From chicken to steak, these 7 grocery meats are seeing surprising price hikes
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The grocery store meat aisle is starting to feel more like a luxury market than a family staple. Prices that once seemed high are now the norm, and shoppers across the country are taking notice.
What used to be a splurge for special occasions has turned into an impossible weekly expense for many families.
The question now is how much higher these prices can go before shoppers finally say enough is enough.
1. Ribeye Steak
Once a prime choice for weekend grilling, ribeye steak has now reached jaw-dropping levels in many grocery stores.
Some shoppers report seeing prices as high as $32.99 per pound, while others consider themselves lucky to find it on sale for $17.99.
“At our local grocery in Ocala Florida, they had them on sale. $17.99lb, normally $26.99lb. Smh, we got top sirloin instead,” one shopper said.
Showing just how out of reach premium beef has become. Even for steak lovers, the current prices make ribeye an occasional treat rather than a household staple.
2. Farmed Salmon
Seafood prices haven’t escaped the inflation wave, and salmon is leading the surge. The Directorate of Fisheries in Norway reported fewer fish in the water this year, pushing supply lower while global demand remains strong.
“The report showed fewer fish in the water and that confirmed the view that prices have got to go up,” explained Bertrand Oesterle, StoneX VP of Clearing and Execution Sales.
With salmon prices climbing every month, even those looking for healthy meal alternatives are feeling the squeeze.
3. Chicken Breast
The affordable lean protein that families relied on for decades is no longer as cheap as it once was. “Poultry prices decreased by 0.4 percent from July 2025 to August 2025 but were still 1.7 percent higher in August 2025 than in August 2024,” according to the USDA Economic Research Service.
The agency expects another 1.9% increase through 2025, keeping the pressure on budgets. With chicken being a weekly must-have for many, even small price changes add up quickly at the register.
Also read: Spooky season savings: Where to find this year’s best Halloween meal deals
4. Ground Beef
Ground beef, once the practical alternative to steak, is now climbing right alongside it. This grocery essential has risen by 51% since early 2020, according to producers.
“We’ve kind of hit this perfect storm,” said Brady Blackett, a third-generation Angus cattle rancher in Utah. “There’s healthy competition for the cattle, and there’s not enough of them to fulfill the demand. And so it has driven prices to historic highs.” Families trying to make tacos, meatloaf, or burgers are feeling the pinch with every pound they buy.
5. Chicken Thighs
For years, chicken thighs were considered the thrifty cook’s go-to, but that gap in pricing has nearly disappeared.
“Everything is costing more as we unfortunately have lived through in the past few years,” explained expert Sarah Zhang. “But if you went back something like, you know, 10, 15 years ago, thighs cost almost half as much as a chicken breast.”
“And now they either cost the same or close to the same or just, you know, a little bit more.” With thighs no longer a budget saver, home cooks are finding it harder to shop smartly within their means.
6. Bacon
While eggs have finally settled in price, bacon continues to go in the opposite direction. “It’s just the cost of doing business,” said Jim Eadie, founder and publisher of Swineweb.com.
“With tariffs, wages going up, product supply and demand, the cost to produce a pig… everything combines into that inflation for bacon.”
What was once a breakfast favorite is now a small indulgence, with shoppers paying noticeably more for fewer strips.
Also read: 5 must-have ALDI buys this week—#1 could help you cut winter energy costs
7. Thanksgiving Turkey
Even the star of the holiday table isn’t safe from soaring costs this year. “Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) has had a major impact on the turkey industry, affecting about 18.7 million turkeys and accounting for 10% of all birds affected by the virus since 2022. This includes 2.2 million turkeys affected so far in 2025,” said American Farm Bureau Federation economist Bernt Nelson.
That means many families will see higher prices for both fresh and frozen birds heading into November. What was once an annual feast may now require a bit of financial planning.
