Inflation Nation

[cigarman20]

Just left Costco and I'm sorry but I'm not going to pay the crazy prices for beef. Yes, the 2.5" slab of ribeye cuts looked great BUT I'm not gonna drop $80 for three steaks.

Got me wondering, what is a grill fella going to do to feed the clan... economically. 

I'd like to devote this thread to idea generation for meals that are budget friendly and tasty protein based.

What's you got up your sleeves?

Let's see them here!!


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[cigarman20]

Ok then, I'll start.  I bought the mechanically tenderized "tri-tip" for $7 and change per pound. Couldn't really tell if it was a sirloin trimmed triangularly or the real deal.

Cooked her up to 135F and pulled off for a little rest. 

Flavor is good but I'm not sure it will pass the chew test for my 15 yr old.

If he complains I will encourage him to find a job and buy his own dam tenderloin.

All in, I'd buy it again.


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[cigarman20]

And the picture's


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[bamakettles]

We watch for sales..... Not sure where you are, but in the SE Publix runs sales on rib roasts for 6.99/lb at New Years and Easter.  We always buy a couple and cook one on the rotisserie and slice one up and vac seal individual steaks and freeze for later.  Just had one steak from New Years this week that I grilled, sliced and placed on chef salads for two.  We also buy the 4 packs of filet mignons at Costco and get the largest ones we can find so one steak is plenty for two.  Not the healthiest, but the Costco 1/4 lb beef franks are the only hot dogs we will eat.  They come in a pack of 15 I think.  We freeze them in vac packs of two and they last a long time, just have to buy a pack of buns when we want them.  Publix also has buy one get one free large fresh chicken breasts.  We buy two packs and freeze breasts individually.  If you don't have a food saver, I highly recommend getting one.


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[cigarman20]

Good call, I do not have a food saver. I do regularly buy family packs of breast etc. Cooking for four, I do typically go through the family pack in a few days but I love the thought of a Food Saver.


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[bamakettles]

It was a game changer for us.  We buy most everything now in bulk and freeze portions.  Also great for portioning and freezing pulled pork after a cook.  My wife is Italian and loves to make lasagna and bulk sauce for later dinners.  We portion leftovers and save with the food saver/freezer.


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[TXFlyGuy]

USDA Prime Brisket is $3.99/lb at Costco today. That is a good price!

[michaelmilitello]

GFS is the same price for brisket. 

Another cost saving route is buying whole primals, strip loin, ribeye loin.   You usually save $3-5 per pound if you butcher it yourself.   Most of us carnivores probably have a FoodSaver. 

I've been trying more inexpensive cuts.   Chuck Eye steaks are good alternatives to ribeye.  Round steak is ok to marinate.   I'll take a pork ribeye or T bone any day, especially when it's $6 per pound vs.  $10-15/ pound. 


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[HoosierKettle]

Not grilled but an affordable breakfast using a leftover white castle

And a cheese inside and outside tortilla




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[JEBIV]

Not grilled but an affordable breakfast using a leftover white castle

And a cheese inside and outside tortilla




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Clever redux !

[HoosierKettle]

Not grilled but an affordable breakfast using a leftover white castle

And a cheese inside and outside tortilla




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Clever redux !

You made me learn a new word.


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[Lightning]

I've shifted to buying whatever's on sale pretty much exclusively now and if I see any deeply discounted "enjoy tonight" type short dated food, I grab that if I can make cooking it work with my schedule.  There are a small number of things, back ribs come to mind immediately, that have disappeared from the menu because the prices have exploded.  What used to be $2.99/lb is now down to $7.99/lb after getting close to $10/lb for a while at one of the local stores.  When you consider what ribs are, those are some very expensive bones in among the meat.

[ojay]

Here in Ontario I have found chicken to be the best value. I am not paying $32 for 2-3 beef steaks or a roast. 3 full chicken legs @ $11 dollars is still too much but a better option, and perfect for BBQ

[cigarman20]

I recently tried a meat tenderizer for the first time and was pleasantly surprised with the results. 

It was a papain based tenderizer that I sprinkled on a family cut sirloin. I let it do it's thing for about 6 hours, then grilled to medium rare. The family loved it. 

I'll be using it again on tougher cut for sure. 


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[bbqking01]

Look for local sales. Plan ahead. I have an app called "flipp" you can put in local supermarket and see their ads, upcoming sales a day early. Go from there. Buy only what's on sale. RN, my local frys haswhole fryer chicken .99 lbs. spare ribs, 1.77lbs. Not too bad. My local Costco was having their whole packers for under 4.00 per lbs,


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