Hoo boy!! The cost of living is starting to really kick in now! With another interest rate rise hitting our wallets and the threat of more on the way, I have had to tighten my belt another notch. Ouch! This week I have been on the hunt for where to buy cheap meat.
I have already updated our ‘Where to Buy Cheap Groceries’ article recently, because I have been on that bandwagon for a while… and now I am looking at the best places to buy cheap meat across Brisbane.
Is Woolworths/Coles/Aldi the best place to buy your meat? You probably already know the answer to that – no! But I am not going to lie… when they markdown their meat, you can find a cheeky deal, so don’t ignore them completely.
What I have also found is that you may need to drive a bit to find the right discount butcher in Brisbane – whether you are looking for cheap chicken or beef or pork, it does vary from week to week and store to store. Don’t immediately assume your local butcher is the best, or the cheapest… BUT you will also have to weigh up the cost of fuel against any savings on meat… unless you drive an EV, like I do! 😉
I have laid out my article in 2 sections:
- Top section – What type of meat is affordable including how to cook it and where I found it cheapest.
- Bottom section – My recommendations of the shops selling affordable meat across Brisbane and what is good at those shops/butchers.
I am a meal planner – so I have also added links to some recipes to help you make the most of that specific cut of meat. Save this article for later – it is going to really help a lot of us over the next year or so!
You. Are. So. Welcome!
Don’t pay more than these prices
Before we get started, if you are going to shop for the specials, these are the types of cheap prices you are looking for:
- Chicken breast ~ $6.99kg
- Chicken drumsticks ~ $4.99kg
- Rump ~ $13.99kg
- Beef mince ~ $12.99kg
- Pork mince ~ $7.99kg
- Pork roast ~ $6.99kg
- Pork chops ~ $7.99kg
Best Value Beef Cuts (Because Steak Shouldn’t Feel Like a Luxury)
Alright, so here’s something I’ve (re)learnt this week… if you’re only buying the “fancy” cuts, your grocery bill is going to hurt. A lot.
The good news? There are plenty of best value beef cuts that still taste amazing, you just need to know what to look for (and sometimes how to cook them properly). Here are some of my favourite places to look for these beef specials.
Rump Steak: Your Weeknight Workhorse
If you’ve got a family to feed (or teenagers who seem to eat like professional athletes), rump is your friend. It’s one of the most reliable budget-friendly beef cuts. I have found that it is often on special, easy to cook, and versatile enough for everything from BBQs to quick midweek dinners.
Cheapest place to buy rump: I like the rump deals at Big Gun Wholesale Meats
Chuck Steak: Not Glamorous… But Very Smart
Chuck isn’t winning any beauty contests in the display cabinet but give it a slow cooker and a few hours and it turns into something pretty special. This is one of those cuts that really stretches your dollar further, especially if you’re cooking in bulk. I usually use this slow cooker recipe. It really is good!
Cheapest place to buy chuck steak: Rocklea Meat Market (bulk so you will need to freeze it)
Blade Steak: The One Your Butcher Hopes You’ll Ask About
This is a bit of a butcher’s best-value pick. It’s got great flavour, usually priced well below the premium cuts, and works beautifully in slow-cooked meals. If you’re not sure, just ask. I still make this beef and broccoli recipe years after writing this article!
Cheapest place to buy blade steak: Rocklea Meat Market
Brisket: Weekend Cooking, Week-Long Payoff
Brisket can feel like a bit of a project (and it is), but it’s also one of the smartest value-for-money cuts if you’ve got the time. Cook it once, and you’ve got meals sorted for days. Think sandwiches, tacos, or reheated dinners when you just can’t be bothered. I love love LOVE Nagi’s slow cooker beef brisket recipe here.
Cheapest place to buy brisket: Costco is where I buy my brisket.
Beef Mince: The Budget MVP
In America they call it ‘ground beef’. We call it mince and it is doing a lot of heavy lifting in my house right now. It’s one of the easiest budget-friendly beef options and stretches across multiple meals. As I said above, I meal plan so it comes out a few times a week in spag bol, tacos, meatballs (I bought gravy mix from IKEA and we have it with mash and peas!) and these yummy sliders.
Cheapest place to buy mince: Golden Cockerel
Best Value Chicken Cuts (Because This Is Where You Really Save)
If beef is starting to feel a bit “special occasion,” chicken is where most of us are quietly making the switch. It’s cheaper, super versatile, and if you shop smart, you can save a decent chunk on your weekly spend. Hint: Freeze it!! Freeze it!!
