If you’re doing your best to stretch your grocery budget then you’ve probably noticed that meat can really be expensive.
Here are my thoughts on 5 cheapest cuts of meat you should be cooking with, if you haven’t already.
I’ve also rounded up some delicious recipes to help give you ideas on how to enjoy yourself while you’re saving money.
NOTE: The prices listed were gathered from an Aldi store in Central New York. Your prices may be lower or higher depending on the area where you live.
Turkey and chicken are two of the most popular poultry options for meals and gatherings. While both offer lean, tasty meat, most people assume turkey is more expensive per pound than chicken. But is this really true in 2023? Let’s take a closer look at current turkey and chicken prices to find out if turkey actually provides more value and budget-friendly benefits.
Comparing Supermarket Prices
First, we need to compare standard supermarket prices for whole turkeys and chickens. When you peruse the poultry section, whole turkeys commonly cost about $1 per pound. Of course, prices fluctuate a bit depending on the brand, special sales, and whether it’s an antibiotic-free or organic bird. But generally speaking, expect to pay around $1 per pound for a whole, frozen turkey at the grocery store.
Meanwhile, whole chickens tend to cost more per pound, usually ranging from $1.29 to $1.99 per pound. Yes, you can often find sale prices closer to $1 per pound for whole chickens, but the regular non-sale price typically exceeds turkey. Again, the exact price varies by brand, but chicken consistently costs more per pound than turkey at the supermarket when not on special sales.
So already, we see that turkey provides more meat for your money based on standard per-pound prices But let’s dig deeper
Comparing Prices Per Serving
Simply comparing per-pound costs only tells part of the story. We also need to consider the amount of edible meat yielded from each bird after cooking. And here again turkey emerges as the budget-friendly winner.
Due to their large size, turkeys yield significantly more cooked meat than chickens. After roasting, a 15-pound turkey may provide 10+ pounds of cooked meat. A similar size chicken often provides just 4-6 pounds of cooked meat. So already you’re getting more servings of turkey meat for your dollar.
Additionally, chickens contain a higher bone-to-meat ratio than turkeys. After cooking a whole chicken, you end up with a greater percentage of bones versus edible meat. With a turkey, more of the weight comes from pure meat versus bones. So your $$ goes even further.
When you break it down per serving, turkey averages just $1-2 per person depending on turkey size and number of servings. Chicken servings often cost $2-4 per person due to the higher cost per pound and lower meat yield.
Buying in Bulk
Now let’s examine bulk poultry pricing. For large gatherings, budget-conscious shoppers often buy poultry in bulk when possible to save money. Here again, turkey has the advantage over chicken.
Whole frozen turkeys frequently go on sale before the holidays for outrageously low prices – sometimes as little as $0.29/lb when buying a 10+ pound turkey! At these bulk sale prices, you would be hard-pressed to find any cut of chicken for less than $1/lb.
Even when not on sale, bulk turkey parts like turkey breasts and drumsticks cost much less than buying part by part. Buying a whole turkey and breaking it down into parts after cooking gives you access to these budget bulk prices versus paying a premium for individual chicken breasts.
Ground Turkey vs. Ground Chicken
Finally, consider savings on ground turkey versus ground chicken. Pound for pound, ground turkey consistently costs at least $1 less per pound than ground chicken. When buying tubes of ground turkey and chicken side by side, turkey always rings up as the bargain buy.
Ground turkey also lends itself better to versatile recipes and meals. It provides a lean, protein-packed substitute for recipes calling for ground beef or sausage. Due to its mild flavor, ground turkey works well in everything from tacos, chili, meatballs, burgers, meatloaf, and more. It’s easy to incorporate into your weekly meal planning.
The Verdict Is In
After reviewing standard costs, bulk pricing, and versatility, turkey clearly emerges as the cheaper, more budget-friendly poultry option vs chicken. With the exception of special sales on chicken, turkey provides more meat for your money. So if you want to enjoy delicious poultry while sticking to a grocery budget, go with turkey!
Here are some helpful tips to find and prepare turkey on a budget:
- Shop turkey sales before holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas
- Buy store brand or frozen turkeys to save on costs
- Break down a whole turkey and freeze parts to access bulk pricing
- Cook multiple meals from one bird like turkey tacos, soup, casseroles
- Substitute versatile ground turkey in meals that typically use ground beef
- Stretch turkey by mixing with rice, veggies, pasta, or beans
With a bit of planning, it’s easy to work this lean, affordable protein into your regular meal planning. Don’t let the myth of expensive turkey pricing deter you. When comparing standard costs per pound and per serving, turkey provides more value and stretches your grocery dollars further in 2023. Give turkey a try next time you shop to enjoy delicious meals while sticking to your weekly food budget!
