasts and steaks. You may wish to marinate the steaks before cooking.
Slicing Meat ThinlyPartially freeze meat before slicing and you can get thin, even cuts. This method is useful for preparing meat for stir fry and other Chinese dishes.
Plastic Lids for Freezing HamburgersMargarine or Cottage Cheese Lids for Hamburgers. I save plastic lids from margarine or cottage cheese or the same size lids, and when making up hamburger patties (using a tupperware pattie form). . .
Nonstick MeatloafHere's a tasty way to keep meatloaf from sticking to the pan. Line your pan with a couple strips of bacon before putting the meatloaf in the pan. It's not cheap, but it sure tastes good.
Ground Beef for Mexican FoodMy husband lives for Mexican food. Burritos, tacos, etc, are better if the beef isn't in big chunks. To finely crumble ground beef for tacos or other dishes, I use my food processor...
How to Roast a Cheap Cut of BeefI found this information very useful and have used it often to prepare a chuck roast and also a round roast. Both cuts of meat are on sale often here in Texas...
Cooking Sausage LinksStick two toothpicks through three links of breakfast sausage before cooking. It makes them easy to flip over, they cook evenly and stay together in the pan or on your griddle.
A Better CheeseburgerWhen cooking hamburgers from scratch, put a thin slice of cheese, onion, etc. in the middle of the burger instead of putting it on top and watch it cook. I think this is the best way to eat a cheeseburger.
Using Bacon EndsI buy bacon ends in 2 kg boxes (about 4 lbs.) and run them through my grinder. Then cook. Put in jars and keep in freezer. You have cooked bacon bits anytime you want. At a fraction of the cost to buy them...
Potato Masher for HamburgerI had nine boys to raise so frugal was very important in this home. One of the things we always use to hear is someone had a bigger piece of hamburger than another person, so one day I tried using my potato masher to mash the meat apart to see if it would help...
Butcher's SpecialsCheck out your butcher's specials--sometimes you can get a better deal than their advertised special. I always ask the butcher if I can get a better deal if I buy a larger quantity.
Cooking Different Cuts of MeatTough cuts of meat are best cooked with moisture, like stewing or using a slow cooker. The moisture will soften tough cuts of meat and make them more appetizing.
Cooking Pork TipOne of the best cooking tips I ever received, was from a co-worker and friend. He told me to get a pork roast, place it in the crockpot, and pour a jar of pickled pepperoncinis (juice and all) over the roast.
Buying on Sale and Preparing Hamburger MeatWhen I can ad match hamburger for around $1.38 I buy the 5 lb containers, then bring it home and cook one package at a time in my crock pot on high for about 5-6 hours, while I'm doing other things around the house.
How Many Meals?When buying meat, always calculate how many meals you think you can get out of the purchase. From past experience you should have a pretty good idea of how much meat your family consumes in a meal, divide the number of meals you can make from the cost on the package.
Shopping For Meat By The SeasonsIf you are a veteran grocery shopper you know that many items can be drastically cheaper when they are in season. By preparing meals with foods that are in season you can save a lot of money. Other seasonal deals to look for are meat sales around the holidays.
Slicing BaconWhen preparing to slice raw bacon, pancetta, or any other meat, slip it into the freezer for a few minutes. Remove from freezer & proceed to slice. It will be easier to slice than before.
Freezing Marinated MeatsWe like to marinate meats for the grill, but we usually forget to thaw and marinate it ahead of time.
Grill Great Steaks at HomeFor absolutely great steaks, get a thick slice of sirloin steak, put it in a zip lock bag with Italian dressing (any kind) and leave it sit at a minimum of 2 hours. It can stay as long as a day.
Pulling Skin Off of ChickensI use paper towels when pulling the skin off of chicken before cooking. It has a great grip, and you can throw the whole thing away.
Plan Ahead When Thawing MeatIt's easy to thaw meat in the microwave, but it's just as easy to place it on a refrigerator shelf overnight. It thaws by dinner time the next day...
Trimming Fat off MeatNever trim fat from meat before cooking. Fat helps give meat it's flavor. One can trim their meat before serving or eating.
