How to Save Money On Lunch Meat

Tired of spending a lot of money on lunch meat every week? You might be packing sandwiches for school or work every day, and the cost of deli meat can add up quickly. But don’t worry, I’ve got some great tips on how to save money on lunch meat that will help you keep your budget in check without sacrificing your favorite sandwiches.

How to Save Money On Lunch Meat

Lunch Meat isn’t always a necessity, but it sure is nice to have on hand sometimes. However, when you compare the cost of deli meat at the deli counter or lunchmeat in a package to regular raw meat, it can be hard to justify the cost.

Today I wanted to share with you a bunch of new ideas for saving money on lunch meat so that you can stretch your grocery budget as far as possible!

Lunch Meat Alternatives

Lunch meat alternatives are an excellent way to save money on your grocery bill while still enjoying a tasty sandwich.

One of the biggest advantages of alternatives is that they are typically less expensive than traditional deli meat. In addition, lunch meat alternatives can be healthier since they are often made from whole foods, which can be more nutrient-dense than processed meats.

Some popular lunch meat alternatives include:

• Leftovers from last night’s dinner
• Canned fish
• Hummus
• Spreads like avocado or nut butter

Leftovers are a great option because you can use any protein from the previous night’s meal, like roasted chicken or beef, and turn it into a sandwich filling.

Canned fish like tuna, salmon, or sardines are also delicious and packed with protein, and they come in many different varieties to suit your taste.

Hummus is another excellent option, especially if you’re looking for a plant-based alternative. It’s easy to make at home or buy from the store and is a great source of protein and fiber. You can use it as a spread for your sandwich or even mix it with some cooked grains, like quinoa or rice, to create a salad or a wrap.

Lastly, spreads like avocado or nut butter are great alternatives that add healthy fats and fiber to your sandwich. You can try different combinations to see what you like best, like almond butter with banana or avocado with turkey and tomato. The possibilities are endless!

How to Make a Chopped Meat Spread

If you want to use small amounts of meat or lunch meat in a sandwich, consider making your own spread! Remember the “chipped beef” or “dried beef” sandwich spreads from back in the day? You can make that yourself!

First, select a lunch meat that you want to use. Chop it up into fine pieces and put it in a bowl.

Add in some veggies that will go with the meat that you’ve chosen. Some options might be:

• Chopped celery
• Leftover cooked potatoes
• Chopped mushrooms (cooked or raw)
• Leftover roasted vegetables
• Cooked dried or canned beans
• Hard Boiled Eggs
• Shredded Carrots
• Shredded Apples

Add this into your meat.

Finally, mix in some cream cheese (or mayo, your choice) to bind everything together and put it on your sandwich. Don’t forget to add in some salt, pepper, garlic, or other spices to give it a little more flavor.

Saving on Lunch Meat by Buying in Bulk

Buying in bulk is a smart way to save money on lunch meat while ensuring you have enough for several weeks. Buying in bulk usually means purchasing more lunch meat at a lower price per pound than smaller packages. This way, you can save money in the long run and have enough lunch meat to last several meals.

Moreover, buying in bulk also helps to reduce packaging waste. You can purchase large cuts of meat from a butcher or meat department instead of buying pre-packaged slices that come in individual plastic packaging.

By buying in bulk, you can portion the meat yourself and store it in reusable containers or freezer bags, reducing your carbon footprint.

You can also buy deli meat by the entire chub and slice it yourself. This is what we’ve been doing lately to get the highest quality meats that we can for the cheapest amount per pound!

Where to Buy Bulk Deli Meat

There are a few places where you can buy deli meat in bulk or in the chub. They are:

• Costco
• Sam’s Club
• Straight from the Deli Counter
• With a local bulk foods coop

How to Stretch Lunch Meat

Stretching your lunch meat is a great way to make it last longer and save money.

One way to stretch your lunch meat is to use it with other ingredients to make a more filling sandwich.

Try layering the meat with cheese, lettuce, tomato, and other veggies to create a hearty and satisfying sandwich that doesn’t require as much meat. You can also use spreads like hummus, avocado, or mustard to add flavor and texture to your sandwich without adding more meat.

If you have leftover lunch meat in smaller portions that you don’t want to use on a sandwich, consider using it to make a soup, pizza, stir-fry, or casserole. You could also use it to flavor broth.

These dishes can be a great way to use up small amounts of leftover lunch meat while adding flavor and nutrition to your meal. You can also freeze small amounts of leftover lunch meat and use it in future meals or recipes, like omelets, quiches, or frittatas.

How to Freeze Lunch Meat

Freezing lunch meat is a great way to make it last longer and save money.

Before freezing, make sure the lunch meat is still fresh and hasn’t passed its expiration date. You can freeze lunch meat in its original packaging, but transferring it to an airtight container or freezer bag is a good idea to prevent freezer burn.

Be sure to label the package with the date and type of lunch meat so you can easily identify it later.

