A lot of the cheapest cuts of meat we can already guess -- typically, a ground meat is going to be cheaper than a whole steak, right? But with this exception made, we can say that typically, the cheaper cuts of meat are typically going to be tougher than more expensive cuts. That doesn't mean they can't be delicious -- many tougher, cheaper cuts are flavorful and tasty, they just need to be prepared a different way. For instance, flank steak is one of the cheapest steaks on the market. But when it's been marinated for a long time -- or cooked slowly in the Crock-Pot for a long time -- it's absolutely earth-shatteringly delicious. Another cheap cut featured here: chicken leg quarters, also called the whole chicken leg, are made of both the thigh and drumstick. They can either be cooked whole or separated, and they are the least expensive cuts of chicken.
A Crock-Pot can also be used for fast fall dinners that are full of fall flavor but are also just as tasty year-round. Similarly, it's just as good an idea to use the slow cooker in spring and make the most of seasonal spring ingredients. For parents who focus on nutrition, try some healthy, family-friendly Crock-Pot meals.
Having said that, a slow cooker really comes into its own for cooking those cheap cuts of meat low and slow, while everyone gets on with their day. The family can come home to a tasty, filling meal with less effort at the end of a busy day. Add a salad or a healthy side, and dinner can be on the table in minutes.
- 2-Ingredient Crock-Pot Barbecued Chicken Legs
Twenty20We love a recipe that tastes great and uses as few ingredients as possible -- not to mention a slow cooker one, which means it basically does the work for us. Check out this perfect 2-ingredient Crock-Pot barbecued chicken legs recipe
- Crock-Pot Mexican Casserole
Twenty20Our family goes nuts for this Crock-Pot Mexican casserole, which is healthy, gluten-free, and makes use of either ground turkey or chicken, according to preference. It's packed with black beans and quinoa, making it a good source of protein.
Slow Cooker Mongolian Beef
Twenty20This recipe for slow Cooker Mongolian beef makes use of flank steak, which is a tough cut of beef but a more flavorful one. It's a perfect way to use this cut, and is delicious with steamed broccoli in a garlic sauce and rice.
Slow Cooker Turkey Chili
Twenty20Kids love this slow cooker turkey chili, which is healthier and less expensive than a beef chili! While ground beef is the most economical cut of beef, ground turkey is even less expensive -- and has less fat, too.
iStockWhen it comes to cooking lamb, we adore lamb chops, but have to recognize that they're a treat, rather than an everyday meat. The cheapest is lamb shoulder, which is delicious in the slow cooker! Check out this recipe for slow cooker lamb shoulder
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Twenty20This recipe for slow cooker chicken quarters with potatoes & carrots creates a whole meal using the cheapest cut of chicken. Potatoes are always inexpensive, and one can use large carrots chopped up, rather than baby carrots, to cut costs -- full-size carrots have more vitamins, too.
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Twenty20We love this slow cooker spaghetti sauce with ground beef, which is rich and delicious, and uses the cheapest type of beef -- ground beef, or in recipes from the UK, it's often referred to as "minced meat."
- Slow Cooker Chicken Leg Quarters With Honey & Garlic
Twenty20We definitely have all the ingredients in our kitchen for slow cooker chicken leg quarters with honey and garlic, except for the chicken leg quarters, which makes this one an absolute winner for us -- simple and no new ingredients needed!
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