Cheapest Brisket, Pork Shoulder & Ribs in Austin, TX
Austin has more independent butchers than most US cities — but the price spread between H-E-B, Central Market, Costco, and small shops like Salt & Time or La Michoacana can be $3/lb or more on the same brisket. Board's Austin coverage is still growing; if you're an Austin pitmaster, submit prices you see this week and you'll be seeding the metro.
Prices below are pulled from real submissions by Austin pitmasters. Every entry shows the shop, the cut, the price per pound, and when it was reported. Prices older than 30 days get a stale badge; older than 90 days get archived.
Open BBQ Board — See Live Austin Prices
Austin Shops Tracked This Week
H-E-B (multiple locations)
Choice packer brisket, pork shoulder, ribs · weekly meat market has some of the best sale prices in Texas
Central Market (Westgate, Lamar)
Prime brisket, dry-aged beef, whole rib primals · higher price but competition-grade meat
Costco (North Austin, Round Rock, Cedar Park)
Choice brisket · usually beats H-E-B non-sale price on packers
Salt & Time Butcher Shop
East Austin whole-animal butcher · pasture-raised beef, heritage pork
La Michoacana Meat Markets
Multiple locations · often overlooked, competitive on pork and beef ribs
Sam's Club (183, Round Rock, Bee Cave)
Members Mark packer brisket, pork shoulder, bratwurst
Richardson Farms (farmers markets)
Farm-direct pastured beef and pork · not cheapest but transparency and traceability
Why prices swing week to week
Wholesale beef and pork prices move on packing-plant supply, feed costs, seasonal demand (brisket spikes before Memorial Day, ribs before the 4th, whole turkey in November), and store-level clearance decisions. A brisket at $5.89/lb at Costco on Tuesday can be $7.99 by Saturday if the pallet moves. Board's job is to make the current week's numbers visible before you drive across town.
Which cuts to check for Austin BBQ
- Choice packer brisket — the workhorse for smoked brisket. Look for $5.99–$8.99/lb depending on shop.
- Boston butt / pork shoulder — usually the cheapest smoker cut per pound. $2.49–$4.99/lb range.
- Spare ribs (whole slab) — cheaper than baby backs and better for competition-style. $3.99–$6.99/lb.
- Whole chicken — often on sale under $2/lb; the best low-effort smoker cook for beginners.
- Bratwurst (fresh) — regional specialty in the Upper Midwest; check independent butchers first.
Get Live Austin Prices in the App →
BBQ Board is free to use. Sign in with Google to submit a price so submissions can be attributed. Add a price from your local butcher and help your neighbors find it.