As I gathered up a bunch of old newspapers and magazines for the recycle bin I noticed a 50% off sale on Perdue chicken in this week’s Giant circular. I needed to pick up a few staples like bread and milk anyway, so I decided to head over to the grocery store after work. I actually thought the store might be out of chicken. After all 50% off is a really good deal for Perdue. Even with a good sale the price is typically only reduced by a dollar or two. My store just happened to be loaded with chicken. In fact, a butcher was loading the shelves with pounds and pounds of the stuff.
My husband and I eat chicken a lot. Actually, ‘a lot’ is quite the understatement. We rarely eat beef, seafood or pork, so chicken seems to make it’s way into our meals at least three or four nights a week. I couldn’t resist the wall of chicken in front of me. I pulled 15 packages of chicken off of the shelves and into my cart.
When I got to the checkout counter the cashier chuckled, because I had one gallon of milk, one package of white bread and 15 packages of chicken. I told the cashier I actually considered filling the entire cart, but I wasn’t certain how long I could store poultry in the freezer. When I got home, Google told me I could store it for up to 9 months.
I know that I can buy cheaper cuts of poultry or purchase whole fryers or thighs, but I like the taste and convenience of chicken breasts and it’s one place I just won’t skimp. I’ll buy store brands if they are on sale, but even at sale prices I rarely find chicken for $2.50 a pound, which is the price it was tonight.
So here’s the question of the day. Should I return to the store to pick up more chicken while it’s on sale or should I look at the stocked freezer and say enough is enough? I could easily stock up on another 15 packages and have enough chicken to last a couple of months, but I must admit that it feels a bit insane to stock this much. On one hand I don’t want to seem crazy, on the other hand, I don’t want to turn a blind eye to saving nearly 50 bucks!
Yes. Go now, quickly.
if it’s a good deal, the chicken isn’t going to get freezer-burnt, and you don’t need the room in your freezer…why not?
Who cares what everyone else thinks? You are saving money and buying something you will actually use . . .er eat!
I think as long as you can store it, you should! I know I would if I had the freezer space! š
Haha… that’s great! My wife and I love chicken a lot too. š
I am lucky enough to fine half price breasts every 2 months or so, so I avoid that issue, mostly.
If you’ve never done this, I recommend the heavy duty ziplok freezer bags, gallon sized. I put chicken in, and suck the air out with a soda straw. I’ve had chicken or fish last a year that way with no issue, but in general, you want to try not to buy more than 6 months of this kind of perishable. It’s toothpaste and TP I fill the pantry with on a good sale.
That’s hilarious. Yes. Go now! My mom always opens up the packets of chicken and wraps them individually in freezer wrap. That way she takes out only what she wants and ends up saving more.
Another thing to consider is that a freezer that’s full uses less energy than a freezer that’s mostly empty. Go stock up–I agree that you shouldn’t have more than six months’ worth of chicken, but there’s no reason to not stock up!
You all are so cute. I wouldn’t buy a nine month supply of chicken for just my husband and I. Even though Google says it can stay in the freezer that long, I’d still be afraid of severe freezer burn. Not to mention… that’s just way too much chicken to store for just the two of us!
Nevertheless with the frequency of chicken dinners at our house I took your advice and returned to the grocery store this evening.
I found a couple of coupons for Perdue Perfect Portion packages in my coupon cozy so I saved even more money this time around.
Yes! Then buy a handi vac and bags and rebag them so they don’t get freezer burn. And as you store them toss in marinade so they are premarinated. If you can spare the $$ I say take the deal. You won’t regret it unless they go 75% off! haha