Now that the special-occasion expense of Valentine’s Day is behind us, many Americans likely will once again try to buckle down on their 2015 resolution to save money. And, with today's higher prices of beef, and cheaper protein options like pork and poultry available at the meat case, folks might think they need to skip beef in order to stay within their budget. However, there are several ways to get the best bang for your buck when it comes to buying beef.

The beef checkoff recently put together a pretty cool infographic with tips to save on beef that’s definitely worth sharing on social media. For those of us with freezers full of beef that we raised ourselves, these tips might not apply; however, for the average consumer, these tips could be useful in their ability to continue purchasing great-tasting beef.

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Here are six ways to save on beef:

1. Consider the price per serving.

“One pound of ground beef costs about $4.56, which works out to about $1.15 per serving. That’s a lot of satisfying nutrients for your dollar,” the folks with the beef checkoff say.

2. Buy family-size packs and bundles.

“If you can’t use it all for one meal, freeze it or use leftovers for salads, sandwiches, and stir-fry the next day.”

3. Go small.

“If you don’t need a pound of beef, don’t buy one. Instead, visit the meat case to find perfectly portioned steaks and roasts.”

4. Buy larger cuts and slice your own.

“Buying larger cuts of beef and slicing them into steaks at home can save you at least a dollar or two per pound. Freeze individually or serve when entertaining a group.”

5. Hunt for bargains.

“Every week, your local grocers will offer specials on beef. Watch the weekly paper for coupons and deals. Don’t get the newspaper? Check out the store’s website, Facebook page or Twitter. When you find a good deal on your favorite cuts, buy enough to stock your freezer.”

6. Ask for help.

“Talk to your friendly neighborhood butcher or meat counter clerk. Their job is to recommend the most appropriate cuts and tell you how to get the most out of them. You can also pull out your phone and visit www.beefitswhatsfordinner.com to research cuts, nutrition information and recipes.”

What tips do you have for saving on beef purchases? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.

The opinions of Amanda Radke are not necessarily those of Beefmagazine.com or the Penton Farm Progress Group.

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