meat from butchers V supermarket

cottage_retreatist

I was in my supermarket yesterday looking at meat and thinking how horribly expensive even the beef mince is - 4 quid for 400g - not the value (which I wouldn't get anyway - even though I'm on the absolute breadline) but the next level up!!

I only had 10 pound for the whole weekend's worth of meals so decided to ditch the meat, bought the veg and walked home via the butchers - went in and asked how much for a kilo of beef mince - 5.50!!!!!!!!!!

and you know this is going to be top quality! So I asked for 700g and only paid 3.90!

I'm going to the butcher from now on - no issues of what could be hidden in the butcher's burgers!

ladymarmalade

thehappybutterfly wrote: »

I always assumed that supermarket meat and especially poultry was much cheaper than butchery meat? I've always been a bit too scared to buy mince, stew etc from the butchers - I feel intimidated as I don't know how much and what to ask for

I just buy the packs of mince etc without actually knowing the weight - i know by looking how many people it will feed. How do you explain to a butcher how much you need? They don't know what size portions I eat.

I used to feel the same as you, but after buying several packs of chicken breasts, over the period of a few weeks, all of which smelt vile and definitely not fit for consumption despite all having at least three days left on the sell by date and being stored properly by me, I decided it was time to take the plunge.

I usually look at recipes and decide how much to buy from there. If a recipe for fours says 400g, I usually half it and add a little extra on as we have big appetites and don't snack. I have never got it wrong yet! However, my butcher (and most I have come across) are very friendly and more than happy to give advice, they even usually ask you if you have big appetites!

red_devil

butcher, support the small shops and get someone who knows what they are talking about. They have trained in meat.

marmitepotato

If only there was a butchers near me. The nearest is five miles away once petrol, parking, and time are factored in, there would be no saving.

thehappybutterfly

We're very lucky in our town - we have Tesco, Asda, Aldi, Lidl, Co-op, Farmfoods and Iceland. Along with several butchers and a first class poultry/fish shop where we regularly shop. When I think about it, from the poultry shop, I usually buy a large chicken (which does at least two meals), a steak round, 4 chicken rissoles, 4 steak or pork and apple burgers, 18 steak sausages and 6 huge chicken breasts and it comes to around £45. And it's all free range and freshly made - they make their pies in shop and the smell is divine!

That's at least 11 meals so it actually sounds very reasonable doesn't it?

Blackbeard_of_Perranporth

I will go hoarse before I consider buying meat at a supermarket. Only this week we had revealed the true revolting facts what goes in some products.

I use my butcher, who only kills what he can sell.

Hobsons_Choice

I'd happily use a butcher if our town had a decent one! I try to use the local farm shop when I can ... but l o n g for a decent butcher nearby.

Jazee

I'm another one who buys from a local butcher. Much cheaper, better quality and for those who can't get to him, he delivers.

bearcub

I think I've said this before, but I got a lot of replies saying that the shop was never open at a reasonable time for people who work fulltime. My answer is, in that case, go early-ish on a Saturday, buy for the week (or more) and use your freezer.

thehappybutterfly wrote: »

I always assumed that supermarket meat and especially poultry was much cheaper than butchery meat? I've always been a bit too scared to buy mince, stew etc from the butchers - I feel intimidated as I don't know how much and what to ask for

I just buy the packs of mince etc without actually knowing the weight - i know by looking how many people it will feed. How do you explain to a butcher how much you need? They don't know what size portions I eat.

I'm sorry, happybutterfly, but I find this so sad. I guess it's the difference in age (and I'd guess you're a lot younger than I am), but since we married 38 years ago, we've nearly always used a local butcher. That's not to say we didn't buy meat in a supermarket, but most of it was from a butcher. Because of that, I had to be brave enough to ask the staff how much I'd need, so you learn. But don't feel intimidated - you won't be the only one and, even if you are, they'll be very pleased to help you. In your case, if you're nervous, next time you buy a pack of meat from the supermarket, make a note of how much is in it, then you'll know!

Since we moved here 7 years ago, we've found that the local butcher not only sells all British (ie British origin) meat, but often island meat, too. They're excellent at giving advice on quantities and cooking and, because we have a huge problem with unemployment here, they're very good at advising on cheaper cuts of meat, too.

Having said that, we usually buy lamb mince (for moussaka) and frying steak from Mr M, simply because our butcher rarely has the first, and I happen to prefer the supermarket steak - only that type, though.

nightsong

Interesting thread!

We now buy most of our meat online, from a firm called Westin Gourmet. They are not cheap, but not unreasonable when they have special offers - we tend to stock up then. The quality is absolutely amazing, and they are very efficient - everything delivered to your door, very well packed. It would suit people who work and find it hard to get to the shops, I should think.

I agree about supermarket meat and there's nothing like a few weeks of eating really good quality stuff to make you aware of how rubbishy supermarket meat can be!

If we had a good butcher nearby I'd use it, but we live out in the sticks. Also my experience of butchers has been quite variable, to say the least. I'm very happy to have found a good online solution.