What's More Cost Effective?

J.,

The best value is going to be the one that cost the least per LB. Generally, that will be the one that comes in bulk, when you are not paying for someone else to make the patties and keep it in frozen storage. If you make your own, you can also add bread crumbs and an egg and make your hamburger meat go farther. Keep in mind that the percentage of fat will make a difference in the price, and how far it goes. Higher fat is cheaper, but also cooks down to much less once prepared, so paying for a lower fat content is often the better value. You don't have to buy the lowest, but make sure that the meat you buy is nice and red instead of pink with white specks, the fat percentage will be listed on the package.

We try to eat beans twice a week to save. Dried beans are very inexpensive and are a terrific source of cheap protein.

Home this helps!
M.

The fresh burger patties are the most expensive. I have found them to be a bit gristly, though.

The frozen ready-made are a great bargain and convenient if you grill a lot! They taste really good, too. I look for them on sale and stock up during the summer. The Kroger brand is really good.

The hamburger in bulk is your best bet if you are really looking to save the most money and don't mind patting them out.

It depends, You have to price it out in your area. But generally it is cheaper to buy in bulk. I buy in bulk and then when I get the meat home I divide it up and freeze it.

In most cases, it would be more cost-effective to go with the bulk hamburger and make your own patties. However, if you belong to Sam's Club, I have found that the difference in cost between their bulk hamburger and their bulk hamburger patties (the fresh ones from the meat department) is negligible especially when you factor in how much time it will take to make all the bulk hanburger into patties.

Maybe it depends on where you are shopping, but every store I go to lists the price right on them. I have never seen pre-made patties cheaper than trays of ground beef, not even the frozen ones. Just look for sales and make sure you're comparing like-meats. Don't compare the price on a tray of ground sirloin with the price on a bag of frozen ground beef patties. There should be percentages of meat/fat listed. I think they are:
Ground Beef - 70/30
Chuck - 80/10
Round - 85-89/15-11
Sirloin - 90/10

It's usually cheapest to get it in the pre-packaged rolls/tubes (a large version of how ground sausage comes). I watch Meijer and Kroger for their 3lb or 5lb rolls of ground chuck to go on sale. Under $2 is good for chuck, $1.50 is rare and I stock up.

I've noticed that generally it's better to buy in bulk and make your own...unless you catch it on sale for a good price. Be careful too where you get the meat from. I've noticed that Kroger has a LOT of recalls (unless you get it from behind the couinter). I've never had issue with Marsh though.

I buy bulk ground beef (Costca has great price and great quality). When I get home, I divide it into roughly 1 lbs and put 1lb in a freezer quart size ziplock. I squish the air out and push the meat so it lays flat. They stack easily that way and dont' take up much room.

I prefer doing that because I never just take a frozen patty and toss on the grill - I add spices (like onion soup mix - yummy!) and stuff before cooking my hamburgers. It's also easy then to use it for meatloaf, casseroles and other meals.

J.,

Buy in bulk when on sale and make your own. I have found that the frozen patties have more fat and are not as good quality. You can choose if you want chuck, round, or sirloin when you make your own. Check not only grocery stores, but butcher shops and Sam's/Costco if you are a member.

I find it is usually cheaper to buy in bulk and make my own. I realize you have to figure in the cost of the freezer wrap and the time it takes but overall it can be cheaper. That way not only can I make up patties but I can put in the spices and veggies I use in meat loaf, spagetti, and chili meats and section off for those as well.
Then too I can get a better quality of meat for the same price as the pre-made ones.