If you want to save money 💵 and time🕔, you should buy meat in bulk.
You often get better quality for the same amount of money as in the grocery store, or you simply pay less because you buy in larger quantities.
You save a lot of time grocery , and as long as you have meat in your freezer, you'll always have a meal on hand.
Here is your step-by-step guide on how to buy, pack, and organize your bulk meat purchase:
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1) Availability:
Contact a local beef farmer and find out when the next slaughtering occurs and if they have meat available for purchase. If they can't sell to you this month, make sure to be put on the list for next month.
2) Order:
Place your order with the farmer and, if possible, decide which cuts you want ground besides the standard. For example, you might choose cuts like round or sirloin if you don’t like slow-cooked meat.
3) Getting the Most Out of Your Money:
Some farmers include a lot of soup bones with your bulk purchase. Bones weigh a lot, so if you're not a fan of broth, check if there's another farmer nearby who sells in bulk without the bones. It might be a bit higher price per pound, but it could be worth it if you don't want to pay for bones you won't use.
4) Freezer Space:
Make sure you have enough room in your freezer. From our farmer, we can fit a quarter of a cow, about 90 kg, including soup bones, in our two freezers with a total capacity of around 400 liters. If you don't get the bones, it's easier to pack the meat in the freezer, and it requires less space.
5) Pick Up and Plan Ahead:
Pick up your order at the time and place provided by the farmer. If you know how much meat you consume, you can place your next order now, for next month or the month after, so you don't have to go a month without meat in your freezer.
6) Repacking:
Bring the meat home and repack it. Some farmers put all the cuts in large bags and boxes, so you’ll need to repack and label it yourself. For an extra fee, some farmers will vacuum pack it for you. If you want to save money, do it yourself. Repacking takes around 45-60 minutes depending on how much meat you receive. The first time might take longer, but you’ll get the hang of it!
Make sure to have a big garbagebage ready for the messy bags to be trown into. Also have s few different size ålastic bags ready. I use 4 liter and 8 liter plus a marker or a pen for quick labeling og the bag.
7) Organize in the Freezer:
I organize my meat into categories: ground beef, various steaks, roasts, and soup bones + organ meats. I makes it easier to find what you are looking for!
8) Managing a Large Purchase:
Every one or two days, check how much meat you have defrosted in the fridge. Plan a few days ahead and take meat out of the freezer accordingly. If your plans change and the fresh meat won’t be eaten that day, sprinkle salt over it and store it on a brine rack in the fridge.
9) Save Money for Next Purchase
Buying meat in bulk makes shopping a rare occation but that means that you have to save money each month for next months purchase of meat in bulk.
