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Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Butcher Norm Nesby Jr. names Whole Foods and Sprouts as the grocery chains where he would buy ground beef. His preference reflects the value of a knowledgeable meat counter—not a nationwide quality test or a guarantee about every location. For shoppers focused on price, a separate July 2026 store-visit comparison found Aldi had the lowest-priced traditional 80/20 among six stores visited.
Which grocery stores does a butcher recommend?
Nesby, a butcher and Good Meat Project member, told The Kitchn that the two chains he would choose are Whole Foods and Sprouts Farmers Market. His stated reasons include formally trained butchers who can discuss meat selection and sourcing, and help explain whether the store grinds beef in-house.
That advice is most useful as a way to choose where to ask questions. It does not establish that every Whole Foods or Sprouts location grinds its own beef, stocks the same products, or offers the same service. Ask the staff at your local counter about the specific package or grind you plan to buy.
What should you ask at the meat counter?
A counter conversation can clarify details that a package label may not spell out. Ask:
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- Does this store grind this beef in-house, or does it arrive already ground?
- Which cuts are in the blend?
- What fat ratio is it, and is it suited to the dish I’m making?
- Can you tell me when it was ground or packed?
- What sourcing details are available for this product?
Answers may vary by product and location. Attributes such as organic, grass-fed, local, or antibiotic-free describe particular production or sourcing claims; the cited recommendations do not establish that any one of them automatically means better taste or safety.
How to choose a package for the dish
Start with the recipe, then compare the fat ratio, cut or blend information, and package date. The chef and butcher Jorge Thomas advises choosing fat for the dish rather than defaulting to the leanest package. In guidance quoted by Eat This, Not That!, he recommends an 80/20 blend as a useful target for burgers. Ground chuck is a versatile choice for burgers and meatballs; leaner sirloin or round may suit dishes with sauce or added moisture.
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- Burgers: Consider 80/20 for a fattier, more suitable burger blend, as in Thomas’s advice.
- Meatballs: A blend with some fat, such as ground chuck, can be a practical option.
- Sauced dishes: Leaner sirloin or round may work well where the recipe supplies moisture.
These are selection suggestions, not a rule that one ratio or cut is best for every recipe. Compare the label and ask the counter staff when the blend is unclear.
Is Aldi a better value for ground beef?
In a The Kitchn comparison published July 24, 2026, Aldi’s traditional 80/20 ground beef cost $5.99 per pound and was the least expensive traditional 80/20 among the six stores visited. The same visit-based comparison recorded Walmart’s 73/27 at $5.94 per pound. Aldi required buying a larger package in that visit, so the lowest per-pound price did not necessarily mean the smallest checkout cost.
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These were observations at particular stores, not current quotes or chain-wide prices. Most visits were in Nashville, Tennessee; the Kroger visit was in Charlotte, North Carolina. Check the price per pound and package size at your own store before comparing.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Other stores to consider
Thomas also suggests Costco for shoppers buying in bulk and names Wegmans as a store with a meat selection worth considering. Those are his recommendations, not results from a store-by-store price or quality test. Costco’s bulk format may suit a shopper who can use or store a larger quantity; local availability and selection vary.
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Quick checklist before you buy
- Choose the fat ratio for your recipe rather than automatically buying the leanest option.
- Check the package date and compare the store’s products on an equal per-pound basis.
- Ask which cuts are in the grind and whether grinding happens in-house.
- Compare total package cost as well as price per pound, especially when package sizes differ.
- Confirm sourcing, selection, and staff answers at your own location; they can differ from one store to another.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
