How interesting to note that the lessons I have learned through experiments are beneficial to you. Keeping an open-mind and a little spontaneity, I purchased a package of assorted pork loin chops and posted the results in an article published on June 2, 2011.

Changing the category again, the #7 most visited post on Using Time Wisely comes from the food category. As you feed your family, menu plan, and grocery shop, I hope my experiment will assist you in the choices you make.  Happy planning and enjoy the countdown!

Pork Chops: Experimenting with Pork Loin Assorted Chops

By Tracy on June 2, 2011

In last week’s post on Pork Chops: Slicing a Boneless Pork Loin, I shared that my rock bottom price is $1.99 per pound. When I find this cut of meat at this price, I stock up. The last sale I found was in April, and I purchased a half pork loin which netted about 11 pork chops. Do you think I purchased enough? I thought so, but after 3 or 4 open-faced pork chop sandwich meals, I was out. Having been looking for another sale and finding none, my troops requested more pork chops.

The Experiment:

Since I was not finding a sale and refused to pay full price, I decided to check the price at Sam’s Club. While browsing, I found 10.49 pounds of pork loin assorted chops for $1.98 per pound for a total of $20.77. Since this price was my rock bottom price for pork chops, I chose to purchase this package.

When I unsealed the meat, I immediately noticed the fat and the bones in each one. My eyes bulged. For some reason, I thought I was purchasing boneless pork chops and was shocked to find bones. Oh well, I have bones. Here is my pictorial tutorial for getting boneless pork chops from a pork loin.

1. Place the meat on a cutting board and find the bones by feeling the pork.

2. Cut away the meat from the bones.

3. Stack boneless pork into meal-sized piles.

4. Wrap pork in plastic wrap or place in zipper-topped bags.

5. Place in freezer.

My Conclusions:

1. Though both packages were about $1.99 per pound, the pork loin assorted chops is not the same deal as the boneless pork loin.
2. The boneless pork loin half resulted in  3-4 meals for about $10 while the same 3-4 meals with the assorted chops cost $20. Ouch!
3. With the assorted chops, I paid $10 for these bones.
4. The Chicken Fried Chops tasted the same with both cuts of meat.

Overall, this experiment taught me to use my time wisely by waiting for a sale on the boneless pork loins, stocking up, and bypassing a $1.98 per pound sale on pork loin assorted chops. If I run out of boneless pork loins and really need them, I will consider paying full price for the boneless pork loin. Though it is hard to see so much money wasted on the bones, I have learned from this experiment and will be able to bypass this sale without wondering if it is a good deal.

Have you tried any experiments in the kitchen? I’d love to learn along with you.