Let's talk meat

[chemicalflaw]

Hey everyone!
So, I've already mentioned a few times that I buy my bacon in bulk.
This week we also bought our ground beef in bulk. $25 for 10lbs (medium). I know I've gotten it for less before at Maxi, but this stuff was wonderfully fresh.
We portioned it out into 10 13-oz packets and 8 burger patties. (I call 13oz a "pound" to stretch it a little.)

I have a few questions I'd like to hear your opinions on.
1. What are your stock-up prices for meat?
2. Does anyone else buy bulk (or packages) from a butcher?

[Patty Smyth]

We just recently went vegetarian, sorry no help here

But when I did buy meat it was at L'entrepot des viandes in St. Leonard, 10kg of boneless skinless chicken breasts air cooled $45.

[2010ontest]

for beef... I prefered to buy a quarter or an half animal in spring or autumn from dairy producer I know... I tend to take young animal... too old to be called veal but not fully confirmed adulte stage.

Buying an animal give me opportunity to get alot of different cut of meat and this way I get the kind of piece available in one animal... we can't get more filet mignon than what is in one animal! sure there is more ground than steak or filet mignon. If I don't buy it this way, I have difficulties to buy steack, t-bone or other piece like that.

[Arielmac]

I don't have anything intelligent to add to the subject but: am I the only one singing Let's Talk about meat on the Salt n Pepa hit Let's talk about sex?

[2010ontest]

no you are not alone!!!

I have done it the same way

[AnnieP]

Ladies, your really funny!

[GeorgiaK]

Thanks Ariel, now I can't get the darn song out of my head.

[abouret]

Let's talk about meat baby
Let's talk about steak and T's
Let's talk about all the good things and the bad things that is meat
Let's talk abooout meat!

[IMLN]

You guys crack me up! I actually thinking about that song!

[MomOfOne79]

this is why I love this site!! You are all so funny!!

[Dadsaver]

I usually buy pork, chicken and beef (steaks and other cuts) at Centre de viandes Lasenza on Belanger. I always buy ground beef at Metro because I find they offer high quality at fair price and I can make some points.

[rewok]

Ontest, are you willing to share the name of your meat provider and what it cost for a quarter? (it's OK if you don't) I'm thinking about trying that this year (to get good quality meat), and I'm not sure where to look.

[chemicalflaw]

You ladies are hilarious.

for beef... I prefered to buy a quarter or an half animal in spring or autumn from dairy producer I know... I tend to take young animal... too old to be called veal but not fully confirmed adulte stage.

Buying an animal give me opportunity to get alot of different cut of meat and this way I get the kind of piece available in one animal... we can't get more filet mignon than what is in one animal! sure there is more ground than steak or filet mignon. If I don't buy it this way, I have difficulties to buy steack, t-bone or other piece like that.

My mother-in-law always did that, too. Buying a half cow, and half (or maybe a whole) pig from a local farmer. But they had a giant giant chest freezer. So did my mother. I, unfortunately, only have the one above my fridge. I've been trying for over a year to save up for one, though I'd only have room for a small one. Since I can't get that much meat, I'm wondering if it'd be economical to buy smaller packages from my local butcher. I can share their price list if anyone is interested. Based on my calculations, though, I can probably get the same for less in most instances by shopping around for sales (though not much less and the convenience and freshness might be worth the little extra). The other downside is that they all include a lot of steaks. We don't eat steaks. They're just too expensive. Though, at least I might finally have some! I love them! I just can never justify buying them.

[2010ontest]

The other downside is that they all include a lot of steaks. We don't eat steaks. They're just too expensive. Though, at least I might finally have some! I love them! I just can never justify buying them.

This is why I prefered to buy 1/4 or 1/2 animal...
I can't justify buying the expensive price steak is.
Buying animal smooth the price for me and I gladly accept the quantity available for one animal.

I have a big freezer this help me...
my parents and my in-laws always have it too...
I buy my first freezer when I was student and living with DH
(it was our first electro before washing machine, dryer, oven or fridge!).

DH parents before and his brother now are dairy farmer...
So DH always eat beef from his family farm.
Dad was working with them as cattle inseminator, so he always have farmer offer him beef and this is what I always eat when I was young

Ontest, are you willing to share the name of your meat provider and what it cost for a quarter? (it's OK if you don't) I'm thinking about trying that this year (to get good quality meat), and I'm not sure where to look.

In my area there is alot of dairy farmer, I know some of them.
So often a farmer neighbor ask me if I need or want an animal or an half or a quarter.
Price go a little bit with the age of the animal for some and not for other, this varie.
some sold only the animal and butcher work need to be paid separately.
Some don't bother and include the butcher price in their price.

Anyway, I prefered that meat then the one from store and I have the opportunity to ask for kind of piece and cut I want.
My preference go for the young animal in extra at the farm (because they are dairy farmer and have quota to respect for milk) more than for the oldiest one.

[IMLN]

My DD's boyfriend is a butcher and worked many years in a slaughter house. He got contract this year to kill and butcher up 30 beefs. We are planing also to buy a whole beef with my MIL & DD this fall. We never usually buy beef or rarelly, we buy porc alot, max a pay per pound would be 2.50 i usually get the huges loins and cut them up or go to mayrand i get a complete leg and butcher it up. For chicken i buy whole and butcher my own legs, wings & breasts and keep the bones for broth, around 5$ a chicken max 2$ a pound i would pay for breast with bone in.