March 01, 2021
As restaurant owners know, cost reduction strategies in restaurants are crucial to trimming excess expenses and preserving high returns. Purchasing wholesale meat and seafood from a reputable food supplier and distributor can keep costs within, or below budgets. Plus, commercial restaurant supply stores stock premium products. Want to learn more about how restaurants can save money without sacrificing quality? Read on for details.
reduce food costs with These Quality Wholesale Foods
Partnering with your local restaurant supply and wholesale food store can save you money on your meat and seafood purchases. You can feel confident that you are getting choice ingredients at competitive prices. To further maximize your meat dollar, we recommend always purchasing these ten kitchen proteins wholesale. They’ll provide you with menu versatility, great price points, and help reduce unnecessary prep labor.
1. Ground Beef
If you are looking to save on labor costs, pre-ground beef is a must. Grinding meat in-house makes sense for some restaurants, like a burger joint, but it adds extra prep time and equipment costs for others. With various fat content, ground beef allows you to make everything from meatballs to shepherd’s pie to hearty stews.
2. Brisket
This inexpensive cut benefits from low-and-slow cooking. There is minimal prep required and chefs can braise or BBQ without having to constantly watch the clock, so labor becomes less of an issue. Some chefs also love to cure it for house made corned beef or pastrami. It doesn’t take much time or labor to make house-cured meats, and restaurant owners can charge more for house-made specialty items.
3. Top Sirloin
Instead of spending more on New York strip or ribeye, turn to top sirloin as your go-to steak option. This cost-effective meat contains less fat, so you’ll need to marinate it and cook it properly to avoid it drying out. It makes for a flavorful skewer or kebab.
4. Whole Chickens
Utilizing the entire bird can help save you on food costs. They tend to be less expensive per pound than pre-portioned cuts. You can also break down the whole chicken and use the bones for a savory stock. Spatchcocking an entire chicken is an easy way to elevate your chicken preparation. It ensures more even cooking, requires less oven time, and is a hot new trend.
5. Ground Turkey
Turkey isn’t just for holiday restaurant menus. Ground turkey makes an excellent substitution for ground beef and the price per pound is very economical. Use it to make healthy burgers, rich Bolognese, hearty chili, and even turkey laap (also referred to as turkey larb).
6. Bone-in Chicken
If you purchase portioned poultry from your bulk restaurant supply store, bone-in thighs and drumsticks will give you the most bang for your buck. Loaded with flavor, dark meat stands up to various preparations, including braised, grilled, roasted, and slow-cooked. This allows you to transform inexpensive ingredients into stellar dishes that can command a higher price point.
7. Pork Chops
Bone-in rib chops are tender, flavorful, and more cost-effective than loin chops. A quick fat trim, and you have a delicious main with limited labor involved.
8. Pork Shoulder
Multi-functional and affordable, pork shoulder can be used for almost anything. Grind it to make breakfast or Italian sausage. Transform it into pulled pork. Chop it for stews, soups, and ragùs.
9. Shrimp
Buying seafood, especially shrimp in bulk, is a smart way to save on costs. Wholesale grocery retailers often act as the middle-person between fisheries and other seafood distributors. This allows them to get fresh products, negotiate fair pricing, and then pass the savings on to you.
10. Frozen Crab
Frozen crab is often better than fresh if your restaurant is inland. It’s frozen right off the boat, at the peak of freshness, so it retains its texture and flavor longer. Buying frozen also allows you to take advantage of lower price points in the office season.
Your Wholesale Food Warehouse and Restaurant Supply Distributor
Exceptional quality at reasonable price points are just two of the many reasons restaurant partners rely on US Foods CHEF'STORE. When you shop at CHEF'STORE, you know you are getting the best products sourced from the top producers, from choice beef to fresh seafood. Visit your nearest CHEF’STORE today to start shopping quality restaurant supplies at competitive prices.