Go Meatless and Save Money on Groceries

Take a look at your latest grocery receipt. How much do your meat purchases add up to? Twenty percent? Thirty? If you are feeding a typical family, your meat expenses are hefty. Going meatless a few nights a week can save you significant sums of money at the grocery store.

No, you don't have to become a vegetarian and you don't have to stock up on expensive soy products. Simply rethink your meals. Love chili? Who says you have to load it up with meat? Vegetarian chili is equally hearty. The same is true of veggie lasagna. Who says that pizza needs to be loaded with pepperoni, sausage, and other meats? Whether you're making your own meatless pizza from scratch or buying a frozen pizza from the store, you'll save money by avoiding meat toppings.

Next, think of meals that don't require meat at all such as quiche, pizza, cheese enchiladas and commit to going meatless at least twice per week. Instead of beef stew, serve a creamy broccoli and potato soup. Pita pockets stuffed with falafel patties and mint yogurt are delicious and hearty, especially when served with a Greek salad and rice pilaf. In fact, there's nothing wrong with serving soup and a large salad for dinner every now and then. Load the salad up with hard boiled eggs, cheese, tomatoes, avocado slices, and other hearty ingredients and serve with warm crusty French bread and a delicious vegetable soup and enjoy a lighter, vegetable-packed meal (and cost savings).

If you're not quite ready to go completely meatless, cut the amount of meat used in half. For example, instead of using a pound of ground beef in your chili, use half a pound and reserve the other half for the next night's lasagna. Buy your meat in bulk and save even more. For example, you can buy three pounds of boneless pork for about six dollars. Cook up the pork in a slow cooker and shred it for use in casseroles, tacos, tostadas, enchiladas, soup, and pulled pork sandwiches. When planned well, this one purchase can stretch out over four to five meals.

As you know, meat is expensive. Assuming that you're paying $4 per pound, cutting out two meat-filled meals would save you $8 for the week or $32 for the entire month. By combining strategies (cutting out meat twice per week and stretching meat purchases over two, three, or more meals), you will save even more!

Commit to going meatless at least two nights per week and you will start seeing a reduction in your overall grocery expenses for the month.