Cheap Cuts of Meat That Taste Expensive, and Exactly How to Cook Each One
The cheapest cuts are often the most flavorful. They just need the right cooking method. Treat a budget cut like a steak and you'll be disappointed; cook it the right way and nobody will guess what you spent.
The rule: tough cuts love time, thin cuts love heat
Muscles that work hard (shoulder, leg, shank) are full of flavor and connective tissue. Cook them low and slow until the collagen melts, or slice them thin and cook them fast. The middle ground, like a medium-cooked thick piece, is where cheap cuts go wrong.
Beef
| Cut | Also called | Best way to cook |
|---|---|---|
| Chuck roast | Acém, aguja, diezmillo | Pot roast, stews, shredded beef. See our pot roast recipe. |
| Top round | Coxão mole, bola | Sliced thin for milanesa or bistec; diced for picadinho |
| Bottom round | Coxão duro | Braised in a covered pot, sliced against the grain |
| Beef shank | Músculo, chambarete, osobuco | Soups like caldo de res, slow braises |
| Ground beef | Carne moída, carne molida | Burgers, picadillo, meat sauce, empanadas |
Pork
| Cut | Also called | Best way to cook |
|---|---|---|
| Pork shoulder | Paleta, pernil (PR) | Roast low for pernil, carnitas or pulled pork |
| Pork chops | Bisteca, chuletas | Quick sear or grill; brine or marinate first |
| Pork belly | Barriga, panceta | Slow roast or torresmo. See pork belly 3 ways. |
Chicken
| Cut | Also called | Best way to cook |
|---|---|---|
| Thighs | Sobrecoxa, muslos | Grill, roast or braise; very hard to overcook |
| Leg quarters | Coxa e sobrecoxa | Roast or grill; often the best value per pound |
| Whole chicken | Frango inteiro, pollo entero | Roast whole, or cut into pieces yourself and save |
| Wings | Asas, alitas | Grill or bake. Here's our wings recipe. |
Five tricks that make cheap cuts taste better
- Salt early. Salting a few hours ahead, or overnight, seasons deeply and keeps meat juicy.
- Marinate thin cuts. Citrus, garlic and a little oil do wonders for bistec and chops.
- Slice against the grain. Short fibers chew tender.
- Use the pressure cooker. It turns a 3-hour braise into about an hour.
- Ask the butcher to cut it. Thin slices, cubes or a tied roast, cut exactly for your recipe.
Save even more
Pair budget cuts with our weekly specials, WhatsApp codes and family bundles. Every option is in our coupons and deals guide, and here's a week of dinners from one bundle.
Quick answers
What is the cheapest cut of beef that tastes good?
Chuck is a favorite: inexpensive, well marbled and perfect for pot roast and stews. Top round sliced thin and ground beef are also great budget choices.
How do you make cheap meat tender?
Cook tough cuts low and slow until the collagen melts, or slice them thin and cook them fast. Salting ahead, marinating and slicing against the grain all help.
Where can I buy affordable meat in Davenport, FL?
At Costa's Meat Market, 2169 Davenport Blvd. Check our weekly specials and family bundles, join the WhatsApp VIP group for discount codes, and get 5% off for following our socials.
Shop the counter at Costa's
2169 Davenport Blvd, Davenport, FL, in Webb's Town Center. Open Mon–Sat 8 am–8 pm and Sun 8 am–5 pm. Order online for pickup, call for custom cuts, or join the WhatsApp group for weekly specials.
