Can you save money by switching from ground beef to ground turkey? Yes. But there’s more to the story. Keep reading for recipe ideas, ways to make ground turkey taste better, and practical tips to help you save money.
When it comes to versatile and budget-friendly ground meats, both ground turkey and ground beef have a place in many home cooks’ kitchens. But which one offers more value for your dollar? Here, we’ll break down the factors that impact the prices of ground turkey versus ground beef to help you determine which is the more affordable protein for your family.
What Impacts the Cost of Ground Turkey and Ground Beef
Several key factors play a role in determining the prices of ground turkey and beef at the grocery store:
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Type of Meat: Ground beef can come from various cuts of beef cattle, while ground turkey is typically made from a blend of white and dark turkey meat. The exact blend affects the price.
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Fat Percentage Fattier varieties of ground beef and turkey are less expensive than leaner versions Extra-lean ground beef and turkey cost more due to lower yields
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Brand National brands are generally pricier than store or generic brands for both ground meats Opting for store brands can offer significant savings
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Seasonality: Prices for ground turkey and beef fluctuate throughout the year with changes in supply and demand. Stock up when there are seasonal sales or discounts.
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Sales and Promotions: Watch for markdowns, weekly specials, loyalty card discounts, and other promotions for the best deals on ground meats.
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Buying Method Buying ground meat in tubes, chubs or bulk packs saves money compared to buying pre-portioned trays. Frozen is cheaper than fresh.
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Supply Chain Issues: Ground meat prices are vulnerable to factors like feed costs, processing disruptions, transportation issues, and inventory levels.
Average Per Pound Pricing Comparison
On average, across most grocery stores, ground turkey costs less per pound compared to ground beef with an equivalent fat percentage:
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Ground turkey (7% fat): $3.29 per pound
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85% lean ground beef (15% fat): $4.99 per pound
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93% lean ground turkey (7% fat): $4.29 per pound
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90% lean ground beef (10% fat): $5.69 per pound
Ground turkey has a clear price advantage over ground beef when comparing the leanest options. Even brand name lean ground turkey averages around $1 less per pound than store brand extra lean ground beef.
Regular ground turkey made with dark meat is an even more budget-friendly option at just $3.29 per pound on average.
Estimated Yearly Savings from Choosing Ground Turkey
To estimate potential savings, let’s assume a family uses 2 pounds of ground meat per week for meals.
If they switched from 90% lean ground beef to 93% lean ground turkey, they’d save $2.80 per week based on average prices.
Over the course of a year, the savings would add up to $145.60!
For a household that relies more heavily on ground meats, choosing ground turkey could mean over $200 in annual savings.
Why Is Ground Turkey Typically Cheaper Than Ground Beef?
There are a few main reasons why ground turkey consistently costs less per pound compared to ground beef:
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Turkey is less popular than beef, keeping turkey prices down due to lower demand.
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Ground turkey utilizes dark meat from turkey legs and thighs which are less sought-after cuts.
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The grain-fed diet of commercial turkeys is less expensive than the grass-fed diet of beef cattle.
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Turkeys are smaller than cattle at processing size, resulting in lower per pound meat yields.
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Ground beef is more versatile and used across more cuisine types compared to niche ground turkey.
Tips for Getting the Best Deal on Ground Turkey
Follow these tips to maximize savings when purchasing ground turkey:
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Compare prices between brands and lean percentages – fattier blends usually cost less.
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Check weekly ads and stock up when ground turkey goes on sale.
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Buy larger bulk packs or tubes rather than pricier pre-portioned trays.
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Look for discounts on nearly expired ground turkey for short-term use.
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Purchase flash frozen ground turkey – it lasts longer for the price per pound.
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Use coupons, loyalty card discounts, or mobile app offers to lower ground turkey costs further.
Is the Savings Worth Switching from Ground Beef?
At a savings of up to $2 per pound compared to equally lean ground beef, ground turkey can be the more budget-friendly choice for many households. However, be aware that ground turkey has a more mild taste and finer texture. Proper cooking techniques, mixing with fattier meats, and added seasoning may be needed to suit individual flavor preferences. Overall, the potential yearly savings make ground turkey worth considering as a lean and affordable alternative to pricier ground beef.
Cheap Recipes To Get You Started
Here are some affordable and easy-to-make ground turkey recipes to add to your meal rotation:
I happen to like ground turkey, so this is not a difficult swap for me (see tips below for making ground turkey taste better).
If you like ground beef in recipes, I urge you to give ground turkey a try. Once the meat is seasoned and the dish is complete, it’s usually hard to notice the difference.
Save Money On Food: Switch From Ground Beef To Ground Turkey
Saving money on food sometimes requires a shift in thinking. Growing up, we ate ground beef all the time. My mom would often make casseroles, sloppy joes, taco salads, and other dishes where the main component was ground beef.
Ground turkey, on the other hand, wasn’t on our radar. It wasn’t until a few years ago that I started cooking with ground turkey. I don’t make a lot of meat-based dishes, but I am learning to appreciate the taste and versatility of ground turkey.
I also appreciate the cost.
Is Ground Turkey Better For You Than Beef?
FAQ
Does ground turkey cost more than ground beef?
A final difference between ground beef and turkey is their cost. Ground beef is usually cheaper than turkey, especially if you buy it in bulk or on sale. However, ground beef can also vary in price depending on the type and quality of the meat, such as organic, grass-fed, or hormone-free.
Is turkey less expensive than beef?
Beef and pork tend to be more expensive than chicken or turkey for several reasons: Production Costs: Raising cattle and pigs typically requires more resources than chickens or turkeys. Cattle, for instance, need more land, feed, and water.
Is it better to eat ground turkey or ground beef?
- Fat content: Ground turkey usually has a lower fat percentage than ground beef, especially when comparing similar leanness levels (like 90/10).
- Nutrition: Both provide similar protein and other nutrients, but turkey may be slightly higher in some B vitamins.
- Taste preference: Some people prefer the taste of ground beef over ground turkey.
How much should a pound of ground turkey cost?
| TURKEY | PRICE | UNIT |
|---|---|---|
| BONELESS BREAST | $5.59 | lb. |
| BREASTS, TURKEY | $4.09 | lb. |
| GROUND TURKEY – 89% lean | $4.49 | lb. |
| GROUND TURKEY – 99% lean | $6.49 | lb. |
Is ground turkey cheaper than lean ground beef?
Some general points: Regular ground beef is often cheaper than lean ground turkey. As the fat content decreases for ground beef, the price goes up. Comparing similar fat contents, ground turkey is usually cheaper than extra lean ground beef. Watch for sales on ground turkey and stock up your freezer.
Which is better ground beef or Turkey?
The lean ground beef contains about 1 gram more saturated fat for a 3-ounce serving but is lower in total fat and cholesterol, and slightly higher in iron and protein compared to the turkey. Which One Wins? The answer? It’s a toss-up.
Is fat-free Turkey better than ground beef?
Ground beef and turkey are both rich in protein, but fat-free turkey has the fewest calories and most protein, compared with higher fat cuts of turkey ( 6 ). It also has equal or greater amounts of protein than any type of ground beef ( 1, 3, 5 ). Therefore, when trying to lose weight, fat-free ground turkey may be the best choice.