5 Cheapest Cuts of Meat You Should Be Cooking With
- $1.19 per lb at Aldi
Chicken thighs may be the most versatile meat on our list. They’re tender and juicy and have much more flavor than the ever-popular chicken breast.
The thighs take on seasoning flavors very well and can be delicious when prepared sweet, tangy, spicy, or any way you like! Plus, the meat is juicy and doesn’t dry out as easily as chicken breasts.
Chicken thighs can be braised, roasted, grilled, slow cooking, deep fried, and probably cooked in almost any other method—and they’re really hard to overcook.
As long as the thickest part of the chicken thigh reaches a temperature of 165 degrees (not measuring directly on the bone), then your chicken is safe to eat.
Some chicken thigh recipes you’ll love:
- $2.49 per lb at Aldi
Pork loin is one of my favorite go-to inexpensive meats. It cooks perfectly with a long marinade or a quick seasoning rub.
You can cook pork loin on the grill, roast it in the oven, or throw it in a slow cooker for a hands-off meal that won’t overheat your kitchen.
To make sure the pork loin stays juicy and tender, cook it whole without slicing it up first.
Let the internal temperature reach 145 degrees, and then let the roast rest for about 5 minutes before slicing. This lets the juices redistribute throughout the entire cut. Perfect every time!
I saw some sites recommending pork rib chops, but they were almost $5 per pound (which still isn’t bad), so it wasn’t cheaper for me. Also, you can get pork loin chops, but it’s cheaper to slice and dice it at home.
Some pork loin recipes you’ll love:
- 1.2 lb package is $2.99 at Aldi
Ground turkey can replace ground beef in most recipes. It’s much less expensive and almost always has less fat content than ground beef (make sure to check the label!).
Ground turkey can be browned in a frying pan, cooked in patties on a grill, or substituted into your favorite recipe that calls for ground meat.
You’ll want to make sure the ground turkey is thoroughly cooked to an internal temperature of 165 degrees.
I’m not gonna go crazy and tell you that turkey burgers are just as good as ground beef burgers… but turkey burgers can be pretty darned good.
We love turkey burgers, turkey meatballs, and even throwing in some ground turkey in our chili. Yum!
Some ground turkey recipes you’ll love:
Italian Sausage Links
- $3.49 per lb at Aldi
Ok, so technically, sausage isn’t a “cut of meat,”… but it’s awesome and inexpensive, so I’ve included it.
Italian sausage links are juicy and full of flavor. They’re already seasoned, so you really don’t have to do anything besides cook them. You can usually buy them in sweet or spicy varieties.
You can pan-fry the links in a little oil, bake them in your oven, or poach them in water before throwing them on a hot grill. Make sure to cook these thoroughly to 165 degrees internal temperature.
I love to throw any leftovers into a breakfast frittata or on top of a homemade pizza.
Is Turkey Really Better For You Than Chicken?
FAQ
Is turkey less expensive than chicken?
What meat is cheaper than turkey?
Why is turkey meat more expensive?
Is chicken the cheapest meat?
Is Turkey more expensive than chicken?
Chicken has slightly more potassium and iron, and turkey has slightly more magnesium and phosphorus. When comparing the price per live-weight pound of bird, the chicken is 50 cents and the turkey is 73 cents. As for buying either at the grocery store, the breast meat of both is always going to be more expensive than the thighs or drumsticks.
Is Turkey better than chicken?
Turkey and chicken can be interchangeable in some dishes, sure. But whereas chicken is ubiquitous, turkey is reserved for Thanksgiving and Christmas. Both take on savory seasonings very well, but chicken can take on many other flavors, too. Turkey also takes more space and feed to raise turkeys than chickens.
Does chicken have more calories than Turkey?
Chicken and turkey have very similar calories, but chicken has 4 more calories per 100 g than turkey. Since this is such a small difference, you shouldn’t let the calorie count alone determine which one is better for you.
Is Turkey a good alternative to chicken?
Turkey is always the leaner white meat of the two, making it a good low-fat alternative to red meat. Both are high in protein and in about equal amounts, and both contain all of the essential amino acids. Chicken is somewhat higher in calories, fat and cholesterol, but it’s a good source of vitamin B, phosphorus, niacin, and selenium.