When it's time to buy meat, going to a butcher gives you a different experience from grocery store shopping. Your butcher shop contains a treasure trove of food preparation ideas and high-quality products, and it offers excellent customer service. These tips may help you get the most out of your food budget when shopping for meat.

3 Ways to Benefit From Going to a Butcher for Meat

1. Treat the Butcher as a Consultant

Unlike many supermarket meat departments, local butcher shop owners know crucial details about the products they sell. If you show an interest in their expertise, butchers provide valuable information, such as whether an animal was fed grass or grain, which makes differences in the product's fat content, calories, and flavor. Your butcher will suggest the best cuts for meals and events you are planning, like using beef shanks and knucklebones for homemade soup.

2. Expect Fresher Taste

At many supermarkets, the meat is prepackaged. Butcher shops cut the meat on the premises so that you get a fresher taste, even from inexpensive cuts. You can request custom-cut items, such as chops or steaks, or order unique blends of ground meats for sausages.

3. Share Your Budget

Telling your butcher what your food preparation or serving plans are and how much you can spend helps stretch your food budget. Butchers know which cuts work well for a large sit-down dinner or an intimate meal for two. Being frank can lead to learning of other options and improving on your original ideas, such as saving money by combining steaks and a mixed tray of grilled items to serve at a family gathering.

Whether you want your favorite cut of meat or advice on trying something new, visit ​Hammann's Catering, Butcher Shop & Deli in Cincinnati, OH. For 50 years, this family butcher and catering company has provided high-quality meats and cheeses throughout the Tri-State area, serving residents of Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana. Cruise through their virtual shop and review customer testimonials on their website. For more about their services or to place an order, call (513) 858-3237.