Ground Beef Prices Are Spiking: 5 Cheaper, Protein-Heavy Alternatives
Written by
John Schmoll
Edited by
Molly Sullivan
Commitment to Our Readers
GOBankingRates' editorial team is committed to bringing you unbiased reviews and information. We use data-driven methodologies to evaluate financial products and services - our reviews and ratings are not influenced by advertisers. You can read more about our editorial guidelines and our products and services review methodology.
20 Years
Helping You Live Richer
Reviewed
by Experts
Trusted by
Millions of Readers
Many Americans are facing sticker shock when purchasing ground beef and other red meat options these days. Ground beef prices are up 13.3% year over year, at a price of $6.31 per pound in August 2025, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Declining cattle production is a leading cause of the rising prices, according to Newsweek.
Red meat is a popular staple in Americans’ diets, making surging prices a budgetary problem for many. With households on ever-tighter budgets, many people are seeking protein-rich alternatives to ground beef in their diets. Here are five, protein-heavy alternatives to red meat that are lighter on the grocery bill.
1. Chicken or Turkey
Poultry, commonly chicken or turkey, is a popular alternative to red meat. Consider ground chicken or turkey, which can easily replace ground beef, and are both leaner with milder taste profiles that adapt to a wider variety of flavors. These versatile meat options can sub for hamburger in meals such as pasta, tacos and more.
Chicken has over 27 grams of protein per 3-ounce serving and costs $1.03 per serving, according to Everyday Health. Buying in bulk, when on sale, and freezing can be a good way to reduce the per-serving price.
2. Tofu
For families wanting a plant-based alternative to ground beef, tofu is a top contender. It can be used in various dishes.
“Tofu is extremely versatile. It can be grated, crumbled, cubed, roasted, air fried or blended. Freezing it, defrosting and squeezing out the moisture (like a sponge) will help give it a ‘meaty’ texture,” said Elisa Bremner, founder of Green Bites and practical plant-based dietitian and media spokesperson for the New York State Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
Tofu is not only versatile, it’s also affordable.
“At $2-$4 for a package containing up to 70 grams of protein (my favorite is Trader Joe’s High Protein Organic Super Firm), it’s a nutritional bargain,” Bremner noted.
3. Canned Tuna
If you want a shelf-stable alternative to ground beef, canned tuna is a good option. Canned light tuna is traditionally fairly lean, plus it is protein-rich.
Canned tuna has at least 20 grams of protein per 3-ounce serving and costs 60 cents per serving. Tuna is a flexible meat option that works for sandwiches, pastas, salads and more.
4. Legumes
Legumes are a powerful red meat replacement that spans foods like lentils, chickpeas and beans. Bremner noted that black beans in particular can be used in many meal plans.
“Legumes like beans and lentils, while not as concentrated a source of protein, are a great addition to any meal plan. You can pay $1-$2 per can or about $3 for a bag of dried beans that will be enough protein for 10 [or more] meals. Better than beef, beans are a longevity superfood,” she said.
You can also supplement meat-heavy meals, like burgers and chili, with black beans to reduce costs.
“They can also be incorporated with small amounts of meat in almost any recipe to improve the health profile and reduce costs,” Bremner said.
5. Edamame
As noted above, beans, peas and lentils are protein-rich, but edamame are remarkable even within this category. A half-cup of these immature soybeans contains over 16 grams of protein per serving (versus 8 grams for most beans and 9 grams for lentils), and costs 63 cents per serving. Even better, edamame can be bought in bulk to save more money, if you have the freezer space and budget.
“In the frozen department, the humble green pea is a protein-rich addition to any meal. A ‘fancier’ choice might be edamame, more expensive but still not near the cost of beef,” Bremner said. While it costs more than a bag of frozen peas, the same volume of edamame doubles the protein to occupy the same footprint in your freezer shelf.
Despite the dramatic increase in the price of red meat, there are affordable options that don’t skimp on protein. Plus, many of the top alternatives are leaner and greener, providing numerous benefits to health, the environment and concerns for animal welfare.
More From GOBankingRates
