How Much Does 1 Pound of Ground Beef Cost?

Ground beef is a versatile and affordable staple ingredient for many home cooks. But with fluctuations in beef prices many wonder – how much does a pound of ground beef cost nowadays?

The cost of ground beef depends on several factors

Type of Ground Beef

• Regular or Lean: Regular ground beef contains around 20% fat. Lean ground beef contains less than 10% fat and costs more per pound.

• Grass-fed or Grain-fed: Grass-fed ground beef comes from cows raised on pasture and tends to cost $2-3 more per pound than conventional grain-fed beef.

• Organic or Conventional: Organic ground beef is from cows not treated with antibiotics or hormones and costs $1-2 more per pound than conventional beef.

• Ground Chuck vs Ground Beef: Ground chuck comes from the shoulder region and costs slightly more than regular ground beef. It has a higher fat content and more flavor.

• Fresh vs Frozen: Fresh ground beef costs a dollar or two more per pound compared to frozen.

Where You Shop

The store you buy ground beef from affects the price per pound. On average:

• Grocery Stores: $4-$6 per pound

• Big Box Stores like Costco: $2.50-$3.50 per pound buying in bulk

• Butcher Shops: $6-$9 per pound for premium cuts

• Direct from Farms: $4-$7 per pound

• Online: $6-$8 per pound including shipping

Buying in bulk sizes like 2-5 pounds can save $1-2 per pound compared to buying single pounds. Watch for sales and promotions.

Location

Beef prices vary regionally across the U.S. Prices tend to be higher on the coasts and lower in the Midwest where most beef is raised. Ground beef costs 25-50% less in states like Iowa and Nebraska compared to California and New York.

Seasonality

Ground beef prices fluctuate seasonally, dropping in the warmer months when cows are taken to pasture and peaking in the colder months. Prices are usually lowest in October and highest around July 4 when demand is high.

Inflation and Supply Chain Issues

Beef prices have been pushed higher by inflation hovering around 7-8% in 2022. Prices also spiked during supply chain disruptions caused by COVID-19. Weather events like droughts affecting cattle feed supplies can also inflate prices.

Average Cost of Ground Beef per Pound in the U.S.

Looking at national averages, here is the cost per pound for 85% lean ground beef in recent years:

• 2020: $4.28 per pound
• 2021: $4.53 per pound
• 2022: $5.08 per pound

The average price for leaner 93% lean ground beef runs $1 higher per pound compared to regular ground beef.

So on average, 1 pound of regular ground beef costs $4.50 to $5.50 at a grocery store as of 2022 depending on seasonal and supply factors. Budget-conscious shoppers can find it for $3.50-$4 per pound buying in bulk.

Ways to Save on Ground Beef

Here are some tips to get the best deal on ground beef:

• Check weekly ads and stock up when it’s on sale
• Buy in bulk or larger family packs
• Look for manager markdowns on expiring ground beef
• Buy fattier regular ground beef instead of lean
• Purchase grass-fed or organic on sale
• Buy frozen vs fresh to save up to $2 per pound
• Shop at big box stores like Costco if you have a membership
• Buy directly from a farm or butcher shop
• Substitute half the ground beef in recipes with veggies like mushrooms

With some price shopping savvy, you can keep ground beef affordable in your cooking routine even with today’s higher meat prices. Aim for $3.50-$4.50 per pound or less for the best deals. What was once $1.99 per pound is now $4.99 per pound for many shoppers. But this versatile staple can still be purchased for under $5 per pound through wise shopping.

Current Cost of Ground Beef at Popular Grocery Retailers

To get an idea of current market prices, here is what major grocery chains are charging as of August 2022:

Walmart

• 85% Lean Fresh Ground Beef: $4.48 per pound
• 80% Lean Fresh Ground Beef: $4.28 per pound
• 90% Lean Fresh Ground Beef: $4.98 per pound

Kroger

• Private Selection Angus Ground Chuck: $6.49 per pound
• Simple Truth Organic 85% Lean Ground Beef: $7.99 per pound
• Kroger 85% Lean Fresh Ground Beef: $5.49 per pound

Albertsons

• Nature’s Rancher Organic Ground Beef 85% Lean: $6.99 per pound
• Beef Patties 80% Lean: $7.99 per pound
• Ground Beef Chuck Roll 85% Lean: $7.49 per pound

Publix

• Lean Fresh Ground Beef 90% Lean: $6.99 per pound
• Organic Lean Ground Beef 85% Lean: $8.99 per pound
• Regular Fresh Ground Beef 80% Lean: $5.99 per pound

HEB

• HEB Natural Lean Ground Beef 85% Lean: $4.27 per pound
• HEB Organic Ground Beef 85% Lean: $5.48 per pound
• HEB Ground Chuck: $3.97 per pound

Buying Directly from Farms

Purchasing beef directly from local farms, ranchers, and butchers allows you to get high-quality ground beef for as low as $3 to $6 per pound. You’ll get fresher beef that didn’t go through commercial processing channels.

For example, family-run Horning Farm in Michigan sells their ground beef for $6 per pound direct to consumers. This ground beef comes from their own cows raised on their sustainable farm.

Buying a quarter or half cow through a farm share program can also secure ground beef for around $4 per pound on average. You can purchase exactly the ground beef blend you want custom ground from your beef.

Purchasing directly from local farms provides transparency into how your beef is raised and great value on high-quality ground beef tough to match at supermarkets.

Outlook for Ground Beef Prices Moving Forward

Beef prices including ground beef are expected to remain inflated above historic averages through 2023 and potentially into 2024. Lingering impacts from droughts and supply chain disruptions continue to affect beef production costs and availability.

However, prices may moderate if weather and growing conditions for cattle production improve. And increased processing capacity could improve beef supplies to take pressure off prices.

In the meantime, consumers can apply shopping strategies to keep ground beef as affordable as possible. Compare prices across stores, buy in bulk, and utilize sales. Ground beef remains one of the most economical beef options at under $6 per pound on average.