Budget-Friendly Beef for Your Family
 Family budget feeling pinched? Cut costs and continue to enjoy the powerful protein and delicious flavor of your favorite beef dishes. There are beef choices to satisfy all tastes, schedules and budgets. Planning menus, creating shopping lists and knowing what to look for on the label when buying beef will help consumers stretch their food dollar, without sacrificing the health benefits of a high-quality protein diet. Here are some tips to help make efficient purchasing decisions at the meat counter:
1. Consider cooking once to dine twice. Preparing a little extra ahead of time is an easy way to create beef dishes that are ready to serve without breaking the bank. A grilled steak tonight easily becomes a key ingredient for tomorrow’s protein-packed salad. Or crumble leftover cooked burgers into chili, pizza or pasta dishes for a planned meal the next day. Better yet, choose affordable beef roasts that transform into two plentiful entrees.
2. Keep an eye out for inexpensive new steaks. The Flat Iron or Top Sirloin Steaks, and lower priced thin-sliced steaks are great way to save on stir-fries, stroganoff or steak sandwiches.
3. Rely on that family favorite: Ground Beef! Look for leaner options, like 97 or 95 percent lean, to keep your meal healthy and affordable.
4. Consider the cost per serving versus the price per pound. The amount of beef to buy varies with the cut selected. Cooked yields per pound are related to the amount of bone, fat trim and cooking method. Learn more here.
5. Buy in bulk to realize cost savings. Instead of buying pre-cut meat for kabobs, stew and stir-fry, save money by buying steaks or roasts and cutting them into meat cubes or strips yourself. Another approach is to purchase boneless roasts to cut into steaks. Your local butcher may be happy to slice them for you without added cost. Plan ahead and freeze cut beef for 6 to 12 months.
6. Remember beef's value for your body! Lean beef is one of the most efficient sources of nutrients there is, so one serving goes a long way toward providing nine essential nutrients. Because it’s such a good value in terms of useful calories, lean beef is always a worthwhile investment. Check out all your lean beef options!
Cook Once, Dine Twice:
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Corned Beef with Apple-Onion Saute
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Classic Rueben Sandwiches and the Southwestern Twist!
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Inexpensive Steak Options:
Ground Beef Favorites:
Nutrient Bang for Your Buck
 Naturally nutrient-rich foods, like lean beef, help people get more essential nutrients in fewer calories. Choose from a variety of beef dishes such as salads, soups, stews, stir frys and sandwiches that include vegetables and whole grains. These nutrient-rich main dishes are satisfying, delicious and easy on the pocket book. MyPyramid.gov can help you plan menu around the nutrients important to you and your family.
Lean beef is one of the most efficient sources of nutrients there is, so one serving goes a long way toward providing nine essential nutrients. Because it’s such a good value in terms of useful calories, lean beef is always a worthwhile investment. Learn more about the body benefits of lean beef.
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