The average food price in the United States rose by 3.2% in the last 12 months, which is higher than the core inflation. Beef and veal prices, in particular, were 11.3% higher than in July 2024.
The increase put many families into a position where they have to think twice before buying a nice piece of meat. People started to wonder what other solutions are available to keep their daily protein intake without breaking the bank.
The story
That frustration led one user on Reddit to write: “Welp, I've been priced out of hamburger meat. What's your go-to protein source?” Then further added, “73% hamburger is nearly 7 dollars a lb at Walmart. That's too bougie for my blood. What's your go-to protein source, like what you eat the most of?”
The original poster was not alone, and hundreds of people agreed on the rising cost of food overall, not just hamburger meat. Many shared alternative protein sources that are affordable and widely available. Some recommended how people can buy cheap meat at discount stores.
The reactions
One of the most upvoted answers was short: “BEANS. All kinds and shapes.” And honestly, that’s a perfect protein source, which is also cheap to get. Beans stretch into anything: soups, burritos, spreads, even salads. Buy them dry, cook a big pot, freeze portions, and you’ll always have them on hand when you need them. You can also add a little garlic and onion while they simmer, for extra flavor.
Another person suggested lentils: “Lentils have a ton of protein and nutrients. They will also make you feel incredibly full. Definitely one of the better meat substitutes.” Lentils are quick to make and are affordable. You can make creamy soups with red lentils, can use green lentils in salad, or also make a lentil curry and eat it with rice, bread, or even as a soup.
Many people recommended eating chicken as an alternative protein source. It is much affordable compared to other meats. Someone wrote, “Go to protein for not breaking the bank - Any day, every day - Thighs or breasts, but also watch the discount bin at the smaller stores for other stuff. Use your freezer when you see sales. Check Aldi if you have one.”
Thighs and leg quarters are cheaper than breasts, and bone-in pieces usually cost less. You can make a lot of delicious meals with them, such as chicken soup, chicken pot pie, and you can even add them to pasta or rice.
Another person recommended bulk shopping, as it can save a significant amount of money. He mentioned, “Try Aldi for ground beef. Costco, if you're a member, you can buy six pounds for about $5/lb at a time. Otherwise, try ground chicken.” If you’ve got freezer space, you can easily store the bulk items. Use ground chicken in tacos, pasta sauces, or meatballs, and with the right seasoning, most people won’t even notice the difference.
Most people already know about this, but someone mentioned, “Peanut butter.” It may sound surprising in a meat thread, but peanut butter is full of protein and is also cheap compared to beef. You can surely make sandwiches, but you can also make a Thai peanut butter sauce that you can eat with noodles as well as stir-fry.
You can also make peanut butter at home. All you need is peanuts, salt, and a blender, and you’ll have your own healthy and affordable peanut butter that you can use in savory items as well as in desserts.
Many people leaned on basics as they provide enough protein to your body, as one mentioned, “Eggs! Omelets are also a good way to use leftovers.” Eggs are still one of the cheapest proteins around. You can use them for breakfast, lunch, or even dinner. Scrambled, boiled, baked into frittatas, they’re hard to beat for cost and convenience.
There was also this tip: “Grind your own from cheaper cuts. It’s surprisingly not hard.” If pre-ground beef is overpriced, buy a chuck roast or brisket on sale and grind it yourself. A food processor works fine, and the flavor is often better than what you get in the package.
The comments show that if meat prices are out of budget, you can still have protein in your meal. Work with alternatives and mix different protein sources, like the following person explained, “I just made a lasagna and the ragu part was a mix of lentils and tinned corned beef and it worked really well!”
That same approach works in other meals too. Chili can be made with a mix of beans and a small amount of ground meat, and nobody will notice the difference. You can make shepherd’s pie by using lentils as the base with just a little beef or lamb. There are many other dishes where you can mix or replace meat with different alternatives, such as beans or lentils.
Other affordable protein sources
The Reddit thread was packed with great ideas, but here we have collected a few others that are reasonably priced and provide a great amount of protein.
Tofu: It is one of the cheapest proteins you can get, and it takes on any flavor you cook it with. Press out the water, cube it, and pan-fry it until crisp, then toss it in soy sauce or curry.
Edamame: It is easy to steam or microwave, and it makes a quick snack that is also filling. Toss it with a bit of garlic and sesame oil, and it will taste much better than chips.
Quinoa: Costs a little more than rice, but it’s a complete protein on its own. Use it as a base for salads, stuff it into peppers, or add it to soups.
Canned tuna: It is still one of the fastest, cheapest proteins in the grocery store. You can turn it into tuna salad, toss it with pasta, or mix it with breadcrumbs and make tuna patties.
Seitan: You may not have heard of it, but it’s full of protein. Seitan is made from wheat gluten, and it’s surprisingly meaty in texture. You can slice it into stir-fries or marinate it in barbecue sauce. If you like experimenting, you can even make it at home from flour and water.
Chia seeds: These seeds are full of protein and fiber. Mix them with milk overnight to make pudding, or stir them into smoothies for a quick boost.
Sunflower seeds: These seeds are a snack on their own, but they’re also great sprinkled over salads or blended into sunflower seed butter. Not only do they have protein, but they are also cheaper to buy.
The takeaway
Beef might be out of reach for a lot of people right now, but that doesn’t mean that you have to skip protein altogether. There are plenty of other options, such as beans, lentils, eggs, chicken thighs, and peanut butter. Many of these are cheaper than beef and add a great variety to your diet.
Rising prices might change the menu, but with good alternatives, dinner can still be filling, healthy, and affordable.
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