How Much Does Ground Beef Cost at Dollar General?

Ground beef is one of the most versatile and commonly used meats in American cuisine. From burgers to meatballs to chili, we love using ground beef to make quick, protein-packed meals. If you’re looking to stock up on affordable ground beef, Dollar General is a great place to shop. In this article, we’ll take a look at the different types of ground beef available at Dollar General and break down the typical pricing so you know exactly what to expect.

Overview of Ground Beef Selection at Dollar General

Dollar General carries a wide selection of fresh and frozen ground beef options from various brands. Here’s an overview of what you can expect to find:

• Fresh ground beef: Dollar General sells fresh ground beef in the meat department. The most common packaging is 1 lb rolls of ground beef. They carry options like 80/20 ground beef (80% lean, 20% fat), 85/15 ground beef, and 93/7 extra lean ground beef.

• Fresh ground beef chubs: Chubs are tube-shaped packages of ground beef. At Dollar General, they carry fresh ground beef chubs ranging from 1 lb up to 5 lbs. The chubs allow you to break off just what you need.

• Frozen ground beef patties For quick burgers, Dollar General sells boxes of frozen beef patties in various counts, typically 6-12 patties per box.

• Frozen ground beef You can also find tubes and chubs of frozen ground beef options like 80/20 These make it easy to thaw just what you need,

• Plant-based ground beef For vegetarian and vegan options, Dollar General carries frozen plant-based ground beef crumbles and patties

So no matter what type of ground beef you need, Dollar General likely has an affordable option. Next, let’s look at typical pricing.

Dollar General Ground Beef Prices

Beef prices fluctuate frequently based on market conditions. However, here is an overview of the typical pricing you can expect to find for different types of ground beef at Dollar General:

• Fresh 80/20 ground beef: Approximately $3.75-4.50 per pound
• Fresh 85/15 ground beef: Approximately $4.25-5.00 per pound
• Fresh 93/7 extra lean ground beef: Approximately $5.50-6.25 per pound
• Fresh ground beef chubs: Slightly cheaper per pound than rolls, usually $3.50-4.25 per pound
• Frozen 80/20 ground beef: Approximately $3.25-4.00 per pound
• Frozen ground beef patties: Anywhere from $1.00-1.50 per patty depending on count
• Plant-based ground beef: Approximately $3.50-4.50 per pound

As you can see, fresh ground beef at Dollar General tends to cost between $3.75-6.25 per pound. Frozen options are a bit cheaper, while plant-based beef is priced comparably to fresh 80/20 beef.

Chubs can offer slight cost savings compared to rolls since you aren’t paying for excess packaging. Patties offer convenience but are one of the more expensive options per pound.

Ways to Save on Ground Beef at Dollar General

Here are some tips to get the best deal on ground beef at Dollar General:

• Check the weekly ad for ground beef promotions and stock up then. Sales might bring packs down to $2.99/lb.

• Look for manager’s specials on expiring ground beef packs – these are marked down for quick sale.

• Buy in bulk whenever possible. Larger 5 lb chubs have the lowest cost per pound.

• Downgrade from 93/7 to 85/15 or 80/20 to save over $1/lb usually. The difference in leanness is minor.

• Compare fresh vs. frozen pricing and stock up on whatever costs less per pound. Transfer to the fridge or freezer.

• Use digital coupons on the Dollar General app to save on ground beef. New users get $5 off $25.

• Ask the butcher counter if they have any ground beef trim or ends they can package up for you at a discount.

With the right timing and some clever shopping tactics, you can stock up on high-quality ground beef at Dollar General for as little as $2.99 per pound.

How Much Ground Beef Should I Buy at Dollar General?

Ground beef is highly versatile – which makes it tempting to buy in bulk whenever it’s on sale. Here are some guidelines for how much ground beef to purchase based on your household size and typical usage:

• 1-2 people: For light cooks, start with 1-2 lbs fresh or frozen

• 3-4 people: Average households can buy 3-5 lbs of fresh or frozen

• Meal preppers: Stock up with 10+ lbs separated into 1 lb portions to freeze

• Large families: For heavy beef users, buy 7-10+ lbs of chubs

Keep in mind raw ground beef only lasts 1-2 days in the fridge. Any bulk packs should be portioned up and frozen if you won’t use within 2 days. Properly frozen ground beef will last 4-6 months in the freezer.

How to Store and Freeze Ground Beef from Dollar General

To safely store ground beef from Dollar General:

• Fresh: Keep refrigerated and use within 1-2 days, or freeze immediately in airtight 1 lb portions.