Chicken Breast: Lean… But Watch the Price
Chicken breast is always popular, but it’s not always the cheapest option. It goes on special regularly though, so it’s worth stocking up when it does. Great for quick, healthy meals – I buy this on sale and repackage it and put it in the freezer.
Cheapest place to buy chicken breast: Ingham’s Lytton Factory Outlet but be prepared to go early and buy in bulk!
Chicken Thigh: More Flavour, Better Value
Thighs are where the smart money is. They’re usually cheaper than breast, harder to overcook, and packed with flavour. If you’re trying to cut costs without sacrificing taste, this is one of the best value-for-money cuts going.
Cheapest place to buy chicken thighs: Ingham’s Lytton Factory Outlet but be prepared to go early and buy in bulk!
Chicken Drumsticks / Pieces: Family Budget Winner
If you’re feeding a crowd (or just hungry kids), drumsticks and mixed chicken pieces are a no-brainer. They’re often the cheapest option per kilo and perfect for tray bakes, BBQs or throwing straight in the oven. My go to here is Apricot Chicken using this recipe.
Cheapest place to buy chicken drumsticks: Surprisingly, I recently bought them at Woolworths for $4kg! I got 24 chicken drumsticks for $8!
Chicken Pieces: The Bulk Buy Hero
Buying whole chicken pieces or mixed packs is one of the easiest ways to save. Yes, you might need to do a tiny bit more prep, but the price difference can be worth it. Great for batch cooking or splitting into multiple meals.
Cheapest place to buy whole chickens: Ingham’s Lytton Factory Outlet or Cockerels
Chicken Mince: Easy, Cheap, Done
Chicken mince is one of those budget-friendly staples that just makes life easier. It’s usually cheaper than beef mince and works in everything from burgers to stir-fries. Not fancy – but very practical when you’re trying to keep costs down. I make kid friendly meatballs – so yum!
Cheapest place to buy chicken mince: Mega Meats at Browns Plains
Best Value Pork Cuts
Pork is a bit of a quiet achiever when it comes to saving money. It is often cheaper than beef, regularly on special, and you can get a lot of mileage out of the right cuts. This is especially true if you are happy to cook once and eat twice or even three times.
Pork Shoulder: Maximum Value, Minimum Effort
If you have a slow cooker, or a bit of patience, pork shoulder is one of the best value-for-money cuts out there. It is usually well priced and turns into tender, pull-apart meat that can stretch across multiple meals. Think tacos, rolls, and leftovers for days. Done.
Cheapest place to buy pork shoulder: Tribe of Judah Care Services
Pork Chops: Easy Midweek Option
Pork chops are one of those everyday cuts that are quick, easy, and often overlooked. Prices can vary, but they are regularly discounted and make for a fast dinner when you do not have the time or energy to think too hard.
Cheapest place to buy pork chops: Fresh N Save (Deagon, Richlands & Morayfield)
Roast Leg of Pork: The Stretch-It Meal
A roast leg of pork might feel like a splurge, but it can actually be a smart buy. Cook it once and you have a proper roast dinner, plus leftovers for sandwiches, lunches, or another meal the next night. When you break it down like that, it is a pretty solid family-friendly value option.
Cheapest place to buy roast pork: Fresh N Save (Deagon, Richlands & Moryafield)
A Quick Reality Check (Because I Learnt This Too…)
Not every cut is cheap every week. Prices move. Specials change. And sometimes the “cheap” option at one store is more expensive than somewhere else entirely (yes, I checked 😅).
You may have noticed I haven’t included lamb in my list. I am sure I don’t have to tell you… it’s not cheap. And I couldn’t find anywhere that did it in any way that was affordable. If you know of anywhere that does affordable lamb, let me know in comments.
If you really want to save:
- Keep an eye on weekly specials
- Don’t be afraid to try different cuts
- And ask your butcher what’s good value right now
Because right now, it’s not just about buying cheap… it’s about buying smart.
Affordable places to buy meat across Brisbane
Ok, the main event! Here’s what you came here for… the cheapest places in Brisbane to buy meat to help you and your family eat well for less! I have made the heading clickable usually to their Facebook page, so you can see what their specials are right now!
