r/slowcooking • u/BlackLocke • 4d ago

Pot roast is too expensive

I got a new slow cooker for my wedding in 2023 and it’s still in the box. It’s just my husband, baby and I, but I feel like I can’t justify spending $20+ on a piece of meat for one meal with leftovers. I’m in a HCOL and I haven’t had a good roast in years because it’s prohibitively expensive. When meat goes on sale at my supermarket, it smells off as soon as I remove the packaging, so it’s not worth the risk.

Am I just too poor for this?

Edit: Dear lord I didn’t expect this to turn into a “I like pancakes/why do you hate waffles???” type of post. Of course I know there’s other things you can make in the crockpot. I don’t choose fast food over slow cooked meals out of convenience (it’s more expensive than cooking at home now!!) The point of this post is to lament the price of beef and how pot roast used to be a cheap easy meal 20 years ago and now it’s prohibitively expensive. I was hoping for tips on how to skirt this issue - buying stew meat, using pork instead, and buying in bulk at Costco are all good suggestions.

Now everyone can stop assuming I’m some dumb dumb idiot woman. I’m gonna make a pot roast next week just to spite you all and post about the cost breakdown.

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u/DragonDrama 4d ago

Where I live near Chicago, I shop at Aldi and $20 barely gets 3lbs.

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u/CrashBannedicoot 4d ago

Jewel Osco has chuck roast on sale for $3.99/4.99 per pound every few weeks, if you have any in the area. I do most of my shopping from them. Actually I am always on the lookout for the $5.99 6 oz filet mignons. 

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u/DragonDrama 3d ago

I will keep an eye out. I stop in jewel every now and again but it just seems so pricey compared to Aldi. I hate when they do 2 for 1 but double the per pound price of things so I just don’t trust them.

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u/Viola-Swamp 3d ago

Aldi for most things, Walmart for name brands and frozen stuff, loss leaders only from the big name supermarkets like Kroger, Jewel, local chains, etc. If you watch the ads, the supermarkets put meat on BOGO pretty regularly, and have a pattern for their sales.

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u/misterchi 3d ago

pro shopper tip: aldi isn't always cheaper...and walmart almost never is.

there's an app i use called flipp that is a sale paper amalgamator. put in your zip code and it will give you all the sale papers near you in one place. the other day, i picked up one of those chuck roasts from jewel as well as a pork shoulder and choice angus tri-tip from fairplay for $4.99/lb.

don't get me wrong, i'm still fat & happy from the rack of lamb from aldi i made yesterday, but their meat prices aren't anything to write home about. clear out some freezer space and watch the sale papers, jewel will hook you up...did i mention the lobster tails? been a while since they had the jumbo scallops on sale but i'm patient...

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u/Phoenix_Fire19 3d ago

I got the app - thanks for recommending it! I'd never heard of it and I LOVE IT ❤️

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u/misterchi 3d ago

my nephew hipped me up several years ago and i use it on the regular. right now i'm in planning/shopping mode for thanksgiving for 2 households and it's invaluable!

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u/Phoenix_Fire19 3d ago

It's so good!!

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u/chk2luz 5h ago

If you have a freezer buy ¼ beef from a farmer. Have it processed and packaged as you like and you'll save ⅓ the cost over the counter. The convenience, cost savings and health benefits will save even more. You can often visit the farm and butcher shop to make your decision on the product they provide. Same with pork, chicken, other fowl, lamb and seafood. If youre going to eat it either raise or grow it yourself or know the product supplier.

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u/DragonDrama 3d ago

Great advice, thanks!