Are you looking for an alternative to chuck steak? Sometimes, your favorite cuts of beef come with a hefty price tag. Beef chuck roast has a delicious flavor and is perfect for smoking, but it can often be expensive.
Depending on what you’re cooking, there are plenty of cheaper substitutes for chuck roast. We’ve put together some of the best bargain cuts of meat you can buy.
Table of contents
Bottom Round Roast
The bottom round roast, or rump roast, is perfect for slow-cooking dishes like stews. It can be made nice and tender, and the slower cooking time allows all the connective tissue to break down.
Recipe for: Bottom Round Roast
Chuck Arm Steak
Chuck arm steak comes from the bottom half of the beef chuck steak. It’s full of connective tissue and very similar to a chuck roast. I would recommend slow cooking or smoking this cut.
Top Round Roast
Top round roast is a fantastic slow cooker pot roast. It’s a very lean cut of meat; however, you can tenderize it a few different ways. I like to season it with kosher salt and allow it to rest in the refrigerator overnight or for at least 6 -8 hours.
This is an affordable cut of meat and a great substitute for tri-tip as well.
Recipe for: Top Round Roast
Top Round Steak
Top round steak is also known as the London Broil. It’s a thick cut of meat and can be slow-cooked or broiled. This cheap roast is one of the most inexpensive alternatives for chuck roast.
Recipe for: Top Round Steak
Sirloin Tip Steak
Sirloin steak tip is a good alternative to chuck roast. It can sometimes be more expensive than chuck roast, but it is a fantastic alternative if you purchase it on special.
This cut is often confused with top sirloin steak, which comes from the sirloin primal cut, whereas sirloin tip steak comes from the round primal cut. It is tough, lean, and full of beefy flavor, so it needs to be cooked hot and fast.
Recipe for: SirloinTip Steak
Flat Iron Steak
Flat iron steak comes from the chuck roast, so this is a good option if you’re after a cut with a similar flavor. It is better to cook the flat iron steak hot and fast, whereas you normally cook a chuck roast low and slow.
Recipe for: Flat Iron Steak
Eye Of Round Steak
This is a lean and boneless cut of meat from the round primal cut in the animal’s rump. To get the most out of your meat, always marinate the eye of round steak, then use it as you would a chuck roast, braised, or in a stew.
Recipe for: Grilled Eye of Round Steak
Top Blade Steak or Oyster Blade Steak
Top-blade steak, also known as oyster blade, has an incredibly tender texture, making it a delicious cut of meat. It can be cooked using plenty of methods, such as grilling, roasting, or broiling in the oven, making it a good substitute for chuck roast.
Recipe for: Grilled Oyster Blade Steak
Tri-Tip Roast
It’s cheap, has a great beef flavor, and is a good alternative to chuck roast and brisket. Tri-tip roast is very lean and has less than 10 grams of fat per serving, so it’s a good alternative and healthier.
The best way to cook your tri-tip is to smoke it like a chuck roast.
Recipe for: Smoked tri-tip .
Brisket Point
The brisket point is one of the two muscles of the packer beef brisket. It’s smaller, thicker, and has more connective tissue and marbling than the chuck roast. Like the chuck roast, it’s best cooked low and slow, whether that is smoking or braising.
Corned Beef
This isn’t an alternative, but it is a good choice if you want a cut full of flavor. Corned beef is a cut that’s been cured or pickled over some time. Have you ever tried smoked corned beef? It’s delicious!
Finding a cheaper alternative to chuck roast doesn’t have to be difficult. There are plenty of options out there that you can find in your local grocery store. Ultimately, it will depend upon your recipe and cooking process to determine which substitute is best.
Smoke On!
Charlie
Hi, I’m Charlie, I have been meat-smoking and grilling for the past 15 years. I have an array of different smokers, thermometers, and have a love for finding the right wood and charcoal combo My favourite recipes are my EXTRA CRISPY smoked pork belly, juicy pulled pork, smoked brisket, duck poppers, and ANY SEAFOOD I grill).
I loves sharing his tips with beginners, helping them navigate the world of smoking. I find it’s not just about cooking; it’s a quest for that perfect smoky flavor.
You will usually find me playing with the kids, perfecting my brisket bark, or sipping beers with boys around the fire. Can’t wait to share all my delicious smoking and grilling recipes with you!
You can read more about me on our About Us page.
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