Grocery Outlet – Elegant Tuna Dinner w/ Glass of Wine for Under $4

#GroceryOutlet Elegant Yellowfin Tuna Dinner WITH a Glass of Wine for Under $4.00 per Person!

Pan Seared Yellowfin Tuna
Brown Rice, Chia, Orzo Blend
Clams and Bacon in a White Wine, Garlic, Butter Broth
Scallions and Parsley

Served with a Glass of Sauvignon Blanc
FOR LESS THAN $4 PER PERSON

Motivated mainly by convenience and quality, rarely do I go out of my way to find a food bargain. Yet I was utterly intrigued by Grocery Outlet’s business model. Their marketing team invited me to attend the recent grand opening of the newest store in Long Beach, California.

There I met operator Jonathan Lawton and his very enthusiastic team of professional people who are seriously in love with their retail concept. They take pride in the products that they have chosen to stock and genuinely care about their new customers with plans to exceed customer expectations on a regular basis.

#GroceryOutlet Elegant Yellowfin Tuna Dinner WITH a Glass of Wine for Under $4.00 per Person!

#GroceryOutlet Elegant Yellowfin Tuna Dinner WITH a Glass of Wine for Under $4.00 per Person!

Giddy to show me some of the greatest bargains of the week, I shopped with manager and wine expert, Mike, who took me on a whirlwind tour from the wine department to frozen fish to fresh produce. As he pointed out some of his favorite values, a recipe began to take shape in my mind.

#GroceryOutlet Elegant Yellowfin Tuna Dinner WITH a Glass of Wine for Under $4.00 per Person!

Tuna, clams, white wine, vegetable stock, butter, a rice blend, herbs….Toward the end of our shopping spree, Mike shared that the managers’ favorite item this week was a certain packaged bacon, so that ended up in the cart as well.

#GroceryOutlet Elegant Yellowfin Tuna Dinner WITH a Glass of Wine for Under $4.00 per Person!

It was crystal clear that the items in my cart were amazing values, but it wasn’t until I got home and started to cost out the meal that I was truly blown away. A fabulous elegant fish dinner, including a glass of wine was going to cost well under $4.00 per person.

#GroceryOutlet Elegant Yellowfin Tuna Dinner WITH a Glass of Wine for Under $4.00 per Person!

This is a very different kind of grocery business. Grocery Outlet Bargain Markets now have 225 locations in 6 states and began as an excess surplus food outlet in San Francisco in 1946. They say they have two types of customers, calling them the “underserved” and “want” customers.

“Underserved” consumers need discounts to live within their means. Grocery Outlet’s discounted pricing helps them stay within their budget by selling fresh foods and staple groceries at very affordable prices. These shoppers find great value in the WOW section of the store where national-branded products are priced at 50% or less than at the traditional retailer. Their low price and happiness ambassador, Lois Prices explains, “Deals so big, they make you say WOW.”

#GroceryOutlet Elegant Yellowfin Tuna Dinner WITH a Glass of Wine for Under $4.00 per Person!

Consumers in the “want” category bargain hunt by choice rather than necessity. They typically come to the stores for the great value experience and the thrill of finding incredible prices on items they normally purchase elsewhere.

“Want” customers especially appreciate the NOSH (natural, organic, speciality, healthy) section where premium items may be discounted up to 80% off what they normally pay at a specialty shop. The wine section is also a favorite of theirs, where a wide variety goes for $3 to $6 per bottle and premium wines typically sell from $7 to $20, at 50% off the retail prices.

#GroceryOutlet Elegant Yellowfin Tuna Dinner WITH a Glass of Wine for Under $4.00 per Person!

All customers benefit from the store’s opportunistic buying strategy, where Grocery Outlet buyers purchase goods from various sources at deep discounts.

One manufacturer might be changing their packaging and need to unload product with old labels. As brands are discontinued; groceries earmarked for export are unable to be shipped; items with a code life that is too short for conventional grocery stores don’t move; as companies go out of business; orders are cancelled; new products are tested; packaging is distressed or a myriad of other reasons why a conventional supermarket cannot sell a product, Grocery Outlet steps in and turns overstock into cash for suppliers and mind-blowing savings for their customers.

A perfect example of the business model is illustrated by products with a picture of Santa Claus on the label, stocked on the Grocery Outlet shelves in February! Grocery Outlet says, “Santa is still awesome in February, and so are the prices on these items.”

#GroceryOutlet Elegant Yellowfin Tuna Dinner WITH a Glass of Wine for Under $4.00 per Person!

