Where to Find the Best Deals on Ground Beef

Ground beef is a versatile and affordable staple that most households buy on a regular basis. From tacos to meatloaf to hamburgers, ground beef is the foundation for endless quick and easy dinner options. But with rising food costs, finding the best deals on ground beef has become more important than ever. This article will explore the different retailers that frequently offer sales on ground beef so you can keep your freezer stocked without breaking the bank.

Overview of Ground Beef Pricing

The price of ground beef, like many groceries, tends to fluctuate regularly. Sale prices commonly range from $2.99/lb to $3.99/lb for the typical 80/20 or 85/15 blended ground beef. Organic and grass-fed ground beef averages $6.99/lb to $8.99/lb. Patties and pre-formed ground beef tend to cost $1 more per pound on average.

When looking for deals, seasoned ground beef or ground beef mixed with onions, peppers, cheese or other ingredients will be more expensive Focus your search on simple raw ground beef blends for the most savings

Weekly Ad Tracking for the Best Deals

The easiest way to find a good deal on ground beef is to monitor weekly ads from major grocery chains Most grocers publish new sale prices on Wednesdays to take effect the following week Reviewing multiple grocery ads allows you to compare pricing and identify the retailer offering ground beef at the lowest price point that week.

Apps like Flipp aggregate weekly ads from retailers in your area to simplify ad browsing. You can also go directly to retailer websites or receive promotional emails. Consider signing up for loyalty programs from chains you frequent so you never miss out on ground beef promotions.

While weekly ads provide a snapshot of current deals, some sales only appear in monthly store catalogs. Browsing these when available gives you a longer outlook on upcoming ground beef pricing.

Retailers with Frequent Ground Beef Sales

Certain grocery retailers consistently offer better regular pricing and promotions for ground beef over others. Here is an overview of some of the top national chains to watch for ground beef deals:

Aldi – This discount grocer maintains extremely competitive pricing on ground beef. Regular prices start at $2.99/lb, with occasional offers dropping 85/15 ground beef to $2.49/lb. Boneless chuck roast for grinding is also regularly priced under $3/lb. Limit quantities per customer.

Costco – Shopping at Costco allows you to buy large quantities of ground beef at bulk discount pricing. Pre-formed patties are frequently priced at $2.99 to $3.49 per pound when you purchase a 6-7 lb package. 80/20 and 85/15 ground beef tubes typically run $2.99 to $3.99 per pound for a 5-7 lb portion. Non-members can use Costco Shop Cards to purchase without a membership.

Grocery Outlet – If you have a Grocery Outlet location nearby, check their meat discount section for ground beef markdowns. Manager specials on ground beef often start at $1.99/lb for a 5 lb tube or chub. Brands and fat percentages vary.

Hy-Vee – This Midwest supermarket chain runs weekly promos offering 80/20 ground beef for $2.49/lb or less with a filled Fuel Saver card. Limit 5 lbs. Buy 10 lbs get 10% off deals are common as well.

Kroger – Kroger’s house brand ground beef goes on sale for as low as $2.49/lb for a 2 lb roll about every 3-4 weeks. Larger packages are typically priced from $2.99 to $3.49/lb when on promotion. Purchase limits apply.

Safeway – Check Safeway’s Just for U digital coupons for occasional ground beef promos. Recently offers included 70% lean ground beef for $2.49/lb and 80/20 ground beef for $2.99/lb with a limit of 5 packages.

Sam’s Club – This Costco competitor sells large cryovac ground beef chubs ranging from 4 to 10 lbs priced consistently from $2.48 to $2.98 per pound. PlusScan coupons can take the price down further. No membership required when using a Sam’s Club Gift Card to shop.

Smart & Final – This warehouse chain has regular weekly sales featuring First Street or Rancher’s Reserve 80/20 ground beef for $2.97 to $3.49/lb sold in 2, 5, and 10 lb portions. Quantity limits apply.

