How To Find The Best Meat Markdowns At Target

If you're a Target shopper, you may already have a handle on when you're likely to snag a sale price on holiday items or home goods. But if you're in the market for meat on the cheap, Target can be the place for that, too. You just need to keep an eye out for clues about potential price drops and know when to shop.

A tip for finding deals on meat at the popular retailer's stores is to keep an eye on discount days. Throughout the week, Target stores will discount items in various departments. Some devoted shoppers point to Sundays as markdown days for groceries at their local Target location while others have said sale stickers are popped onto packages on Tuesdays. The best option is to simply ask an employee to learn your Target's schedule. Once you know which days groceries are discounted, you'll know when to visit to fill your red cart full of beef, chicken, and pork. Others say that this practice has been phased out by Target.

One surefire strategy for finding marked-down meat is to examine expiration dates. Prices on meats that are approaching expiration may be slashed by 25%. Lucky enough to find packages that have been marked down but still have several days left? If you have the patience to wait and the time to return to the store, you may find even deeper discounts as the date draws nearer — provided someone else doesn't snap up the deal before you do.

Target has more than a few ways to help you be frugal. One way to save on anything you buy at Target is to use a RedCard. Available as a debit, credit, or reloadable card, when used, it can save you 5%. You can also join Target Circle to get 1% toward future purchases and 5% off on your birthday.

Additionally, you can download the Target App which allows you to see and shop current deals as well as save more than money. When you use the app, you can cut down on the time it takes you to get your shopping accomplished by placing an online order. Then, just pick it up at the store or have it delivered.

Price matching is another way to save a few bucks. Sometimes, pricing online will differ from what you see in the store. If so, Target will adjust the cost to what's listed on its site. Plus, the store will also match some competitors' pricing for up to two weeks after you've bought an item.

One of the easiest ways to save on meat is to take advantage of meat markdowns when you're fortunate enough to find them. Frozen meat remains safe to eat for anywhere from three months to a year, depending on the type. For the best results, make sure to either vacuum seal or wrap the meat with plastic wrap before placing it in a resealable freezer bag.

Doing some of your own processing of the meat can cut down on costs, too. Consider buying an entire chicken instead of just parts, or purchasing larger pieces that you can slice up at home. Additionally, try turning to cuts of meat that may be less popular but are also typically less expensive than other parts of the animal. Experiment in the kitchen with making brisket instead of steaks or lamb shank instead of lamb rib chops.

Finally, make the most of your meat by adding other ingredients. You can still have a meat-centric meal, but add bulk to it with inexpensive legumes and veggies. Consider packing burger patties full of lentils, mushrooms, and onions, or add bulk to your homemade chili with more beans, carrots, and bell peppers for a satisfying way to fill your stomach up but still keep costs down.