Genuinely good prices on meat and fish?

avinabacca

Hi guys, had a thought earlier today.

Trying to shop more sensibly in 2012 and exploit good offers and bargains in the supermarkets and stores - but trying also not to be taken in by the kind of "half price offer" which immediately follows a huge price-hike on product.

So I wonder - how much do you tend to pay for your meat and fish? And what constitutes a "good price" (and even better, a "fill the freezer" price)? For example, when it comes to cheese I tend to hang on until the price dips to £5/kg or less; that's my "good price" for cheese, and what I'd ideally like to do is get an idea of similar for meat and fish, help me buy more effectively and save a few quid.

Have seen something similar HERE - mind, this is in the States; not everything there's applicable in terms of price (or even cut of meat) but it's the kind of thing I'm looking for. Is there anything similar about that anyone's aware of? (I know there's MySupermarket - but I find it something of a PITA to use at times, and of course it only compares price; doesn't give a value judgement of whether the big three are charging a good price...)

And of course, it's equally applicable to butchers/fishmongers as to supermarkets, this (hell, might even be useful in answering the old question of which is genuinely better value!) - so long as there's a "per lb/per kg" price for the meat/fish, it's simple enough to compare, and see who gets the best value and prices.

Hmmm - seems a bit of a ramble, this, but I'd genuinely both be interested to see where the best value is, and to see what I should be looking to pay when we're out shopping

(PS - and I know that the biggest discounts and best prices are on yellow-stickered meat and fish. Really looking more for "full price" stuff here - or at least product that's reduced as part of a structured campaign, rather than just approaching the use-by...)

bearcub

Hi. I'd suggest that, before you do research in the supermarkets, that you visit your local butcher, if you have one. A decent butcher will give you info on genuine value-for-money cuts of meat, plus ideas of ways of cooking to make the most of it. If you have freezer space, they may well also give you a real discount on multi packs of mince or chops etc, and/or half a lamb, for instance, cut into pieces ready for use. The likelihood is that the meat will be British-reared, too, so you'll be doing yourself and British farmers a favour.

Fish is a bit more difficult, as there are a decreasing number of fishmongers around now, and British caught fish is often very expensive.

kittycat204

I think this is a really good idea. with prices, on off, reduced, "normal" price. it would be good to have an average price for an item. we could try and start the ball slowly, average price for a chicken breast? value price, mid range and free range. Love this idea, can collate all the info and print it, to put in diary.

CH27

I would do as bearcub says & visit your local butcher.
You can buy exactly what you need & you get his expertise about different cuts & how to cook them.

bargainbunny

Hi great idea by the way
Also local markets normally do bundles like pork joint chicken portions
burgers chops etc for £10-£20 sometimes worth checking them out.

museumworker

I think some figures would be handy, in Tightwad Gazette they suggest keeping a price book for you to note what you pay for things, and then when they're on offer you'll know if its a good deal.

I'll get the ball rolling - from the top of my head, the best price I've paid for salmon is £5.59/kg (and that was wild salmon, reduced from the fresh fish counter at Mr S). Ok, that is by use up date, but you can freeze it.

avinabacca

Yes - that's just the kind of thing I was thinking of, museumworker. I thought I'd seen the idea somewhere before! Thanks for your salmon pricings, too

Aye, kittycat204 - I suppose if it's going to be a useful comparison it's going to have to include the different grades (if that's a helpful term?) too. So for, say, chicken, it could look something like:

CHICKEN
Cut ____________"value"_____ "standard"_____ "free-range"
Whole
Breast portion
Breast, skinless
Breast fillet
Leg portion
Thigh
Drumstick
Wing

Is this sensible - or does it just seem like a lot of hard work for not much? Inclined to think it could be useful (and again, very helpful when Tecso suggest that they're doing the customer a favour by offering a temporary "1/3 off", or whatever, on meat they've recently doubled the unit price on...); thoughts very much appreciated!


(Thanks for the tips to go and hit the local butcher, btw - big fan of using my butcher, and generally speaking there is indeed plenty of value to be had there, but the thing is, it doesn't really answer this question as it's not actually comparing prices in a wider sense and looking at what's good value over time )

Diflower

It's a good idea. Butchers are wonderful, but sadly ours retired and there's not one nearby now. Also, if you go to the butcher then the prices will be per kilo, so it's good to have a note of prices.

Today I bought a big lump of pork shoulder from Morissons, it was £2.22 per kilo, so cost £3.15 for a bit more than 1.4 kg and I think that was cheap.
I think therefore I'd say under £2.50 per kg would be good for pork shoulder.

For skinless chicken breasts, I tend to work out how much for each one. Trouble is, often when on offer they will be only 3 in the pack instead of 4. Obviously if you're going to do meals with whole breasts then you hunt through the pile for any with 4 in. So, £4 for 4 is good, but £4 for 3, not so good!
It does depend what you're going to do with them, if it's a stir-fry then 1 is enough for the two of us. And if it's for sandwiches then it doesn't matter what size they are.

I tend to work on the main bit of a meal costing £1 for the two of us (which is why we hardly ever have lamb) but some meals cost quite a bit less, so there is leeway.

Lidl have free range chickens for only about £3, but obviously they are small chickens. All the same, we would definitely get 2 main meals from one of those, so it's still pretty good since there would also be stock, and actually the odd bits would do a third meal (added to a stir-fry of noodles or rice, or mixed with spices on a pizza).

Rambling a bit here myself, but the way I do it is, if most meals are £1 per 2 portions for the main bit (meat), then we have veggie meals which are mostly cheaper, and the odd real bargain, so it allows for the occasional meal that's a bit more.

Pink.

Hi avinabacca,

As this thread has dropped down the Old Style board I've moved it over to the Food Shopping & Groceries board where you may get more replies.

Pink

Ken68

I'm game to report cheapest prices but we need someone to start and maintain a chart.
Cheapest cheese for me lately has been Edam at Lidl last weekend £2.35kg (in blocks of 400g 94pence.) As with DTD Tesco/Asda thingy...I filled me boots.
Cheapest pork chops is again at Lidl £2.70kg. Cheapest bacon locally is mishaped (though still slices) Heron £1.70 for 700 g.
And I never buy fresh fish. Frozen is £3.98 kg. though often wonder if i'm buying ice.

Edwardia

I'm no good at them myself but what about a spreadsheet ?

Fresh v frozen on fish.. with seafood the weight often does include a protective ice glaze. A lot of fish is frozen at sea now so there's an argument for saying that locks in the freshness and flavour. I buy cooked and frozen at sea wild North Atlantic shell on prawns (£6/kg) from a local seafood wholesaler which are fantastic. Having watched YouTube videos I'd never buy farmed prawns from the Far East now for fear of contaminated water and chemicals.

I think £4 for two small trout is good (ASDA) £3 for half a dozen langoustines (Morrisons), £5.75 for a whole wild pheasant or partridge and £5 something for a whole wild rabbit (Foodari).