Earlier this month, we discussed the powerful protein food group in all of its glory. If you want to know more about the meats in the protein food group and which ones are the cheapest, read this post. If you are trying to save money on groceries, you know that meat can be very expensive.
Cheaper cuts of meat usually aren’t as tender as more expensive ones, and they need a little more time and work to prepare. This does not mean, however, that you can’t create a delicious meal with cheaper cuts of meat.
Chicken is versatile, inexpensive, and easy to prepare. It costs less per pound to buy chicken that is already cut up into pieces like chicken breasts or thighs.
If you buy a whole chicken, you can either cook it as is or cut it up yourself into its different parts. If you have never cut a whole chicken into its parts before, this guide by Rachel Rozsmann is a great place to start.
With food prices on the rise, many folks are looking for ways to save money on groceries. Chicken and turkey are both lean, versatile options for family meals. But which one gives you more bang for your buck? You may assume chicken costs less per pound. However, the truth is that turkey offers more value and stretches your grocery budget further in most cases. Let’s take a detailed look at current turkey and chicken prices to uncover the real savings.
Comparing Supermarket Prices Per Pound
At the supermarket, whole frozen turkeys generally cost approximately $1 per pound. Prices vary a bit by brand sales and whether the turkey is organic. But you can expect to pay around $1/lb for a whole turkey at the grocery store. Whole chickens typically range from $1.29 to $1.99 per pound. Yes, chicken can go on sale for $1/lb. But the regular non-sale chicken price exceeds turkey per pound. The exact cost depends on the brand. But chicken consistently costs more per pound compared to turkey when not on special sales.
Calculating True Cost Per Serving
Simply comparing per-pound prices only reveals part of the story. We should also consider the amount of edible meat yielded after cooking Here turkey is the clear winner Due to their large size, cooked turkeys provide significantly more meat than chickens. A 15-pound turkey may offer 10+ pounds of cooked meat versus just 4-6 pounds from a similar size chicken. Already, turkey gives you more servings per dollar spent.
Additionally, chickens have a higher bone-to-meat ratio than turkeys. You end up with more bones vs edible meat when cooking a whole chicken. With turkey, more weight comes from pure meat than bones. So each turkey dollar goes further. When calculated per serving, turkey averages just $1-2 per person depending on turkey size and servings. Chicken servings often cost $2-4 per person due to higher cost per pound and lower usable meat yield.
Comparing Bulk Pricing
For large gatherings, budget shoppers often buy poultry in bulk to save. Here too, turkey wins over chicken. Whole frozen turkeys frequently go on sale before holidays for $0.29/lb or less when purchasing 10+ pounds! You’d be hard pressed to find any chicken for under $1/lb, even on sale.
Even without holiday sales, bulk turkey parts like breasts and drumsticks cost much less than individual chicken parts. Buying a whole turkey and breaking it down after cooking provides access to these budget bulk prices.
Ground Turkey vs. Ground Chicken Savings
Finally, consider savings on ground turkey vs chicken. Pound for pound, ground turkey consistently costs at least $1 less per pound than ground chicken. When comparing identical packages side by side, ground turkey always rings up as the bargain buy. Ground turkey also works well in versatile recipes as a lean substitute for beef. Its mild flavor excels in tacos, chili, burgers, meatballs, and more. It seamlessly incorporates into weekly meal plans.
The Verdict Is In
After examining standard costs, bulk pricing, and versatility, turkey clearly emerges as the cheaper poultry option compared to chicken. Unless chicken is specially priced, turkey gives you more meat per grocery dollar spent. If you want to enjoy delicious poultry on a budget, choose turkey!
Here are some tips for preparing turkey affordably:
- Shop turkey holiday sales before Thanksgiving and Christmas
- Buy store brand or frozen turkey to save
- Break down a whole turkey and freeze parts to access bulk pricing
- Cook multiple meals from one bird like casseroles, soup, tacos
- Substitute versatile ground turkey for recipes calling for ground beef
- Stretch turkey by mixing with rice, beans, veggies, or pasta
With a little planning, you can easily fit this lean, budget-friendly protein into regular meal preps. Don’t let the myth of expensive turkey pricing deter you. Comparing standard costs per pound and serving, turkey provides excellent value and stretches grocery dollars further in 2023. Give turkey a try on your next shopping trip to enjoy delicious meals while sticking to your weekly food budget!
Beef or Pork Ribs
You should look for beef or pork ribs that have a lot of meat and not much fat when you buy them. Not too much fat, though. Just enough to keep the meat moist while it cooks.
At minimum, half of the weight of the ribs are bone, so try to get ribs that have fewer bones and more meat for the price. Check out this guide to purchasing ribs.
If you prefer pre-cut chicken over purchasing whole-chicken, chicken thighs are your way to go.
Most of the time, chicken thighs taste better and cost less than chicken breasts, which are what most people want. Chicken thighs are an extremely versatile meat that can be prepared in numerous ways.
Lamb is a wonderful grilling meat. The downside is that good lamb meat can be hard to find, and expensive. The rib part of the lamb is used to make lamb breast. It is full of flavor and less expensive than lamb loin chops.
To make the meat less tough, marinate the lamb breast in a strong sauce for several hours before cooking. If your piece is thin, cook it hot and fast. If it is a thicker piece, cook it low and slow.
Is Turkey Really Better For You Than Chicken?
FAQ
Is chicken less expensive than turkey?
What meat is cheaper than turkey?
What is the cheapest meat to buy?
Why is turkey so much cheaper?
Why is Turkey cheaper?
You might think turkey is cheaper because inflation is cooling off. But despite inflation’s slowdown in recent months, most prices aren’t going down just yet. Consumer prices across all categories are up 3.2% year over year, as of October 2023, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Is Turkey better than chicken?
It is a powerful antioxidant that can help reduce inflammation in your body. While turkey and chicken are high in many of the same nutrients, turkey is higher in selenium, phosphorus, and vitamin B6. On the other hand, chicken is higher in niacin.
Are frozen turkeys cheaper than fresh?
Not later — now.” Frozen turkeys are often cheaper than fresh turkeys. As of Nov. 3, the average cost of a frozen turkey is roughly $1.18 per pound in the northeastern U.S., compared to $1.69 per pound for fresh turkeys, according to the USDA’s most recent national turkey retail report.
Is Turkey better than chicken for weight loss?
While turkey has fewer calories per 100 g than chicken (-4 kcal), the tiny difference won’t make or break your goals. You can include both when trying to lose weight. High-protein foods, like turkey and chicken, can increase your fullness levels.
Does chicken have more fat than Turkey?
While there isn’t a major difference in fat content between the two, chicken has 1.3 g more fat than turkey. This makes turkey a better option if you want a slightly leaner protein cut. Chicken also has more saturated fat than turkey (+0.3 g).
Is dark meat chicken better than Turkey?
It’s only when you compare dark meat chicken and turkey that you’ll see that turkey has a small advantage (3 grams to be exact) when it comes to protein. Both birds are considered to be excellent sources of protein, and also deliver on important nutrients like iron, zinc and selenium, which are all involved in keeping our immune system at its peak.