The Ultimate Guide To Meats You Can Buy At The Grocery Store - The Daily Meal (2024)

Facts Guides

New Africa/Shutterstock

BySteven Wadlow|Oct. 8, 2023 9:25 am EST

We may receive a commission on purchases made from links.

Welcome to the ultimate guide on navigating the vast world of meats available at your local grocery store. In this comprehensive exploration, we'll equip you with the knowledge you need to make informed choices about the meats you bring home to your kitchen. Whether you're a seasoned home chef or just starting your culinary journey, understanding your options is essential.

When selecting meat, it's essential to consider the source, cut, and grade. There's a vast difference between grass-fed, grain-fed, and organic meats. Cuts like sirloin, ribeye, or tenderloin offer varied textures and flavors. While supermarkets provide convenience, specialty shops or butchers aledgedly offer higher quality or unique selections.

Knowing the difference between grocery store meats and those from a butcher's shop can elevate your cooking to a whole new level. As we delve into this guide, we will explore different types of meats, the various cuts available, essential buying tips, recommended preparation methods, and the myth that butcher shops are higher quality than grocery stores.

Bloomberg/Getty

Chicken is a versatile and widely accessible protein choice, meaning you'll typically find various types, cuts, and preparation options to suit your culinary needs, offering a range of chicken types, including whole chickens, chicken breasts, thighs, drumsticks, rotisserie chickens, and wings. Each type brings its own unique flavors and textures to your dishes.

While buying chicken, it's essential to consider factors like freshness and labeling. Look for chicken with no off-putting odors, unusual discoloration, or sliminess. Check labels for information on organic, free-range, or antibiotic-free options if that's your preference. Lastly, identify the sell-by date to determine when to eat it or freeze it.

You can slow-cook it for tender stews, bake it for a crispy skin, grill it for a smoky flavor, or broil it for a quick and delicious meal. Healthier methods like sous vide can help mitigate some of the nutrients that are normally lost while cooking chicken. Additionally, a report by Healthline highlights that high-temperature methods of cooking, like steaming or even microwaving, can help reduce carcinogens found in chicken.

Juanmonino/Getty

Beef is a perennial favorite on dinner tables worldwide; itshistoric demand in the U.S. and its domestic production make it a widely available staple in every grocery store in the country.

Based on their location on the cow, beef cuts include loin, chuck, rib, round, flank, short plate, brisket, and shank. Ribs, rightfully the most expensive cuts of beef, are great options whether you prefer a tender, fatty prime rib or a leaner cut like sirloin. A more economical choice is what is known as plate cuts, or as you may know them, meats like ground beef, skirt steak, and bacon. These cuts are tougher but can also be used in a variety of recipes, from burgers and breakfast to tacos or carne asada.

When purchasing beef, consider factors like marbling and grading. Marbling, the fine streaks of fat within the muscle, influences the meat's tenderness and flavor. Higher grades of beef, like prime or choice, typically feature better marbling.

Contrary to common belief, grocery store beef can be of excellent quality. Understanding these factors involved in beef selection can help you make the best choices. The major differences in beef cut flavors are whether they are grain-fed or grass-fed and if they are dry or wet-aged. Those accustomed to butcher shops, where beef is typically dry-aged, may not enjoy the usual wet-aged beef in grocery stores. It's simply a matter of taste.

Carlosgaw/Getty

Pork, often regarded as the other white meat, holds a special place in the grocery store's meat section.As you approach the meat section, you'll find many different cuts of pork, including pork chops, pork tenderloin, pork shoulder, and the beloved pork belly, which gives us bacon and ham.

Each cut has its unique qualities, lending itself to different cooking methods, textures, and nutritional impacts.Pork is an excellent source of essential nutrients, including protein, vitamins, and minerals, making it a healthy addition to your grocery cart, according to Pork.

When choosing pork, look for cuts that are fresh, have a pinkish color, and are well-marbled for optimal tenderness and flavor.

Pork's versatility shines through in the kitchen. You can roast, grill, braise, or fry pork to create a wide range of delicious dishes, from succulent roasts to crispy bacon.Pork chops are excellent for quick cooking methods such as grilling, pan-frying, or baking. They canbe seasoned or marinated to enhance flavor and cook relatively fast, whileporktenderloin is a lean and tender cut ideal for roasting, grilling, or slow cooking.

BearFotos/Shutterstock

Lamb, a meat with a rich history that spans cultures, continents, and time, can also be found at most major grocery stores. You can find a variety of cuts, including lamb chops, leg of lamb, and lamb shank. While mutton, which is made with older sheep, is not commonly found in the U.S. due to the costs, its younger counterpart, lamb, has become an American staple.

When buying lamb, consider its source and age. Younger lamb typically has a milder flavor, while older lamb, known as mutton, tends to be richer and stronger in taste. Lamb is a source of high-quality protein and essential vitamins and minerals, making it a nutritious addition to your diet.

