For home cooks who care about high-quality ingredients, your local butcher is one of the best resources available. A good butcher can help you select the best cuts for your needs, provide expert cooking advice, and even prepare meat to save you time in the kitchen. But if you’re used to grabbing pre-packaged meat at the grocery store, you might not be sure how to shop for meat from a butcher counter to get the best value and service. Learn how to find the best deals, place special orders, and take full advantage of all your butcher has to offer like an expert with this full guide to shopping for meat at the butcher (including word-for-word scripts!).
Finding the Best Value: Understanding Pricing & Quality
A good butcher counter offers higher-quality meat than most grocery stores, but that doesn’t mean it has to be expensive. Knowing how to assess value and pricing can help you get the best deals while still enjoying top-notch ingredients.
- Explore Lesser-Known Cuts – Premium steaks and boneless chicken breasts come with a premium price tag. Ask your butcher about flavorful but more affordable options like bavette steak, tri-tip, pork collar, or bone-in chicken thighs.
- Buy in Bulk – Purchasing larger quantities of meat (like a whole chicken instead of pieces) is often more cost-effective. Your butcher can break it down for you.
- Look for Weekly Specials – Many butchers run discounts on certain meats each week.
- Ask About Freezing & Storage – If you find a great deal on a larger cut, ask how best to store and freeze it for future use.
- Buy in Bulk – Purchasing larger quantities of meat (like a whole chicken instead of pieces) is often more cost-effective. Your butcher can break it down for you.
- Look for Weekly Specials – Many butchers run discounts on certain meats each week.
- Ask About Freezing & Storage – If you find a great deal on a larger cut, ask how best to store and freeze it for future use.
How to Buy Meat from the Butcher
Unlike a grocery store where you grab pre-cut portions, at a butcher counter, you’re in control of your order. Here’s how to approach it:
- Know What You Need – Think about what you’re cooking, how many people you’re serving, and what level of fat or marbling you prefer.
- Specify Weight or Servings – If you’re unsure how much to buy, your butcher can help. Saying, “I need enough for four people” works just as well as ordering by weight.
- Choose Your Cut – If you have a specific cut in mind, ask for it. If not, describe what you’re making, and your butcher can recommend the best option.
- Request Any Prep Work – Butchers can trim fat, cut meat to size, or prepare it exactly how you need.
What to say word for word when placing an order at the meat counter:
“Can you trim some of the fat on this down for me?”
“I’m making fajitas/stir-fry- can you slice this thinly for me?”
“Could you cube this for stew/kebabs?”
“I’d like this roast tied off so it cooks evenly—can you do that?”
“I need enough for four people—how much would you recommend?”
What Questions Can Your Butcher Answer?
Your butcher has a wealth of knowledge on all things meat, don’t be afraid to ask them questions or worry about sounding silly- They are there to help!
- What’s the best cut for your dish – Not sure what’s best for a stew, ragu, or to grill? Your butcher can guide you.
- Cooking Techniques – Ask how to cook a specific cut, including ideal cooking temperature and time, searing tips, or whether it benefits from marinating/ how long to marinate.
- Portion Sizes – Get guidance on how much meat you need per person.
- Sourcing & Quality – If you care about sustainability or local sourcing, ask where the meat comes from. Any good butcher should be able to tell you.
Your Scripts for Asking The Butcher for Recommendations:
“I’m making X dish, what cut do you recommend?”
“I want something tender for grilling—what do you suggest?”
“Is there something similar to a NY Strip that’s a bit more budget friendly?”
“Do you have any dry-aged steaks or special cuts right now that you think are worth trying?”
What Your Butcher Can Do for You
One of the biggest perks of shopping at a butcher counter is that they can prepare your meat exactly how you need it, saving you time, stress, and cleanup in the kitchen. Don’t hesitate to ask for their assistance to make your life easier!
- Custom Cuts – Whether you need thinly sliced beef for stir-fry or a thick-cut ribeye, your butcher can cut it to order.
- Tied Roasts – If you’re roasting a pork loin or beef tenderloin, ask your butcher to tie it for even cooking.
- Spatchcocking a Chicken – This method flattens the bird for quicker, more even roasting but can be messy and laborious to do on your own.
- Deboning & Portioning – Butchers can debone poultry or fish and cut meat into cubes or individual portions.
- Grinding Meat Fresh – Need ground beef or pork for meatballs or burger patties? Your butcher can grind it fresh just to your liking.
How to ask the butcher for specific preparations:
“I’d like two pounds, but could you cut it into individual portions?”
“Can you butterfly this chicken breast/pork chop?”
“Can you debone this chicken thigh/fish for me?”
Don’t be Afraid to Talk to Your Butcher!
Shopping at a butcher counter is one of the best ways to get high-quality, flavorful meat for home cooking. By asking the right questions and utilizing your butcher’s skills, you can elevate your meals, get great value, and save yourself a whole lot of time and stress! With rising grocery costs, be sure you are utilizing the full breadth of your butcher’s capabilities to get the most out of your dollars. Next time you visit your local butcher, don’t be afraid to ask for recommendations or custom cuts.
If you’re looking for high-quality meats and expert butchers in the city, check out our roundup of the best butchers in Chicago to find all the top spots for fresh cuts, specialty meats, and personalized service.