WinCo – Ground beef prices start at $2.58/lb for house brand 73/27 lean or 80/20 varieties when not on sale at this bulk market. WinCo commonly discounts ground beef to $1.88 to $2.28/lb in their weekly ads.

Walmart – Check Walmart’s weekly sales for rollback pricing on 80/20 ground beef family packs ranging from $2.98 to $3.98 per pound when purchased in 2 to 5 lb quantities. Affordable options but tend to sell out quickly.

Buying Ground Beef in Bulk for Savings

Buying larger quantities of ground beef when it’s on sale extends your savings in the long run. Here are some tips for purchasing bulk ground beef:

• Check warehouse store ads from Costco, Sam’s Club and BJ’s for coupons and bulk ground beef pricing. No membership required if you use a gift card or shop pass to buy meat.

• See if your local supermarket sells discounted bulk ground beef chubs in the 10+ pound range, often found in the meat counter area.

• Look for family pack packages with approximately 5 pounds of ground beef when regular grocery store beef goes on sale.

• Resist buying the pre-formed hamburger patties and opt for raw bulk ground beef. You can form patties yourself at a fraction of the cost.

• Ask your grocery store butcher about ordering a primal or subprimal cut of beef for custom grinding. This lets you choose your preferred fat blend.

• See if any local meat processors offer special pricing for supplying your own meat to be ground. You may get a better deal grinding stew meat or roasts yourself.

• Divide bulk packages into meal-size portions and freeze immediately in freezer bags. Frozen ground beef maintains quality and taste for 3-4 months in the freezer.

• Combine ground beef with spices and other ingredients before freezing for ready-to-cook recipes. Or stuff into peppers, potatoes or cabbage leaves for quick freezer meals.

Taking a bulk buying approach helps you get more mileage out of temporary ground beef promotions. Your freezer will stay stocked with ready-to-use ground beef at an affordable price.

Tips for Freezing and Storing Bulk Ground Beef

Freezing ground beef in bulk means you always have a versatile meat ingredient ready for weeknight dinners or backyard barbecues. Follow these best practices for safely freezing and storing larger volumes of ground beef:

• Allow refrigerated ground beef to chill completely before freezing, at least 1 hour. Cold meat freezes faster with smaller ice crystals.

• Portion beef into flattened 1 lb packages, squeezing out air before sealing. This promotes faster freezing and prevents freezer burn.

• Use heavy duty freezer bags and press out all excess air. You can also use rigid freezer containers that protect from air exposure.

• Add freezer labels with the weight and fat ratio of the ground beef packages along with freezing date. Store similar ground beef types together.

• Quickly freeze beef on flat freezer trays before bagging to harden surface, then pack into larger bags. This avoids clumping.

• Mix in marinades or seasoning blends with some portions before freezing for added flavor and convenience.

• Interleave wax paper sheets between stacked burger patties or meatballs in the freezer to keep them from sticking.

• Try freezing in ready-to-cook recipes like stuffed peppers, meatloaf or meatballs to simplify thawing and cooking.

• Position new frozen packages toward rear of freezer, rotating older inventory up front to promote turnover.

• Once frozen solid, ground beef maintains top quality for 4 months in a 0°F freezer. Discard if freezer burned or exceeding one year storage.

With the proper preparation, packaging and cold storage procedures, buying ground beef on sale and freezing the extra saves money while still delivering fresh tasting beef. Try some of the cooking from frozen tips and shortcut options suggested as well.

Smart Tips for Cooking Frozen Ground Beef

Freezing ground beef in bulk enables grabbing just what you need for upcoming meals without waste. Here are some clever ways to streamline cooking frozen ground beef:

• Move frozen ground beef to the refrigerator 1-2 days before planned use. Thaw in a dish to catch drips instead of risking cross-contamination.

• Brown partially frozen ground beef directly in the pan, breaking it up as it cooks. Add a few extra minutes to the stovetop cooking time.

• Microwave on 30% power for 5 minutes to gently thaw just enough for crumbling before sautéing or simmering in recipes.

