cheap meat

katiesmummy

i usually only buy fresh meat from the butchers or iceland, but was wondering if it makes a lot of difference buying frozen meat such as the type they sell in iceland. all the meat i tend to buy is mixed with other things for things like spag bol or curry etc, but i am on benefits now, and am determined to keep my shopping costs down

i have noticed that frozen meat tends to be cheaper, but is it a case of you get what you pay for?

Lusignan

Frozen mince is uniformly vile and has a high water content. I've had frozen chops and joints from various places which have been fine.

katiesmummy

ok, so no to mince then, but yes for joints & chops- what about chicken breasts, as i tend to use chicken more than anything else?

jennyjelly

I've bought frozen chicken breasts and they have been fine, but now I tend to buy the Value or Smart Price fresh ones as there doesn't seem to be much difference in the price. I think the only difference between these and the higher priced ones is that they are not cut so well, or they are all different sizes.

Having said that, if I find them reduced I bung them straight in the freezer anyway!

Smiley_Mum

Sorry to hijack the thread, just wondered, is frozen meat heavier than fresh or just the same weight or lighter?

Oldernotwiser

Why not buy cheaper cuts of meat fresh, rather than the most expensive (chops/joints/chicken breasts) frozen. You'll save more money and the meat is better flavoured.

ethansmum

I buy frozen lamb mince/beef all the time and it tastes just fine too me.

Smiley_Mum

I do buy cheaper cuts of meat, I bought oxtail the other day in my local butcher and it was a frozen pack, priced at £4.97 per kilo compared with £4.79 at Tesco but better quality meat. It was frozen though at the butchers and I just wondered whether it is lighter frozen or fresh, same weight or not. I'm curious.

angelavdavis

There was a recent post about buying meat from Lidl. It generally is cheaper and on the whole, seems to be good quality.

The thread is here:

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=398110&highlight=lidl

I tend to buy fresh meat and then freeze it. This includes mince. The only exception are Lamb Chump Chops from Lidl that are prefrozen.

auntie_brenda

oooohhh, another opportunity to spread the word....... do you have a Morrison's near you? If so they sell ham hocks for only £1.39. Bring to the boil in water then put in fresh boiling water in slow cooker with veg, herbs etc. Took only 4 hrs to cook on high, mouth wateringly tender meat for dinner & 2 lunches (ok, would have been more but a lot of quality control was needed.... ), plus a pot of soup (left on after I took meat out and added pulses so really filling).

Yum, better than cheap mince any day!