• Frozen: Store frozen ground beef at 0°F or below. Do not allow to thaw and refreeze.

• Freezing: Use freezer bags, plastic wrap, or vacuum sealing. Flatten to remove air pockets. Label with type and date.

• Thawing: Thaw frozen ground beef overnight in the fridge, never at room temp. Cook within 1-2 days.

With proper storage in the fridge or freezer, ground beef from Dollar General can safely last for several months. Follow the sell-by dates for ultimate freshness.

How to Cook Ground Beef from Dollar General

Ground beef from Dollar General can be used just like ground beef from any other grocery store. Here are some quick cooking tips:

• Stovetop: Cook in a skillet over medium-high breaking it up to brown evenly. Drain any excess grease.

• Oven: For burgers or meatloaf, bake at 375°F until the internal temperature reaches 160°F.

• Slow cooker: Drop ground beef right into slow cooker recipes, breaking into pieces. No need to pre-cook.

• Grill: For burgers and kabobs, cook over direct high heat until 160°F internally. Avoid flare-ups.

• Microwave: Microwaving ground beef is not recommended. Use the stovetop or oven for even cooking.

Use a meat thermometer to ensure ground beef reaches an internal temperature of at least 160°F before serving. Cook frozen ground beef completely without thawing first.

Ground Beef Recipes with Dollar General Ingredients

You can make virtually any ground beef recipe using meat from Dollar General. Here are just a few recipe ideas using common Dollar General ingredients:

• Cheesy Bean & Beef Burritos: Simmer 1 lb ground beef with 1 can red kidney beans in taco seasoning and tomato sauce. Wrap in flour tortillas with shredded cheese.

• Loaded Chili Cheese Fries: Top fried frozen fries with 1 lb browned ground beef, chili powder, shredded cheese, and sour cream.

• Cheddar Meatloaf: Combine 1 lb ground beef with eggs, bread crumbs, diced onion, and shredded cheddar cheese. Bake into a loaf and top with ketchup.

• Beef & Potato Tacos: Cook 1 lb ground beef with packet taco seasoning, diced potatoes, corn, and chicken broth until tender. Serve in hard taco shells with desired toppings.

• Cheeseburger Pasta: Toss cooked penne pasta with 1 lb browned ground beef, diced onions, tomato sauce or ketchup, mustard, and shredded cheese.

With the versatile staples at Dollar General, you can make easy weeknight dinners, meal prep lunches, party appetizers, and more using affordable ground beef.

Is Dollar General Quality Ground Beef?

Despite the low prices, the ground beef sold at Dollar General is high-quality and consistently lean. The fresh ground beef comes from the same major beef providers as other grocery chains. Frozen patties and chubs also meet high lean meat standards.

Dollar General ground beef meets the following criteria:

• Contains the labeled meat percentage (80/20, 93/7, etc)

• Passes USDA food safety inspections at processing facilities

• Displays a clear sell-by date for freshness

• Ships and stores at regulated temperatures to avoid spoilage

As long as packages are unopened and used by sell-by dates, Dollar General ground beef provides quality on par with other retailers. The cost savings come from streamlined processing and distribution systems.

Why Choose Dollar General for Ground Beef

Dollar General is a smart choice for affordable, lean ground beef. Benefits of purchasing ground beef at Dollar General include:

• Everyday low pricing – Prices up to 25% less than supermarkets

• Weekly sales – Chance to stock up on markdowns

• Convenient small packs – Easy to use exactly what you need

• Trusted national brands – Same products, lower costs

• In-house butcher counter – Fresh meat cut on-site

• Money-saving apps – Digital coupons and rebates

• Fast checkout – Smaller stores mean shorter lines

• Easy access – With over 18,000 locations across 46 states

For quality lean ground beef at a fraction of the typical grocery store cost, Dollar General can’t be beat. Switching even some of your meat purchases to Dollar General can lead to big savings over time.

The Bottom Line

If you’re looking for an affordable way to buy staple proteins like ground beef, Dollar General is a great option. You can find an array of fresh, frozen, and plant-based ground beef ranging from just $2.99 to $6.25 per pound.

Pay attention to weekly ads and sales, buy larger packages, and take advantage of digital discounts. Follow proper storage guidelines, and the ground beef from Dollar General will serve all your cooking needs. With smart shopping, you can easily stock up on quality ground beef for burger nights, taco Tuesdays, meatballs, chili, and more without breaking the bank.