We're guessing you've already fired up the grill for the first time this summer—and that you may have experienced a little sticker shock when shopping for your cookout: Beef prices have spiked to an all-time high this year, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
How high have costs climbed? Last month, ground beef averaged $3.86 a pound, compared to just $2.31 in May 2010. And if you want the extra-lean stuff, you'll have to shell out even more: Lean beef currently weighs in at $5.36 per pound. Sirloin is up to an incredible $7.59 a pound.
Fear not, beef lovers: There are plenty of tasty—and protein-packed—alternatives that won't make as big a dent in your bank account. If beef is a non-negotiable, save your steaks for the weekends and whip up one of these beef alternatives the rest of the time:
Lentils
We know lentils aren't as mouthwatering as a juicy burger—but you can use them to make hearty veggie burgers, rich in protein, fiber, and magnesium. "Lentils have a toothsome, meaty texture," says Katie Cavuto, R.D., president of Healthy Bites Delivery in Philadelphia and dietician for the Phillies. "They fare well in soups, salads, and even meat-free burgers." Generally, lentils' price hovers somewhere around $1—maybe a little more—per pound.
MORE: 8 Homemade Veggie Burger Recipes
Canned Wild Salmon
Stock your cabinets with this inexpensive fish: It's rich in heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids, and the canned kind is an excellent source of calcium, says Cavuto. Her advice: Simply shape it into patties for quick-and-easy salmon cakes or burgers. Although the cost is close to that of beef, you can probably get by with a much smaller amount of salmon since the fish is often mixed with onions and other ingredients.
MORE: The 5 Fish That Are Most Contaminated—And What to Eat Instead
Hummus
You can score an eight-ounce tub of store-brand hummus for only about $2—and that equals an instant side dish (or let's be honest, a main dish) with serious nutritional punch: "Made from pureed chickpeas and tahini, or sesame seed paste, you reap the benefits of the fiber and protein from the legumes as well as the sesame seeds," says Cavuto. It may not taste like meat, but it will certainly satisfy your craving for something hearty.
MORE: 14 Signs You're Obsessed with Hummus
Tofu
Before you meat lovers scoff, consider this: If you opt for organic, extra-firm tofu, you may find that it tastes surprisingly similar to beef, says Cavuto. "It will absorb the flavors of your favorite beef marinades and sauces," she says. "Try barbecue sauce, and grill it up or pan sear it for crispy caramelization."
Ground Turkey
If nothing but real meat will do, this is your best bet: Ground turkey’s texture is similar to that of hamburger meat—but you’ll be paying significantly less. (Poultry prices have risen, too, but not nearly as dramatically as beef prices.) "Opt for lean white-meat varieties, and stretch the meal by using inexpensive grains, beans, or even chopped vegetables, like mushrooms, to add bulk," suggests Cavuto.
MORE: The Best (Tasty!) Burger Toppings for Weight Loss
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