Purchasing "sub-primals"—large, uncut pieces of meat—is the single most effective way to save at retail.
Buying a "quarter," "half," or "whole" cow directly from a rancher eliminates middlemen and offers the lowest long-term price per pound.
: Buying a whole strip loin or ribeye roast and slicing it yourself can save up to $2 per pound compared to pre-cut steaks. At Costco , look for prices ending in .97 (clearance) or .00 (manager markdowns) for maximum savings.