If you’ve bought beef recently, you’ve likely noticed the price jump. For many Canadians, it’s becoming harder to enjoy their favourite cuts without stretching the budget. At Yankee Flats Meats, we know this struggle is real — and we’re feeling it too.
Instead of focusing on why prices have gone up (we covered that in our last blog), this time we want to talk solutions: how to adapt, save money, and still eat incredible local meat.
1. Explore More Affordable Beef Cuts
High-end steaks aren’t the only way to enjoy beef. Cuts like chuck roast, brisket, short ribs, and stew beef are often more affordable and full of flavour, especially when slow-cooked. With the right recipe, you can create meals that rival a premium steak dinner.
2. Swap in Other Local Proteins
When beef prices are high, it’s the perfect time to explore other options:
- Ground Chicken – great in burgers, pasta sauces, and tacos
- Pork Steaks or Shoulder Roasts – flavourful, tender, and perfect for the BBQ or slow cooker
- Lamb Shoulder or Shanks – rich and hearty, ideal for cozy, satisfying meals
These swaps not only help you save but also support more local farming families in our community.
3. Buy in Bulk to Save More
Buying larger quantities, like freezer packs or whole/half animals, lowers your cost per pound and keeps your freezer stocked for months. It’s one of the most cost-effective ways to eat local, high-quality meat and you’ll always have dinner ready without a last-minute grocery store run.
4. Plan Meals Around Sales & Seasonal Availability
At Yankee Flats Meats, we run weekly specials on different cuts throughout the year. Building your meal plans around what’s on sale not only saves money but also inspires you to try something new. Plus, seasonality affects prices and options -
5. Make the Most of Every Cut
From using bones for soup stock to repurposing leftover roasts into sandwiches or stir-fries, stretching each cut as far as it can go helps you get maximum value.
Why This Matters for Local Farming
Rising beef prices are challenging for everyone — from the farmers raising the cattle, to us here at Yankee Flats Meats, to the families buying the meat. For our local farmers, smaller herd sizes and high feed costs have made raising cattle more expensive than ever. For us, it means razor-thin margins and tough decisions to keep our products accessible.
We want to keep everything transparent so you know exactly what’s going on and how it impacts you. Your support — whether that’s trying alternative proteins, buying in bulk, or simply shopping local — truly makes a difference. Together, we can help ensure our local farming families and small businesses make it through this challenging time, while still bringing incredible, honest food to your table.
💡 Pro Tip:
If you’re curious about how bulk buying works, check out our Whole & Half Animal Guide — it’s one of the best ways to stretch your meat budget while getting incredible variety.