Four Affordable Ways To Beef Up The Holidays

As cattle ranchers, the Christmas season is truly our time to shine. Nothing says festive merriment quite like a prime rib roasted and served with au jus at the center of the dinner plate.

It’s a meal we look forward to all year. However, in 2023, I’m mindful of the rising price of beef and that a prime rib may simply be too costly for most Americans this Christmas season.

But there’s hope! Beefcan still be a major part of family gatherings and celebrations with friends, co-workers and community members. 

Today, I’ve rounded up some affordable ways to incorporate beef into holiday menus. Here are my four best tips. Feel free to share with friends who may be looking to buy beef on a budget.

1. Look for affordable cuts.

I know prime rib may be a family tradition, but if the sticker price is a little too steep this year, consider more affordable cuts to satisfy the family’s hankering for beef this Christmas.

A chuck roast, seared, slow-roasted and served on a fresh baked bun with Swiss cheese and au jus dip is a rich and savory alternative.

Or, how about a beef brisket, smoked and thinly sliced? Sirloin tip steaks, cubed and fried, make an excellent chislic. Don’t forget the homemade ranch or cheese sauce for dipping.

Ground beef would be another affordable option. Get creative and make festive meatballs. This is a favorite in our house, and my kids love trying new ingredients to add in or top their meatballs with.

2. Shop sales and get to know the folks behind the meat counter.

Make sure to check out holiday sales at a local grocer, meat locker and other shops. One might just be able to snag a prime rib roll at a discount. Or perhaps, they are clearing out tenderloins. Call often and stop in frequently to get the best deals. 

Get to know the workers at the meat case, and they will let you know of upcoming discounts.

3. Buy in bulk.

Now is a great time to stockpile beef in a deep freezer. Get in touch with a local rancher and consider purchasing a quarter or a half of a beef. 

The up-front cost may be a little intimidating, but after breaking down the cost per pound for everything from ribeyes to ground beef and soup bones, one will quickly realize it’s a very economical way to have beef on the menu year-round.

4. Cook once, dine twice.

The old adage, “Cook once, dine twice” is a great way to make a good beef meal and then use the leftovers in another way to have a second meal centered around beef.

An example would be to prepare a tenderloin, sliced thin and served with wild grain rice and bacon-wrapped asparagus. Then, take the leftovers and serve over a salad with spinach, red onions, cherry tomatoes and balsamic dressing.

Or, take a rump roast, slowly cooked in a crockpot and served with all of the fixings – mashed potatoes, gravy and corn. Then with the leftovers, shred and make quesadillas. Use corn tortillas, shredded cheddar cheese, sour cream, tomatoes, onions and lettuce.

The possibilities are endless, and this is a good strategy to utilize when hosting family members over the holiday weekend when we need to prepare multiple meals.

I hope these tips help readers think about ways they can afford beef and enjoy this wonderful protein during their holiday gatherings this season. 

What other strategies would you add to this list? Feel free to share with friends to help them navigate their way through the meat case and explore ways they, too, can enjoy beef on a budget.

Amanda Radke is a rancher, author, motivational speaker and podcast host. For more from Radke, visit amandaradke.com.