Read next:
If your grocery bill has you doing double takes lately, you’re not alone. Rising meat costs are changing the way many families shop and eat, forcing tough choices about what to buy and what to skip. Have you noticed the same price hikes at your local store or found any creative ways to save? Share your experience in the comments—how are you handling today’s meat market prices?
What used to be a splurge for special occasions has turned into an impossible weekly expense for many families.
The question now is how much higher these prices can go before shoppers finally say enough is enough.
1. Ribeye Steak
Once a prime choice for weekend grilling, ribeye steak has now reached jaw-dropping levels in many grocery stores.
Some shoppers report seeing prices as high as $32.99 per pound, while others consider themselves lucky to find it on sale for $17.99.
“At our local grocery in Ocala Florida, they had them on sale. $17.99lb, normally $26.99lb. Smh, we got top sirloin instead,” one shopper said.
Showing just how out of reach premium beef has become. Even for steak lovers, the current prices make ribeye an occasional treat rather than a household staple.
2. Farmed Salmon
Seafood prices haven’t escaped the inflation wave, and salmon is leading the surge. The Directorate of Fisheries in Norway reported fewer fish in the water this year, pushing supply lower while global demand remains strong.
“The report showed fewer fish in the water and that confirmed the view that prices have got to go up,” explained Bertrand Oesterle, StoneX VP of Clearing and Execution Sales.
With salmon prices climbing every month, even those looking for healthy meal alternatives are feeling the squeeze.
3. Chicken Breast
The affordable lean protein that families relied on for decades is no longer as cheap as it once was. “Poultry prices decreased by 0.4 percent from July 2025 to August 2025 but were still 1.7 percent higher in August 2025 than in August 2024,” according to the USDA Economic Research Service.
The agency expects another 1.9% increase through 2025, keeping the pressure on budgets. With chicken being a weekly must-have for many, even small price changes add up quickly at the register.
Also read: Spooky season savings: Where to find this year’s best Halloween meal deals
4. Ground Beef
Ground beef, once the practical alternative to steak, is now climbing right alongside it. This grocery essential has risen by 51% since early 2020, according to producers.
“We’ve kind of hit this perfect storm,” said Brady Blackett, a third-generation Angus cattle rancher in Utah. “There’s healthy competition for the cattle, and there’s not enough of them to fulfill the demand. And so it has driven prices to historic highs.” Families trying to make tacos, meatloaf, or burgers are feeling the pinch with every pound they buy.
5. Chicken Thighs
For years, chicken thighs were considered the thrifty cook’s go-to, but that gap in pricing has nearly disappeared.
“Everything is costing more as we unfortunately have lived through in the past few years,” explained expert Sarah Zhang. “But if you went back something like, you know, 10, 15 years ago, thighs cost almost half as much as a chicken breast.”
“And now they either cost the same or close to the same or just, you know, a little bit more.” With thighs no longer a budget saver, home cooks are finding it harder to shop smartly within their means.
6. Bacon
While eggs have finally settled in price, bacon continues to go in the opposite direction. “It’s just the cost of doing business,” said Jim Eadie, founder and publisher of Swineweb.com.
“With tariffs, wages going up, product supply and demand, the cost to produce a pig… everything combines into that inflation for bacon.”
What was once a breakfast favorite is now a small indulgence, with shoppers paying noticeably more for fewer strips.
Also read: 5 must-have ALDI buys this week—#1 could help you cut winter energy costs
7. Thanksgiving Turkey
Even the star of the holiday table isn’t safe from soaring costs this year. “Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) has had a major impact on the turkey industry, affecting about 18.7 million turkeys and accounting for 10% of all birds affected by the virus since 2022. This includes 2.2 million turkeys affected so far in 2025,” said American Farm Bureau Federation economist Bernt Nelson.
That means many families will see higher prices for both fresh and frozen birds heading into November. What was once an annual feast may now require a bit of financial planning.
Read next:
- 11 Costco staples smart shoppers are grabbing now to save big
- Eat well, spend less: The best restaurants with all-you-can-eat or refill deals