Independent store operators ensure that their customers receive the highest quality service. Buying decisions to stock the shelves are made at the individual stores where operators choose products that have high appeal to the local clientele. Their goal is to move product quickly, often discounting products on the shelves even further to boost turnover.

#GroceryOutlet Elegant Yellowfin Tuna Dinner WITH a Glass of Wine for Under $4.00 per Person!

All categories of general merchandise are available in the stores at all times – from produce, to grocery, health & beauty, deli, high-end natural products and organic foods too. The difference here is that not all name brands are available at all times. A customer will be guaranteed to find, say, laundry detergent, but it may be a different brand that what was in stock the prior month – depending on the discounts available to the company’s buyers.

#GroceryOutlet Elegant Yellowfin Tuna Dinner WITH a Glass of Wine for Under $4.00 per Person!

Fully aware that their business model cannot provide every ingredient all the time, Grocery Outlet has the pragmatic motto – “SHOP US FIRST.”  Follow their practical advice and consumers arrive home with the absolute best pricing on all their grocery purchases…if Grocery Outlet is not carrying a specific product needed for a certain recipe, the customer can then stop at a conventional supermarket to pick up that last needed item or two.

Shopping at Grocery Outlet is especially fun for the open-minded creative cook, the one who shows up with a short shopping list of necessities but is also ready to be inspired by any great value or tantalizing product in the aisle for the week’s upcoming meals. This method is similar to the way I usually shop at the farmers market, choosing items that are fresh and available that day for dinner.

Here is my recipe inspired by items that were great values during the grand opening shopping trip to Grocery Outlet in Long Beach last week:

#GroceryOutlet Elegant Yellowfin Tuna Dinner WITH a Glass of Wine for Under $4.00 per Person!

#GroceryOutlet Elegant Yellowfin Tuna Dinner
with
A Glass of Wine for Under $4.00 per Person!

Recipe

Pan Seared Yellowfin Tuna
Brown Rice, Chia, Orzo Blend
Clams and Bacon in a White Wine, Garlic, Butter Broth
Scallions and Parsley

Ingredients:

Passport Foods Wild Red Yellowfin Tuna 1 lb. $6.49  / 1.30 per serving

Bantry Bay Clams 1 lb. $2.99  / .60 per serving

Royal Blend Texmati Light Brown Rice with Chia and Orzo $7.99  / .28 per serving

Olives & Oliviers Extra Virgin Olive Oil 3L $17.99  / .01 per serving

Ejay’s Uncured Bacon Ends and Pieces 2.5 lbs. $4.79  / .18 per serving

Yellow Onion 3 lb. for $0.99  / .02 per serving

Garlic 3 pack for $0.99/ .03 per serving

Indigo Eyes 2013 Sauvignon Blanc $3.99  / 1.20 per serving

Challenge Butter $3.99 lb.  / .10 per serving

Chicken or Vegetable Stock $0.99 32 oz./  .08 per serving

Parsley $0.50 bunch  / .05 per serving

Scallions $0.33 bunch  / .05 per serving

Salt and Pepper and Red Chile Flakes n/a

Method:

Defrost tuna overnight under refrigeration.

Cook brown rice with chia and orzo according to package instructions.

Trim 1/4 lb. of bacon into lardons (thin lean short strips). Cook bacon in a heavy stock pot with 2 teaspoons olive oil over medium heat.  Add 1 medium-small onion finely diced and cook until golden brown, stirring occasionally. Add 4 cloves of minced garlic and cook another minute.

Add 1 1/2 cups each of wine and vegetable broth then turn the heat to high.

Meanwhile, while the liquid is reducing, cook yellowfin tuna. Pat dry with paper towels and season the fillets with salt and pepper. Sauté fish in 2 tablespoons of butter in a cast iron (preferably) skillet over medium heat, turning once until just barely cooked through. Keep tuna warm while finishing the clams.

When the liquid has reduced by a third, add frozen clams. Cover and cook until the clams open, about 2 – 3 minutes. Remove from heat and season with a generous pinch of red chile flakes. Add 2 tablespoons of butter and 2 teaspoons of chopped parsley and gently stir into the broth.

To Serve:

Portion a mound of the rice blend in warm shallow bowls. Place tuna atop the rice. Ladle clams and bacon broth around the edge of the rice. Garnish with chopped parsley and thinly sliced scallions. Enjoy with a glass of chilled sauvignon blanc.

#GroceryOutlet Elegant Yellowfin Tuna Dinner WITH a Glass of Wine for Under $4.00 per Person!