Lamb's distinctive flavor pairs well with various cooking methods. You can roast it for a celebratory feast, grill lamb chops for a quick and flavorful dinner, or simmer lamb shanks for tender and aromatic stews.

Dreamsquare/Shutterstock

In our exploration of meats available in the grocery store, we come to veal — a delicacy that may not be as common as other meats but is worth discovering.Veal is the meat of young cattle, typically calves under a year old. This youth contributes to its tenderness and delicate taste.

It's essential to look for veal that appears pale pink, almost white and has a fine texture. Contrary to misconceptions, veal raised under modern practices focuses on animal welfare and nutrition, ensuring a quality product.While it may not be as common as other meats in grocery stores, it is still readily available, especially in well-stocked supermarkets.

Veal's tender and delicate nature makes it ideal for quick cooking methods like pan-frying, sautéing, or roasting. Its mild flavor pairs well with various seasonings and sauces, allowing for culinary creativity.Fresh herbs, lemon zest, white wine, and butter-based sauces can accentuate the delicate taste of veal. Veal shanks are best suited for slow-cooking methods such as braising. Osso buco, a classic Italian dish, involves simmering veal shanks in a flavorful broth until tender.

Posteriori/Getty

Turkey, a lean and protein-packed poultry, has transcended its traditional role as a centerpiece of Thanksgiving dinners. Its different cuts, styles, and health benefits have made it a year-round favorite commonly present in most grocery stores.

You'll encounter whole turkeys, perfect for celebratory occasions, convenient turkey breasts, and ground turkey; each cut offering an opportunity to create delicious and nutritious meals. Some common choices to be made are white or dark meat and skin or no skin. While all turkey is rich in B vitamins and minerals like magnesium, iron, potassium, and zinc, dark meat and skin are actually higher in fat and calorie content. Skinless, white-meat turkey is the smarter choice for nutritional purposes, according to Heart.

While considering preparing your turkey of preference, it can be roasted or grilled with your seasoning of choice or breaded and fried. However, frying tends to increase the fat level in the skin, so a more nutritious choice if you plan on frying, is to substitute unhealthy, fatty oils with better options like canola oil.

Artevent Et/Getty

With its myriad of flavors and origins, Sausage adds a delightful twist to your culinary repertoire. Whether you're looking for classic pork sausage or exotic blends, the sausage section in your local grocery store is a treasure trove of options. Sausages are incredibly multifaceted, with variations made from various types of meat, including pork, turkey, beef, and more. Each type brings its unique blend of flavors and textures, making sausage a culinary canvas to explore.

The best part about sausages is their adaptability to different cooking methods. Whether you prefer grilling sausages for that perfect snap, pan-frying them to a crisp finish, or conveniently baking them in the oven, sausages are an adaptable addition to your recipes.

Sausages are common in most grocery stores, such as prepackaged processed options and fresh selections from the butcher counter. This accessibility allows you to experiment with a wide range of flavors and styles. For those seeking unique sausage blends or flavors, don't hesitate to inquire with your local butcher. Butchers often create custom sausage blends and can recommend specialty options that may not be readily available in the prepackaged form, even from the grocery store butchers.

In fact, family-owned, homemade sausage makers and butchers are deeply woven into the tapestry of 20th-century American food culture, with immigrants from many European countries bringing their artistic methods with them, passing them down through the current generation.

Volurol/Shutterstock

Renowned for their succulent and flavorful meat, ribs have a rich American history and are a staple of meat departments in grocery stores across the nation. The most common options you'll encounter are pork ribs and beef ribs, each coming from a different animal. With their universal appeal, Ribs are sure to be stocked in your local store. You can easily pick up a rack of your favorite ribs, whether you're planning a backyard barbecue or a hearty family dinner.

The four most common types of pork ribs are based on their location in the pig. They are called the St. Louis cut, baby-back ribs, spare ribs, and rib tips. Baby-back ribs take first place in cost and quality, as they are more succulent and lean. If you're going for inexpensive and plentiful, spare ribs come in the largest quantity, made from the largest portion of the ribs, and therefore may require more preparation.

The science behind ribs is fascinating. The meat adheres tightly to the bone, which makes slow-cooking and smoking the preferred methods for unlocking their mouthwatering potential. The low and slow approach allows the collagen in the meat to break down, resulting in tender, fall-off-the-bone goodness. Grilling is another popular option, imparting a smoky char to the meat.

Krblokhin/Getty

Although it technically falls under pork, ham is an extremely popular grocery store meat that deserves its own category. Hams come in various cuts, from whole hams to boneless, spiral-cut hams and ham steaks. Widely known as an Easter tradition or an ingredient for a school sandwich, ham actually comes in many forms, providing something for everyone.

