The smartest way to shop if you’re looking to pinch pennies is often with a menu and a list of specific ingredients in mind before you head to the store.

But for flexible home cooks who don’t mind changing course on a dime, there’s a lot of value in taking advantage of something you unexpectedly happen upon that’s on super sale.

I had planned on making some sort of pasta dish when I set out for my local grocery earlier this week, since there’s so many things you can do with a box of spaghetti or bag of penne — especially when local vegetables are still in season. Then, a red “sale” sticker caught my eye in the meat department and, being a thrifty shopper, I reconsidered.

I don’t eat a lot of meat in general, and when I do, it’s almost always chicken (preferably thighs) or ground beef o

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