Cheap Beef

Meat can be intimidating when you're on a very tight grocery budget. I have learned to appreciate the value of a whole chicken by stretching it over several meals, but even then, chicken is still expensive. While ground beef is definitely the cheapest way to get some red meat into your menu, I am learning to think ahead and make other cuts a good value.

Sirloin tip is a large cut of lean beef roast. If you get it on sale, it can actually compare to the price of ground beef! When you see a sirloin tip for a great price, BUY IT! You can cut it into cubes and use it in place of stew beef. Because it is so lean, it's best to cook it slow, so I wouldn't recommend it for stir-fries. Some store butchers might be willing to grind it for you and you'd have some lean ground beef at a great price. However you decide to cut your roast, package it into smaller portions (approximately 1lb. each), and freeze them.

My favorite way of using this meat is to place it in the slow cooker as soon as I get home, then shred it for BBQ Beef On Buns!