Were not entirely sure what to make of Walmart in 2022. Named the best-selling retail company in the U.S. in 2021, according to the National Retail Federation, the international conglomerate absolutely dominates its competition, more than doubling the total sales of the next highest-selling company. Frankly, its a challenge remembering a time before the utter ubiquity of the Sam Walton-founded chain, which has had stores open and operating in all 50 states since 1995.
Of course, while Walmarts weathered an understandable (and somewhat well-deserved) reputation for poor customer service in recent years, the appeal of its dirt cheap prices still holds an allure like little else. Many of us are willing to overlook any number of potentially disqualifying factors to save a buck or two in this bargain-obsessed culture, like the fact that an almost inconceivably low price is often indicative of incredibly low quality.
What this means is that, for every category of food at Walmart, including meat, there are certain foods you can be more comfortable purchasing — and others you absolutely should not. So if youre on the lookout for potential protein purchases from the countrys top big box grocery, peruse our guide beforehand and discover which meats you should buy from Walmart, and which you shouldnt.
Buy: frozen sausage patties
This revelation may not cause your jaw to drop to the floor, but were big fast food fans around here. Of course, were also quick to try and save a buck whenever possible, so its nice to know at least one Great Value product — the frozen Fully Cooked Pork Sausage Patties – is akin to a fast food item. Given that fans of this product describe it as comparable to McDonalds sausage patties, were keen to recommend it to you (via Reddit). Because if a store-bought item can help reduce the number of morning trips to Mickey Ds, thats probably not a bad thing.
Its not simply that the Great Value pork sausage patties are similarly sized to the ones used by the fast food chain on its Sausage McMuffin. In fact, according to one customer review on the Walmart website, they are downright “bombdiggity … [and] taste better than McDonalds.” Additionally, some claim the sausages are actually larger than other sausage patties for sale, with one comment from Reddit noting they are “literally twice the size of the name brand.”
If youre ever feeling inclined to make your own homemade breakfast sandwiches, the availability of quality and affordable ingredients makes the whole endeavor worthwhile. In other words, the next time youre looking for the perfect breakfast meat to combine with a fried egg and cheese, we encourage you to grab a bag of pork sausage patties from Walmart.
Don’t buy: raw pork
Given the dominance of processed and pre-cooked meats we recommend from Walmart, you may have inferred that the majority of meat you shouldnt buy from the store consists of uncooked items. While part of the problem with Walmarts raw meat products is the lack of on-site butchers, when it comes to pork specifically, there are other issues at play. Mainly, that at least one farm that previously supplied pork to Walmart has been accused of animal cruelty in the past (via HuffPost).
To be fair, when video of the pigs mistreatment went public in 2013, Tyson Foods, the meat supplier for Walmart at the time, ended business with the farm in question. Yet that isnt the only questionable situation we uncovered when it comes to Walmarts relationship with pork producers. Theres also the fact that, according to Grist, Walmarts profit share from pork sales increased 16 cents between 1990 and 2009, while the corresponding share for pig farmers dropped 20 cents over the same period.
Frankly, since Walmarts bottom line appears to trump any other considerations for pork sales — even the well-being of its pork suppliers — we cant in good conscience suggest buying raw pork from the store.
Never Buy Ground Beef At Wal-Mart And Here’s Why
FAQ
Where does Walmart get their meat from?
Who makes Walmart meat?
What is the best quality of meat you can buy?
What grade is meat from grocery store?
What is the best meat to buy from Walmart?
With this in mind, we weren’t shocked to discover one of the best meats to purchase from Walmart is its canned tuna. In particular, the Great Value Chunk Light Tuna in Water variety appears to be a solid crowd pleaser.
What type of meat is good for bones?
However, the type of meat that is best for the bones depends on the cooking method and cut of the meat. Lean meats such as chicken and fish are good options for bone health. Additionally, lean red meats such as beef and pork can also be beneficial for bones if cooked using healthy methods such as grilling or roasting.
How do you know if Walmart meat is good?
Forgetting to inspect packs – Take a few extra seconds to look over and sniff test meat before purchasing. Letting it linger in the fridge – Cook Walmart meat within 1-2 days for safety and quality. Don‘t let it sit too long. Walmart isn‘t exactly known for its stellar meat counter.
Should you buy meat for dinner at Walmart?
So if you need to buy meat for tonight’s dinner, don’t wait until lunchtime to head to Walmart. Even if it’s not for tonight’s dinner, you can still buy some meat in the morning to freeze for later. But keep in mind that you might end up making an unwanted sacrifice in return.