What is the Cheapest Cuts of Beef? A Guide to Budget-Friendly Beef

Beef can be pricey, but there are plenty of cheap cuts that are full of flavor and nutrients. With the right cooking methods, these inexpensive beef options transform into tender, mouthwatering meals. This guide will explore the most budget-friendly beef cuts so you can enjoy delicious beef dishes without breaking the bank.

Why Choose Cheap Cuts?

Affordable cuts come from hard-working areas of the cow, like the shoulder, rump, and flank. While pricier cuts like tenderloin come from muscles that don’t get much use, cheap cuts get a lot of exercise so they have more connective tissue. This extra collagen needs long, slow cooking to break down into gelatin and make the meat tender.

Although they take some work, inexpensive cuts reward you with amazing depth of flavor. The abundant collagen also gives braised and simmered dishes rich body Plus when you braise bone-in cuts like short ribs or shanks, the bones contribute extra meatiness. With the right cooking technique, budget-friendly beef can be even more satisfying than expensive steaks and roasts

Top Money-Saving Beef Cuts

Here are some of the cheapest beef cuts to choose for your next delicious meal

Chuck Roast

This shoulder roast contains a lot of connective tissue, so chuck roast shines when braised or roasted until fork tender. The ample marbling provides great flavor and moisture. Use chuck roast for pot roasts, shredded beef, or classic beef stew.

Brisket

Comprised of two distinct cuts – the leaner flat half and fattier point half – brisket needs a long braise or low and slow barbecue to become succulent and tender. Transform brisket into anything from corned beef to Texas-style smoked barbecue.

Round Cuts

Round refers to the back leg, which gets a lot of exercise. Cuts like top round roast, bottom round steak, and eye of round roast are very lean and budget-friendly. Cook them with moist heat methods and slice thinly across the grain when serving.

Blade Steak

Cut from the chuck primal near the shoulder blade, blade steak has great beefy flavor. It does well with marinades and high-heat cooking like grilling or broiling. Slice it against the grain after cooking.

Flank Steak

This thin, flat steak comes from the belly muscles of the cow. It has tons of intense flavor best suited to marinating and quick grilling or broiling. Always slice flank steak thinly across the grain before serving.

Short Ribs

Cut from the chuck primal, short ribs contain lots of connective tissue so they shine when braised until meltingly tender. The meat clings to the bones, resulting in finger-licking goodness. Use them for soups, stews, or standalone braised dishes.

Ground Beef

Ground beef provides an affordable and versatile way to enjoy beef’s flavors and nutritional benefits. The lean-to-fat ratio affects the taste and texture. Fattier grinds like 80/20 ground chuck make juicy burgers, while 90/10 or 93/7 ground sirloin is great for dishes like Bolognese sauce or chili.

Stew Meat

Stew meat refers to tougher cuts that have been diced into bite-size pieces, perfect for stews, chilis, and braises. Cubed chuck, round, and brisket work great. Brown the meat first for extra flavor, then braise or simmer until tender.

Beef Shanks

Cut from the leg, beef shanks contain lots of collagen-rich connective tissue. They require long, slow braising or stewing to break down their toughness. In the end, you’re rewarded with fall-off-the-bone tender meat and rich flavor perfect for soups, stews, or ossobuco.

Organ Meats

From liver to tongue to heart, organ meats offer an ultra-inexpensive way to get your beef fix while also obtaining abundant nutrients like iron, vitamins, and minerals. Braise liver or use it for paté. Grill heart quickly like steak.

Cooking Methods for Cheap Cuts

Cheap beef cuts shine with the proper cooking methods to suit their high collagen content. Here are some top techniques:

Braising – Brown the meat first, then cook slowly immersed in a small amount of liquid like broth, wine, or tomatoes. The collagen breaks down over moist extended cooking.

Stewing – Similar to braising but with more liquid. Good for cuts diced into bite-size chunks. Cook slowly until fork tender.

Roasting – Roast inexpensive roasts like chuck roast in a low oven with some liquid to keep things moist. Tent with foil and let meat rest after cooking.

Grilling/Broiling – Quickly cook thinner affordable steaks and roasts over high direct heat. Slice against the grain and don’t overcook.

Slow Cooking – Cuts like brisket and short ribs do well cooked low and slow in a slow cooker or oven. The collagen melts into succulence.

Ground Beef – Form into patties, meatballs, etc. Avoid overworking the meat when shaping. Cook quickly over medium-high heat and don’t overcook.

Top Tips for Cooking Economical Beef

• Pound steaks before cooking to help tenderize the meat. Also consider marinating to help break down tough tissues.

• Sprinkle some baking soda on meat before cooking – it helps breakdown collagen.

• Cook low and slow – time is a cheap cut’s best friend when braising/stewing.

• Slice across the grain after cooking to shorten the muscle fibers for tenderness.

• Add moist ingredients like broth or tomatoes when roasting leaner cuts.

• Let meat rest before slicing to allow juices to redistribute.

Sample Budget-Friendly Beef Recipes

With the right know-how, inexpensive beef cuts can make utterly delicious meals. Here are a few recipe ideas to get you inspired:

• Pot Roast – Chuck roast braised with vegetables until fall-apart tender.

• Corned Beef and Cabbage – Cured brisket boiled until fork tender served with wedges of cabbage.

• Beef Stew – Beef stew meat and veggies braised in broth until meltingly tender.

• Shepherd’s Pie – Ground beef and veggies topped with creamy mashed potatoes and baked.

• Beef Chili – Ground beef or stew meat simmered in a tomato-based chili sauce.

• Spaghetti Bolognese – Ground beef and tomatoes cooked into a luxurious meat sauce for pasta.

• Carne Guisada – Beef round or chuck braised in a Mexican-style gravy served over rice.

• Beef Bourguignon – Cubes of chuck or round braised with red wine, broth, and mushrooms.

• Beef Barley Soup – Hearty soup with beef shanks, vegetables and barley simmered in broth.

Enjoy Flavorful, Thrifty Beef

You don’t need to splurge on pricey prime rib or fillet to enjoy delicious beef dishes. With inexpensive cuts like brisket, chuck roast, round, and ground beef, you can make comforting pot roasts, stews, tacos, soups, chilis, and so much more while being friendly to your wallet. Just use the proper cooking techniques like braising, stewing, or slow cooking and serve up beef that’s tender and full of flavor.