When ready to use the frozen lunch meat, remove it from the freezer and let it thaw in the refrigerator overnight. Avoid thawing lunch meat at room temperature, as this can increase the risk of bacterial growth. Once thawed, use the lunch meat within three to five days for best quality and safety.

How to Make Your Own Lunch Meat

Making your own lunch meat is a great way to save money and allows you to control the ingredients and tailor the flavor to your liking.

You can use a variety of meats, such as turkey, chicken, ham, or roast beef, and flavor them with herbs, spices, and marinades. Making your own lunch meat can also help reduce waste, as you can use up leftover meat or cuts that may not be suitable for other recipes.

To make your own lunch meat, start by selecting your desired cut of meat and seasoning it with your preferred spices and marinades.

Some good cuts to use are:

• Turkey Breast
• Chicken Breast
• Chuck Roasts

Then, bake or roast the meat in the oven until fully cooked.

Allow the meat to cool, then slice it thinly with a sharp knife or meat slicer. You can store the homemade lunch meat in the refrigerator for up to a week or freeze it for later.

Planning Lunches to Save Money

Planning school lunches is an essential part of schooling, and it is also important for homeschooling moms who want to save money.

By planning lunches ahead of time, homeschooling moms can take advantage of sales, buy ingredients in bulk, and use coupons to save money. This can help to significantly reduce the cost of groceries and minimize the amount spent on lunch meat, which can get expensive. Planning can also help homeschooling moms avoid the temptation of buying expensive, unhealthy snacks and fast food, which can add up quickly.

If you’re a homeschooling mom (or really, any mom!) looking for ways to save money and reduce stress, then you need to check out my Homeschool Lunch Planner!

This planner is designed to help you plan nutritious and delicious meals for your children while saving you time and money. With the Homeschool Lunch Planner, you can easily plan meals and snacks for the week ahead, use leftovers, and involve your kids in the meal planning and preparation process. It includes customizable templates, shopping lists, and meal-planning calendars.

Is it cheaper to make your own lunch meat?

Making your own lunch meat can actually save you money compared to buying pre-packaged lunch meat. Especially if you purchase meat in bulk or when it’s on sale. Plus, when you make your own lunch meat, you have complete control over the ingredients you use, which can also be more cost-effective.

For example, instead of buying pre-seasoned or flavored lunch meat, you can use a less expensive cut of meat and season it yourself with your favorite spices.

Why is lunch meat so expensive?

Lunch meat can be expensive for a few reasons. One of the main factors is the cost of processing and packaging.

To make lunch meat, the meat needs to be cooked, sliced, and then packaged for sale. All of these steps require machinery and labor, which can drive up the price of the final product. The companies that make lunch meat need to cover the cost of marketing and advertising to make their products stand out on store shelves.

Bottom line: since lunch meat is a “fancier” product with more packaging and convenience, it costs more money.

How can I save money on ham?

If you’re looking to save money on ham, there are a few things you can do. First, try purchasing ham when it’s on sale or in bulk. (Around Easter or Christmas are great times to do this!)

This can help you get a better price per pound than buying smaller amounts at regular prices. You can also try buying a whole ham instead of pre-sliced ham, which can be more cost-effective.

Is deli meat cheaper than packaged?

If you haven’t don’t much price comparisions, you may be wondering whether deli meat or packaged meat is cheaper. The answer is that it depends.

In some cases, deli meat may be cheaper than packaged meat, especially if you can purchase it on sale or in bulk. However, deli meat can also be more expensive than packaged meat, depending on the type and brand. Packaged lunch meat tends to go on sale more often than deli meat at the local grocery store.

One thing to remember is that deli meat is typically sliced fresh to order, whereas packaged meat may have a longer shelf life due to how it’s processed and packaged.

This can make deli meat more perishable and potentially more expensive. Additionally, some types of deli meat, such as premium cuts or specialty flavors, may be priced higher than packaged meat.

More Ways to Save Money

• Saving Time By Making On The Go Lunches Simpler
• 12 Simple Ways to Save Money on Groceries
• Frugal Tips for Large Families; How Large Families Can Save Money
• 5 Ways to Save Money on Energy Bills (By Traveling Back in Time)
• How to Save Money on Chicken

Saving money on lunch meat is helpful when you’re constantly having to buy it to prepare school lunches or for work. Using lunch meat alternatives, buying in bulk, stretching your lunch meat, freezing it, and making your own are all great ways to save money on sandwich meat. With a little bit of planning and creativity, you can enjoy delicious and affordable sandwiches every day.

What are some things that you’ve done to save money on lunch meat?

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Merissa has been blogging about and living the simple life since 2009 and has internationally published 2 books on the topic. You can read about Merissa’s journey from penniless to the 100-acre farm and ministry on the About Page. You can send her a message any time from the Contact Page.

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This blog post about How to Save Money on Lunch Meat was originally posted on Little House Living in May 2023.