How Much Is Ground Beef at Costco? A Look at Prices and Savings Tips

Ground beef is a staple food item for many households. It’s versatile, budget-friendly and easy to cook with. For those reasons, many shoppers look to stock up on ground beef when it’s on sale. One of the best places to find discounted prices on bulk packages of ground beef is Costco.

But how much does ground beef cost at Costco, exactly? What special buying tips can help you save even more money on this popular item? Read on for a complete guide to getting the best deal on ground beef during your next trip to Costco.

Typical Costco Ground Beef Prices

Costco prices on all products, including ground beef, can vary a bit by location. But in general, here’s an overview of the typical per-pound prices you’ll find in the meat department:

• 85% lean ground beef: $3.49 to $3.99 per pound

• 90% lean ground beef: $3.99 to $4.49 per pound

• 93% lean ground beef: $4.29 to $4.79 per pound

As you can see, fattier ground beef is the least expensive, while leaner blends cost more per pound. Packages usually range from one to three pounds, so you may pay $10 to $15 for a package of 85% lean ground beef.

Costco also sells pre-made ground beef patties, which are convenient for grilling up burgers. These are typically priced from $9.99 to $14.99 for a package of 24 to 30 patties. That breaks down to about $5 to $7 per pound for the patties.

Buying larger bulk packages can help you maximize savings on Costco ground beef. Read on for more details.

Buy Bulk Ground Beef Chubs

One insider tip for getting the rock-bottom lowest price on ground beef at Costco is to buy it in bulk tubes called chubs.

These ground beef chubs are large 10-pound logs of meat wrapped in plastic tubes. You can special order them from the butcher counter.

The beef in the chubs is very lean, between 92% to 95% lean. And the price is even leaner, at just $2.99 to $3.29 per pound at many Costco locations.

That adds up to just $29 to $33 for 10 pounds of ground beef if you buy a chub. Compared to $35 to $40 for 10 pounds of the 85% lean ground beef, you could save $5 to $10 just by ordering the chubs.

The leanness of the meat in the chubs makes it perfect for most recipes like taco meat, pasta sauce, casseroles, meatballs and many more dishes. So it’s a great option for most households.

Just be aware that very lean ground beef like in the chubs can dry out quicker when cooking. So you may want to add a bit of oil to the pan or mix in some fatty ingredients like cheese or cream when cooking to keep it moist.

Break Down Bulk Packages into Meal Sized Portions

While the cost savings of buying beef in those huge 10-pound chubs is enticing, that much ground beef can be difficult to use up before it goes bad. Even the smaller 3-pound packages Costco sells in the meat case can be too large for some smaller families.

Luckily, there are a few easy ways to break down those big bulk packages into quick-to-use portions:

• Separate into 1-pound portions: Divide a 3-pound or 10-pound chub into one pound bags or packages. Put what you’ll use in the next couple days in the fridge and freeze the rest for later.

• Make meatballs or patties to freeze: Form the ground beef into balls or patties, place on a baking sheet in a single layer and freeze solid. Then transfer to freezer bags or containers, separating layers with parchment paper.

• Cook and freeze in batches: Brown several pounds of ground beef at once, then divide into meal sizes to freeze. For example, freeze taco meat, Bolognese sauce or chili in 1 to 2 cup portions.

Properly frozen, ground beef can last 3 to 4 months in the freezer. So even large bulk packs from Costco can be used up well before the meat expires.

Understanding the Costco Ground Beef Sale Schedule

Ground beef frequently goes on sale at Costco, making the warehouse club’s everyday low prices even better. In general, Costco offers monthly rotating sales on beef and other meat products.

You can expect to find the best Costco ground beef deals and markdowns during these sale periods:

• January/Beginning of the year
• Early March
• May
• July/Summer season
• September
• Late October through November
• December/End of the year holidays

While ground beef prices may be discounted at random other times, planning your restocking trips around these major sales ensures you’ll catch the lowest prices.

Combining a sale price with an even lower cost bulk ground beef chub is a great way maximize savings at Costco. You may be able to stock your freezer with ground beef at under $3 per pound during these promotional periods.

Price Comparing With Other Grocery Stores

To make sure you’re getting the best deal, it helps to compare Costco’s prices on ground beef to other local supermarkets.

Here are some average per pound prices on 85% lean ground beef at popular grocery chains:

• Kroger: $4.49 to $4.99 per pound
• Safeway: $4.29 to $4.79 per pound
• Albertsons: $3.99 to $4.49 per pound
• Publix: $3.99 to $4.49 per pound
• WinCo: $3.68 to $3.99 per pound
• Aldi: $3.29 to $3.79 per pound
• Sam’s Club: $3.28 to $3.78 per pound (with membership)

As you can see, Walmart-owned Sam’s Club tends to have slightly lower everyday pricing than Costco. But Costco’s prices are very competitive overall. And during big sales events, their deals can beat most other stores.