There are many things to consider when purchasing ham at the grocery store. Bone-in hams are more flavorful than boneless ones, which are easier for carving and preparation. Explore the available glazes and flavors. Honey-glazed hams are sweet and savory, while smoked hams offer a robust flavor. The last major consideration is wet-cured ham, which is more common and cured with brine and then smoked, or dry-cured ham, known as country-style ham, which is cured with salt, air-dried, and only smoked, not cooked.

The preparation of ham varies depending on the cut and style. Whole hams are often baked to perfection, resulting in a flavorful and tender centerpiece for celebrations. Spiral-cut hams require minimal effort, as they are ready to serve. Ham steaks can be pan-fried or grilled for a quick and delicious meal.

Алексей Филатов/Getty

Next up, ground meats offer endless possibilities for creating delicious dishes. Common options include ground beef, ground pork, ground turkey, and ground chicken. Each variety has its own flavors and nutritional profiles, catering to diverse consumer preferences.

Ground meats are often favored for their affordability, making high-quality protein accessible to many. They are a perfect base for meals, lending themselves to a wide range of recipes. From meatloaf and burgers to tacos or simple meal prep, ground meats can be nutritious, with leaner options available for health-conscious consumers, according to Medical News Today.

Turkey and chicken are healthier options for ground meat due to their lower fat content, and for those who prefer ground beef, check the label for lower-fat cuts of ground beef, which can be found in your local grocery store. Add your own nutritious twist to your old recipes — form a hamburger patty with ground chicken or make meatballs with ground turkey. It is also worth mentioning that if you prefer to ground specialty meat or just a better cut of meat, most grocery store butchers will accommodate you.

mark gusev/Shutterstock

Duck, once considered a specialty meat reserved for upscale dining, has increasingly found its way into the meat sections of grocery stores, offering consumers a delectable option for their culinary adventures. It is available in various cuts, including whole ducks, duck breasts, and duck legs.

Duck's increasing availability in most grocery stores signifies its growing popularity among consumers. As the duck meat market expands, you're more likely to find this delightful option on your regular grocery shopping trips. When purchasing duck, consider factors like plumpness, skin color, and freshness. High-quality duck meat should be tender, with a layer of fat beneath the skin for added flavor. Select ducks with skin that is evenly colored and not discolored or torn.

Duck is known for its rich and savory flavor; its preparation can vary. Common cooking techniques include roasting, pan-searing, and slow cooking. Achieving the perfect crisp skin and tender meat requires attention to detail, but the results are well worth the effort.

While duck is increasingly common in grocery stores, some specialty cuts or preparations may require a visit to your local butcher. Butchers can provide expert advice on selecting the right duck cuts and may accommodate special orders based on your preferences.

Ermak Oksana/Shutterstock

Venison, often considered a delicacy, is a unique and flavorful meat sourced from deer. This savory deer meat is available in various cuts, including steaks, roasts, and ground meat.However, due to how the meat is gathered through hunting, venison is more commonly found in specialty stores or through local butchers due to its niche market. These outlets often provide high-quality cuts and are knowledgeable about sourcing and preparation.

Another way to obtain venison is through word of mouth or from friends or family that hunt.When purchasing venison, consider the source and freshness. Venison from reputable hunters or processors ensures quality and ethical sourcing. Freshness is crucial to the meat's taste and tenderness.

It's worth noting that hunting practices and regulations in different states can influence venison availability. Some states, like Kentucky, value hunting more, resulting in larger harvests and potentially greater availability of venison in grocery stores. If you live in one of these states, you are likely to find it when it is in season.

Venison's lean and tender qualities make it a versatile choice in the kitchen. Common cooking methods include grilling, roasting, and slow cooking. The key is to preserve its tenderness while enhancing its natural flavors.

one pony/Shutterstock

Organ meats, often referred to as offal, are a treasure trove of culinary delights that have graced tablesfor centuries.Theyencompass a rich diversity, with each offering its unique flavor and texture. The liver, heart, kidneys, and more allow you to explore new tastes, expand your culinary horizons, and improve your health, according to Healthline.

While once considered niche, the availability of organ meats is on the rise, driven by increasing demand from health-conscious consumers. You can find organ meats only in select grocery stores, specialty butchers, and local markets. Seek out reputable sources when purchasing organ meats. Local butchers are excellent options, as they often prioritize quality and ethical practices. Inquire about sourcing to ensure you're getting the best possible organs.

Organ meats are nutrition powerhouses, rich in essential vitamins and minerals such as vitamin A, vitamin B12, iron, and more. In fact, they are often more nutrient-dense than muscle meats, making them a valuable addition to a balanced diet.

Organ meats hold a special place in the culinary traditions of various cultures. From liver pâté in France to hearty heart stews in Eastern Europe, there is a wealth of recipes to explore. Dive into these diverse culinary traditions and discover the ways to enjoy organ meats in your cooking.