Augusta Farms Meat Market
- Shop 1 3242 Old Cleveland Road Chandler 4155
Augusta Farms Meat Market in Chandler is a family-run butcher known for a huge range of fresh beef, lamb and pork, with a strong focus on value-driven weekly specials and bulk meat deals.
Big Gun Wholesale Meats
- 2912 Logan Road Underwood
They have weekly specials and offer $200 vouchers in their competitions on Facebook. They often have 12kg boxes of chicken wings for $30!
Costco
- 17-39 Cook Court, North Lakes QLD 4509 & 1 Wood Street, Bundamba QLD 4304
We all know (and love?) Costco. If you have a membership, they have some fantastic deals if you are ok to buy in bulk. At the time of writing chicken breast is $9.99kg, chicken thighs is $11.79, pork mince is $7.99 and beef mince is $12.99. That’s pretty good!
Fresh n Save – Deagon & Richlands & Morayfield
- 75 Braun Street Deagon 4017 & 144 Pine Road Richlands 4077
Whilst these guys to all sorts of groceries, they make my list because they have good quality meat at low prices!
Golden Cockerel Outlet Shop
- 1483 Mount Cotton Road Mount Cotton 4165
These guys are a strict EFTPOS-only factory outlet selling discounted chicken products, including fresh and frozen lines, with items often marked down due to being seconds, short-dated stock, or having minor packaging or labelling issues. The stock changes daily, so it is very much a “get in, grab a bargain, and stock the freezer” kind of place rather than your standard retail shop.
Families Tip: They offer no returns or refunds.
Hans Factory Shop
- 79 McRoyle Street Wacol 4076
Hans Factory Shop post on their Facebook page daily with all their specials. Not as cheap as some of the others, but definitely worth a look if you live nearby.
Ingham’s Lytton Factory Outlet
- 82 – 102 Trade Street Lytton 4178
The Ingham’s Lytton Factory Outlet is known for its daily rotating bulk specials on fresh and frozen chicken and turkey. Typical deals include large trays of chicken breast, thigh cutlets, mince, schnitzels, nuggets, kebabs and whole roasting chickens, often sold in bulk cartons at heavily discounted per-kilo prices.
Families tip: There are strict limits per customer and no refunds on outlet items.
Lighthouse Care
- 13-15 Monte-Khoury Drive Loganholme 4129 & 1/16 Central Court Hillcrest 4118
Lighthouse is one of Australia’s cheapest grocery stores. At Christmas they gave away a free chicken with a purchase of a $25 trolley of groceries and in January they gave away a free 2kg lamb roast. Lighthouse is a not-for-profit giving back to Australian families.
Marjax Meats Rothwell
- Shop 6, 743 Deception Bay Road Rothwell 4022
A huge selection of bulk meats. They are known for their great service and discount prices. My friends rave about this butcher!
Meatland (Thomas Farms at North Lakes)
- 52 Flinders Parade North Lakes 4509
OK, hand on heart honest – these guys are not the cheapest place to get meat – but I have included them because of their affordable quality meat. Check their Facebook page for their specials – they are known for exceptional quality at affordable prices!
Mega Meat
- 5-7 Enterprise Way, Browns Plains QLD 4118
They offer weekly specials and giveaways on their Facebook page. While I was writing this article; I saw that they have Angus Rumps for $15.99 a kilo, which is not bad.
Rocklea Meat Market
- Shop 14/385 Sherwood Road Rocklea 4106
These guys sell a lot of bulk meat. And I mean bulk – like half a cow. They will cut it up for you though, so there is that! 😉
Super Butcher
- Albany Creek, Ashmore, Browns Plains, Eagle Farm, Mermaid Beach, Morayfield, Oxenford, Runaway Bay, Southport, Wynnum
You can buy instore or online for delivery or click and collect! They have a great reputation and cheap prices. I love their 5 meals for $55 value packs. They get rave reviews online too! If you use 10OFFFIRST you get 10% off your first order.
Tribe of Judah Care Services
- 101 Park Road, Slacks Creek 4127
Last time I checked, these guys had sliced porterhouse for $19.99kg! If you fancy a splurge, this is the place to go when they have these kinds of offers!
Cheap meat Brisbane
There you have it. I have researched and gone out to check the prices and the quality of a bunch of cheap places to buy meat across Brisbane. Remember, these specials and prices change daily. The best absolute way to check for the best deal for you is double check the Facebook page to see what the most up to date offer is. And if you think I have forgotten a brilliant one, let me know in comments below.