Checking your grocery store ad circulars and comparing rates can ensure you get the best deal. But for most households, Costco remains a reliable go-to source for affordable ground beef.

Buying Guide for Costco Ground Beef

Keep these tips in mind to help choose the best ground beef options during your next Costco run:

• Check sell-by dates: For freshest meat, look for packages with sell-by dates at least a week out. This allows more time to freeze and use up the beef.

• Know your fat ratio needs: Fattier blends like 85% lean are best for burgers and meatloaf. Save leaner 90%+ beef for dishes where grease is a concern, like tacos.

• Estimate portions: Calculate how many meals or pounds your household will realistically use before the beef expires. Buying too much leads to waste.

• Prep and freeze promptly: Divide into meal sizes and freeze bulk packages as soon as possible to maximize freshness.

• Use chubs for max savings: Ask the butcher for ground beef chubs to get the best price on extra lean meat.

• Shop sale periods: Mark your calendar for Costco beef sales to stock up at the lowest prices.

Ground Turkey As a Budget-Friendly Alternative

If you’re looking to lower the fat or calories in your ground meat recipes, consider substituting lean ground turkey in some dishes.

Ground turkey tends to cost a bit less than beef at Costco. Prices typically run $2.99 to $3.49 per pound. So turkey can save you around $1 per pound compared to fattier 85% lean ground beef from Costco.

The leanness of ground turkey also allows it to substitute evenly for 90% or 93% lean ground beef in recipes. Just be aware the turkey flavor will come through more strongly. Combining the two meats works well too.

For the health and budget conscious, ground turkey can be a tasty alternative to beef that fits well into a Costco shopping plan.

Sample Ground Beef Meals and Recipes

Ground beef purchased from Costco can be used in all types of quick, budget-friendly dinners. Here are just a few meal ideas:

Spaghetti Bolognese: Brown 1-2 pounds ground beef with onions, garlic, and Italian seasoning. Toss with tomato sauce and pasta. Top with Parmesan.

Burgers: Form beef into patties and grill, broil, or pan fry. Serve on buns with favorite burger toppings and sides.

Beef tacos: Brown 1 pound ground beef with taco seasoning. Serve in tortillas or taco shells with lettuce, cheese, salsa and more.

Meatloaf: Mix 1.5 pounds ground beef with bread crumbs, egg, and any vegetables or seasonings. Form into a loaf and bake.

Chili: Cook up browned ground beef, peppers, onions, diced tomatoes, beans, and chili seasoning for easy chili.

Cabbage rolls: Fill cabbage leaves with a mix of cooked ground beef, rice, tomatoes and seasonings. Roll up and bake.

Shepherd’s pie: Fill a baking dish with ground beef, vegetables, and gravy. Top with mashed potatoes and bake until hot and bubbly.

Sloppy Joes: Simmer browned ground beef in a sauce of ketchup, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, vinegar, and spices. Pile onto buns.

The versatile flavor and meaty texture of ground beef makes it useful in all types of comforting meals. A bulk pack from Costco can fuel family dinners for weeks.

Is Costco’s Kirkland Signature Ground Beef A Good Buy?

Costco sells their popular Kirkland Signature house brand of ground beef. It comes in the same lean/fat ratio options and package sizes as the regular ground beef.

But Kirkland ground beef is typically priced 10% to 15% cheaper than the non-branded beef options. For example, Kirkland 85% lean ground beef may cost $3.29 per pound versus $3.79 for non-branded.

All Kirkland branded products at Costco are sourced from major manufacturers and held to high quality standards. The only difference from name brand items is the labeling.

So Kirkland ground beef offers comparable quality to non-branded beef, making it a smart budget buy for most households. The same freezing and cooking tips apply to maximize savings and freshness.

Is Ground Beef Worth Buying at Costco?

For most shoppers, Costco can be a worthwhile place to buy ground beef and other meat products. Here are some of the benefits of purchasing ground beef from Costco:

• Lower prices compared to many grocery stores
• High-quality beef options including USDA choice cuts
• Bulk packaging allows buying multiple pounds at sale prices
• Ability to purchase extra lean chubs at an even lower cost
• Kirkland brand ground beef provides discount quality
• Wide selection of fat ratios, portion sizes, and product types
• Regular sales knock prices down even further

The only downsides are the need for a paid Costco membership and the large package sizes. But neither of these factors outweigh the potential savings.

Overall, Costco remains a top destination for finding affordable deals on bulk packages of fresh, high-quality ground beef. Following the tips above can help you buy exactly what you need at the best available price.