Is Ground Turkey Cheaper Than Ground Beef? A Comprehensive Comparison

Ground turkey and ground beef are staple ingredients in many recipes From burgers and meatballs to tacos and chili, these versatile ground meats can be used in a variety of delicious dishes But when it comes to affordability, is ground turkey cheaper than ground beef? Let’s take a detailed look at how these two proteins compare on price.

Factors That Impact Cost

Several factors impact the cost of ground turkey and beef including

• Type of meat: Ground turkey can be made from white or dark meat, while ground beef comes from various beef cuts. White meat turkey and leaner beef cuts tend to cost more.

• Leanness Fattier ground beef is cheaper than leaner blends. With ground turkey, lean varieties cost more than fattier options.

• Brand: Prices vary between name brand and store brand options. Store brands offer savings.

• Seasonality: Prices fluctuate throughout the year with seasonal supply and demand changes.

• Sales: Look for markdowns, weekly specials, and coupon deals for the best prices. Stock up when on sale.

• Buying method: Purchasing meat in tubes, logs, or bulk packs saves money over buying pre-portioned trays. Frozen is usually cheaper than fresh.

Average Cost Comparison

On average, across most grocery stores, ground turkey costs less per pound compared to ground beef:

• Ground turkey breast: $3.50 per pound
• 85% lean ground beef: $4.99 per pound
• 93% lean ground turkey: $4.29 per pound
• 90% lean ground beef: $5.69 per pound

For the leanest options, ground turkey has a clear price advantage over beef. Even brand name 93% lean ground turkey is typically cheaper than store brand 90% lean ground beef.

Regular ground turkey made with dark meat is cheaper still, averaging just $3.29 per pound. That’s over $1 less per pound than the average for 85% lean ground beef.

Why Ground Turkey Is Cheaper

There are a few reasons why ground turkey consistently costs less than ground beef:

• Supply and demand: Beef is more widely consumed than turkey, which increases supply and lowers turkey prices.

• Versatility: Ground beef is used in a broader range of cuisines and dishes. Turkey is seen as more niche.

• Dark meat: Ground turkey makes use of less popular turkey parts like thighs and legs. This lowers overall turkey costs.

• Feed: The grain-based diet of turkeys is less expensive than the grass-fed diet of beef cattle.

• Weight: Turkeys are smaller animals than cattle at time of processing, leading to lower per pound costs.

How Much Can You Save?

Exactly how much money can you save by choosing ground turkey over ground beef? To find out, let’s look at a pricing example for lean options at a typical grocery store:

• 1 pound 93% lean ground turkey: $4.29
• 1 pound 90% lean ground beef: $5.69

Based on these prices, choosing ground turkey would save you $1.40 per pound.

If your family uses 2 pounds of ground meat per week, switching from beef to turkey would save $2.80 per week, or $145.60 over the course of a year! That’s over 10% savings just by substituting ground turkey for beef in your favorite recipes.

Pros and Cons of Ground Turkey

Here are some key advantages and disadvantages to consider when deciding between ground turkey and beef:

Ground Turkey Pros

• Cheaper price per pound
• Leaner with less saturated fat
• Lower in calories and cholesterol
• More environmentally sustainable
• Versatile like ground beef

Ground Turkey Cons

• Can have a drier texture if overcooked
• Milder flavor than beef
• Higher susceptible to bacteria without proper handling
• May be perceived as less family-friendly than beef

Tips for Cooking with Ground Turkey

To help maximize flavor and moisture when cooking with ground turkey, here are some useful tips:

• Mix in flavor boosters like Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, garlic, or onion powder
• Avoid overcooking to prevent dryness
• Combine ground turkey with lean ground beef for a flavor/cost compromise
• Add breadcrumbs or oats to help retain moisture
• Sauté onions and mushrooms for extra moisture in dishes like turkey burgers
• Use strongly flavored ingredients like taco seasoning or barbecue sauce
• Substitute for recipes calling for lean ground beef without adjusting seasoning

The Bottom Line

When comparing prices in most grocery stores, lean ground turkey averages $1 to $2 less per pound than equally lean ground beef. Over the course of a year, this can lead to significant savings for shoppers by substituting ground turkey in recipes. However, be mindful that ground turkey has a milder taste and drier texture if overcooked. With proper handling and seasoning, ground turkey can be an excellent affordable alternative to ground beef. Consider mixing the two or adding flavor boosters to get the best of both worlds!