• For burgers, form partially frozen meat into patties. The ice crystals help bind the shape. Then thaw and cook as usual.

• Braise or simmer frozen ground beef chunks or crumbles in soups, chili, pasta sauce, etc. The liquid will quickly thaw and tenderize the meat.

• Use fully cooked and browned frozen meat in casseroles and lasagnas. Just leave off any cheese or delicate toppings until the last 20 minutes of baking to prevent overcooking.

• Brown partially frozen meatballs or stuffed peppers then finish baking in the oven with sauce. The retained heat gently thaws while cooking through.

• Cut fully frozen ground beef into pieces to drop into the food processor for quick tacos, sloppy Joe’s, etc. No thawing needed.

With a few simple process tweaks, frozen ground beef performs just as well as fresh in recipes. You’ll gain back time otherwise spent defrosting meat safely.

Ideal Ground Beef Recipes for Freezer Meals

Certain recipes hold up better to freezing and reheating than others when preparing meals in advance with ground beef. Here are some of the most freezer-friendly options:

• Chili – Make a big pot then freeze individual portions. The flavors continue to meld and tenderize in the freezer. Reheat stovetop or bake with toppings.

• Meatballs – Perfectly round baked meatballs freeze solid for dropping into pasta, soup and sandwiches. Add sauce after thawing.

• Meatloaf – Wrap individual slices of meatloaf for quick reheated sandwiches. Or freeze the whole loaf to reheat.

• Hamburgers – Form patties with divots for even shrinking as they freeze. Grill from frozen or thaw before cooking.

• Lasagna – Assemble the lasagna then wrap individual servings to bake as needed. Freeze before adding cheese.

• Burritos/enchiladas – Fill tortillas, wrap individually and reheat in sauce or oven. Freeze bean and rice mixtures separately.

• Taco meat – Season and fully cook ground beef for tacos and burritos before freezing in recipe-sized packets.

• Pizza toppings – Freeze loose crumbles or meatballs to use as pizza toppings. Thaw before reheating pizza.

• Sloppy Joes – Make the saucy mixture, then freeze sandwich filling portions for quick lunchbox meals.

With the help of your freezer, you can turn affordable bulk ground beef into convenient homemade foods for your busiest nights.

Best Stewardship Practices for Ground Beef

Buying ground beef in larger quantities, especially at a discount, provides an opportunity to prevent food waste and be mindful with your usage. Here are some stewardship tips when storing bulk volumes of ground beef:

• Follow FIFO (first in, first out) practices, rotating older inventory up front in the freezer while newer purchases go in back. Use within recommended timelines.

• Portion out recipe-sized amounts before freezing excess beef rather than freezing big packages whole. This allows gradual use from the freezer as needed.

• Know your household’s typical ground beef consumption and buy accordingly when stocking up. Avoid over-purchasing more than you can use within several months.

• Incorporate ground beef into meals 2-3 times a week to keep turnover active. Designate a “meat freezer” storage spot if needed.

• Freeze broth in ice cube trays from cooking ground beef then use to thin out leftover taco meat, casseroles, etc. that tightened up when frozen.

• Repurpose any unused thawed ground beef within 1-2 days by sautéing into rice bowls, eggs, pasta sauces or casseroles to avoid waste.

• Evaluate freezer inventory monthly and plan meals to actively use up older items first. Donate surplus sealed frozen meat to shelters.

• Compost inedible fat trimmings and bones from butchering beef rather than discarding to reduce waste footprint.

A small time investment into meal planning, storage and repurposing helps you gain full value from bulk ground beef purchases.

With strategies like monitoring weekly ads, buying larger quantities and freezing in convenient portions, you can keep ground beef readily available for family meals with less impact on your grocery budget. Take advantage of periodic sales at both specialty meat markets and major supermarket chains. Finding the occasional rock bottom price on ground beef makes it easy to stock the freezer for at least a few months at a time. Apply these tips for identifying deals, proper storage and efficient preparation to make affordable bulk ground beef shopping second nature.