Season Beef With Garlic SaltWhen cooking beef, garlic salt brings more of the meats natural flavor than any other seasoning.
Defrosting Meat With A Hair DryerA hair dryer is a great aid in defrosting your frozen meats.
Leaner HamburgerI have been buying cheap ground meat to save money but my husband just got a not so great cholesterol test result back. Instead of paying 3.00-4.00 a pound for 96/4 lean meat, I have been boiling the hamburger meat draining it, boiling a second time, then frying in the frying pan.
Don't Salt Roast Until CookedFor a delicious roast, do not add salt until almost done. Salt added earlier in the cooking time coaxes the juices out. Unless You are making stock for soup or stew, wait until 20 minutes before done. Then salt as You wish.
By Chell
Using Tongs for Meat GrillingAlways use tongs when turning meat on the grill. This way you'll avoid piercing the meat, which causes it to lose its natural juices.
Slice Up SausageIt is easy to cut bulk sausage into slices with an electric knife. Even if it is partially frozen, the knife slices through the plastic packaging and the sausage with ease.
Spam (the meat kind) in Place of HamI have found that Spam is a great and inexpensive substitute for ham in scalloped potatoes. Just use the same way you would use regular ham.
Brown Gravy With Your RoastWhen making a roast, place dry onion soup mix in the bottom of your roaster pan. After removing the roast, add 1 can of mushroom soup and you will have a good brown gravy.
By Peggy
Meat Grinder TipsWhen you grind crackers with meat for a meat loaf, add crackers both before and after to prevent the meat from sticking to the grinder.
Keep Bacon from ShrinkingTired of that pound of bacon shrinking away to virtually nothing? Shake the strips in a little flour and fry away. Stops shrinkage!
Buy Big, Freeze SmallBuying meat in the "family packs" is almost always cheaper. I buy the small freezer bags so I can freeze in portions that I will use later. I wrap each chicken breast (for example) in plastic wrap and then put the pieces into one or two gallon freezer bags.
Creative Burger IdeasTo give your family a diversion from "regular" hamburgers, roll meat into logs and pan-fry. Serve in hot-dog buns.
Freezing Meat Without Freezer BurnWhen I purchase family packs of meat I individually wrap 1 meal servings in plastic wrap and then in TinFoil (shiny side out). I have never had freezer burned food.
Katz from Alberta
Meat Cleaning TipBefore you cook any meat wash it off gently under slow stream of water. Then use a bowl, pot, or sink large enough to hold meat and cover it with water. Add a slight handful of salt and let "draw" for about 5-10 minutes.
Marinade for Making Beef Chuck Blade TenderEven the most "not so tender" cut of meat, such as beef chuck blade can cook so tender you would not know it's chuck.
Browning MeatWhen browning meat, sprinkle a little salt in the pan before you add the meat and it will be less likely to stick.
Roasting BeefWhen roasting beef (London Broil or any roast) add water to the pan and 1 tsp. instant coffee granules. Adds a good flavor to the roast and makes a delicious gravy.
- Connie Leonard
Bacon TipI fry a whole pound of bacon at a time and chop it. I then freeze it in Tupperware and take a little out to sprinkle on salad or baked potatoes or for a recipe that requires a small amount.
Thrifty Hamburger Pattie MakerUse the thin plastic that bacon comes on, wash it with hot soapy water to clean it up good. Cut it in half and use to pat hamburger patties on and then freeze.
Microwave Ground BeefWhen cooking ground beef for a recipe, I simply place the raw ground beef in a microwave steamer basket, then put the basket onto a microwaveable bowl.
I microwave the ground beef until done and the grease from the ground beef drains from the steamer basket into the bowl.
Getting Fat out of Ground BeefAfter draining the fat from ground meat, place the meat on a brown paper bag lined with paper towels. Fold the bag over and squeeze. It's amazing the amount of fat that comes out!
Jen
Stretching Burrito and Enchilada MeatStretch your burrito or enchilada filling by mixing your ground beef with 50% pinto beans.
Using All the RoastI buy roast on sale and then cook it New England style, for one meal. The next day I make soup, chili or enchiladas for the next day or freezer. It gives us lunches and dinners for nearly a week that way. (not all in one week however.)