$50 GIVEAWAY $50

Friends who live near or around Long Beach, California (or near any Grocery Outlet in California, Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Nevada, Pennsylvania) have a chance to win $50 gift certificates to shop at Grocery Outlet.

#GroceryOutlet

Please let me know that you are interested in the giveaway and shopping at this unique market by leaving a comment on this blog post. Increase your chances of winning by liking and leaving a comment on Taste With The Eyes Facebook page here. Two winners will be chosen at random on February 29, 2016 and notified by email or Facebook message.

Grocery Outlet Bargain Market
6436 East Spring Street (at Palo Verde Ave.)
Long Beach, California 90815
562-425-5550

UPDATE 3/1/2016

$50 Gift Certificate GIVEAWAY WINNERS

#WOWdeals

Chosen by Random

Congratulations to Muntzi (from Long Beach) and Heather (from Oregon)!

Thanks to all for participating! Happy bargain shopping!

 

(Grocery Outlet provided product, gift certificates, and compensation for this post).

45 thoughts on “Grocery Outlet – Elegant Tuna Dinner w/ Glass of Wine for Under $4”

    1. Hi Linda – maybe you’ll see #GroceryOutlet expand back East, now only in Pennsylvania there. Thanks for your enthusiasm, this dish was a winner for sure 🙂 and so crazy that it came in under $4 WITH WINE 🙂
      LL

  1. I would love to see how far $50 would take me at Grocery Outlet. Please put me in the drawing. Thanks for another terrific post.

  2. Hi Lori!! What a fantastic write up! I honestly would have never thought to give Grocery Outlet a fair chance. (A bit of judging a book by it’s cover I suppose.) I can say that after reading your write up and drooling over your menu, I can’t wait to check it out! Thanks for sharing!

    1. Hello H – thank you. It was really fun to create a ridiculously cheap and simultaneously delicious recipe. I was impressed with the #GroceryOutlet store, very pleasant atmosphere and excellent customer service. A fun place to shop for the creative cook looking for a deal.
      LL

  3. You know I love a bargain!! Would love to go shopping there with you…and if I’m lucky, my $50.00 gift certificate. Really like the up close photos…making me hungry.

  4. I love this store and live less then a mile away!! Would love to support you and the grocery outlet! Please send me $50…thx!!

    1. Hi Mary – oh, lucky you that you live so close to the #GroceryOutlet store. Great discounts but equally great customer service too! Thanks for your comment!
      LL

  5. i would have never thought of pairing a butter-seared tuna steak with clams. i will make this wonderfully yummy-sounding dish as soon as i see what i need at the market. thank you so much for the inspiration!

    1. Hi FoodGeek – I hope you had a chance to try out the yellowfin tuna and clams recipe! Thank you for all your wonderful comments on my site. As always, I appreciate your support and enthusiasm.
      LL

  6. I went into your store for the first time last week! I’m so excited to live so close to this store…Amazed and the deals. Sign me up to win!

  7. Hi Muntz – I’m not the biggest fan of frozen fish, but I was seriously impressed with this tuna. And the price. I would definitely stock my freezer with it!
    LL

    1. Hi Kristy – your husband WOULD love this dish. I’m certain! But that guy might insist on opening a more expensive bottle of wine. Why not, since you saved so much on the food?

  8. Leave it to you to create a delicious meal with a budget. It’ll be worth it to go there just to check out the wine bargains! ……and by the way, I’d take Santa Claus in February any day!

    1. Hi FA – of course…Santa Claus all year long, especially with great bargains! Yay for Santa!
      Create a delicious meal on a budget? Me? Not usually 🙂 but this time it was really fun! I enjoyed the challenge. And the result exceeded our expectations!
      LL

    1. They are growing! So many good wine deals too YAY! Thanks for your input Frank, I think this grocery concept is really interesting. It was so fun to create a dish from their best values of the week.

  9. Thanks for your write up on this outlet, I am so excited to shop and save!! Sign me up, I spend about 300 a week on meals, this outlet will bring that cost down.

  10. I love shopping at grocery outlet, not only do they have amazing prices, but also a lot of niche/unique selections I can’t find elsewhere. With that being said, I recently purchased that same ahi tuna, & was wondering how you went about defrosting! Thanks for any help. That meal looks amazing.

    1. Hi Trevor – I write under the Method section:

      Defrost tuna overnight under refrigeration.

      I hope that helps! Just put the whole package in the refrigerator overnight. Then you can take the tuna out of the wrapper and dry with paper towels. Set aside on a plate at room temperature while prepping other items in case it is still slightly frozen in the middle. After a short time at room temp, it should be ready to cook. Good luck and stay safe!
      LL

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