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.
Slow Cooker Pork Roast With Apples
Pork loin roast is just $1.86 for boneless cuts, on average, making it the cheapest cut of pork. We love this slow cooker pork roast with apples, which makes use of this typically fairly tough cut of meat by cooking it in the slow cooker for hours with lots of great spices.
2-Ingredient Crock-Pot Barbecued Chicken Legs
We 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
Our 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
This 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
Kids 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.
Slow Cooker Lamb Shoulder
When 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.
Slow Cooker Chicken Quarters With Potatoes & Carrots
This 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.
Slow Cooker Spaghetti Sauce With Ground Beef
We 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
We 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!
Crock-Pot Taco Meat
This recipe for Crock-Pot taco meat is such an incredibly easy one — just set it and forget it, and let the kids put together their own tacos (or taco bowls) as they will. And using ground beef is always a smart idea because it's so much less expensive than any other type of beef!
Slow Cooker Brown Sugar Pork Loin
When it comes to picky eaters, we think this slow cooker brown sugar pork loin is one of the best ways to get kids to eat their dinner. Yes, the brown sugar makes it not the healthiest thing in the world, but it's delicious — and goes so well with a large serving of garlic-roasted broccoli and baked potatoes.
Slow Cooker Cranberry Meatballs
When it comes to throwing an impromptu party and putting out a dish that everyone will love and won't cost a fortune, we're big fans of these slow cooker cranberry meatballs. They're tangy and a little spicy — and also make a budget-friendly dinner!
Crock-Pot Eye of Round With Mushroom & Onion Gravy
Eye of round is the least expensive cut of beef that isn't ground meat. This recipe for Crock-Pot eye of round with mushroom & onion gravy is a winner, and takes a tough, lean cut and makes it falling-apart delicious.
Italian-Style Slow Cooker Pot Roast
Everyone loves a good pot roast recipe, and this Italian-style slow cooker pot roast is absolutely delicious — and makes the most out of eye of round, the second least expensive cut of beef after ground meat.
Honey Butter Garlic Pork Loin Roast
This recipe for honey butter garlic pork loin roast is so incredibly tasty and a smart way to use a pork loin roast — slow cooking is a forgiving method of cooking, and cooking on low heat for hours in this super tasty sauce is a great way to enjoy this cut.
Slow-Cooker Korean Style Barbecue Pork
This slow-cooker Korean style barbecue pork is so delicious and a great way to use an inexpensive cut of meat. It's so good served on top of sticky rice or as part of ramen, or with lettuce wraps or as sandwiches.
Crock-Pot Ribs
Who doesn't love a good rib dinner? These Crock-Pot ribs are absolutely falling-off-the-bone tender, and ribs are usually an inexpensive cut of meat. Serve with garlic mashed potatoes and some roasted vegetables.
Slow Cooker Whole Chicken & Gravy
While chicken legs are the least expensive cut of chicken, an entire chicken is considerably cheaper than buying white meat alone. Check out this recipe for slow cooker whole chicken & gravy, which is classic and delicious.
Slow Cooked Roasted Tandoori Chicken
Want some amazing flavor on a budget? This slow cooked roasted tandoori chicken is the absolute best way. It's incredibly flavorful and also falling-off-the-bone tender, and we love it.
Slow Cooker Flank Steak Fajitas
Flank steak has so much flavor, but it needs to either be marinated for a long time to lose its toughness, or cooked long and slow, as in a slow cooker. This recipe for slow cooker flank steak fajitas is absolutely ideal.
