Been wanting to get back into smoking meats but summer is getting pricey. Anyone know good budget options that still turn out great? Used to do brisket all the time but that's getting expensive now. Thinking beef chuck or pork shoulder maybe?
Getting outdoors and smoking meat is such a good way to decompress. Beef ribs or chicken thighs can stretch your budget further than brisket these days. Just getting back into it too and the hobby's been solid for my mental health.
Pork shoulder is gonna be your cheapest route and honestly some of the best pulled pork comes from there anyway. Way more forgiving than brisket if you're shaking off the rust.
Chuck roast is your budget king for smoking. Costs like half what brisket does and turns out incredible if you low and slow it. I've been doing way more of it since budgets got tighter too.
Summer prices are brutal. I started buying what's on sale and planning around that instead of targeting specific cuts. Last month got a killer deal on beef ribs and it changed my whole strategy. Being flexible is the way to stretch the budget.
Beef chuck is your friend right now. Can get decent pieces pretty cheap and it smokes beautifully. Also pork shoulder is still reasonable if you want to switch it up. Hit up a local butcher instead of the grocery store, usually better prices.
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Chicken thighs are underrated and way cheaper than brisket. People sleep on them but they smoke great and you can do a whole batch for like half the price. Low and slow still applies.