Time is one of the most valuable things we have! Many of us never have enough time to do all things. One of the ways I like to save time is by once a week cooking a larger cut of meat. With many stores starting to limit the amount of meat we are allowed to buy as rumors of a meat shortage circulate. Buying larger cuts or packages of meat is one way get around the limits. There is lots of options including ham, whole turkey, brisket, roasts, and many more. Often times these types of meat will come in 7 lb or larger packages. These types of meats are often cheaper than other cuts and will last for several meals.
1. Recreate new dishes from leftovers
A larger cut of meat can make several different meals saving you time and money. I find my family is more likely to eat leftovers if I fool them into thinking they are not eating leftovers. A beef roast costs $13.00 for almost 6 lbs. Here is an example of how I stretch it into 3 meals. Day 1, I make a beef roast with potatoes and carrots in the Instant pot. Day 2, I make french dip sandwiches out of the leftover meat and juice. Day 3, the little bit of meat left I mix it with mushrooms, sour cream, or cream cheese to make a strogonoff type dish. Eat that over pasta. You can always freeze the cooked meat for a later use. Precooked meals come in really handy on those days when life just isn’t going you way.
2. Larger cuts are fattier and more flavorful.
Often times the larger cuts of meat are full of fat. Fat equals flavor. Flavor that you don’t have to add in with additional oils or seasonings that cost you money. You can always cut off some of it if you feel like its an excessive amount. If you are really thrifty you can save the excess drippings aka fat and reuse it for cooking other dishes.
3. Larger cuts of meat can be made into smaller portions.
If the larger cut is just to much for your family, or you know they won’t eat your recreated meals, you can chop the larger cut into smaller portions. All you need is freezer bags or quality reusable containers, and a marker. Label and date a freezer bag. By labeling the bag you know exactly what is in the bag and when it went in the freezer. The date helps you remember to eat it that way you don’t risk it spending to much time in the freezer and getting freezer burnt. You will be saving money by cutting the larger cuts into smaller portions yourself. Stores pass on the cost of paying a butcher to chop the meat into nice neat small packages. Often times by charging more for those nice neat packages.
All good points