Elevate Your Grill Game: Where to Purchase Local Meat & Other Grilling Favorites

It’s that time of the year in the Arizona desert—Fourth of July celebrations, summer vacation, endless pool parties, evening gatherings, camping trips in higher elevation, and grill time!

If you’re looking for where to purchase local meat and ways to elevate your grill game this summer, we’ve got you covered. We asked our in-house local food experts, none other than Local First Arizona’s food entrepreneur and food system teams, to share their favorite go-to places and grilling favorites, as well as recommendations on how to cook up a swoon worthy masterpiece.

Scott & Christie from Heartquist Hollow Family Farm.

“If I had to pick just one place, I’d pick two. So, here they are: I love everything Scott and Christie do at Heartquist Hollow Family Farm. They produce the best ground beef I’ve ever tasted hands down. I use their ground beef to make burgers on the grill and top them off with their fresh Cowboy Candy pickled jalapenos—always a winner!

My second spot is Arcadia Meat Market for their fresh sausages that are a hit in our house. You can’t go wrong with their chorizo verde. The fresh green chiles, tomatillos, and cilantro they add to their heritage pork make a truly unique sausage that is perfect for the grill.”

~ Gabe Gardner, Director of Food Entrepreneurship

Kepping alive the traditional old style butcher shoppe at Hobe Meats

“If I’m looking for a special cut of meat, I go see my friends at Hobe Meats. Their bone-in ribeye is at the top of my list for special occasions. Since I often cook only for myself, I usually pick up some high-quality, grass-fed beef from my local Sprouts Farmers Market for grilling.

Before anything goes on the grill or into my trusty cast iron skillet, I give a healthy shake of Turn ‘Em Red Seasonings “Slow Noon” or “Scorching Afternoon.” My latest obsession is their ‘Tuscan Evening” blend of tangy herbs—try it on chicken or shrimp before they hit the grill!”

~ Leslie Kruk, Manager of Food Entrepreneurship

Fishermen direct seafood from Alaskan Pride Seafoods.

“Heartquist Hollow Family Farm is one of my go-to places for sourcing local, quality meat. Scott and Christie (and their three daughters) raise and process on-site all of their own meat (grass-fed/grass-finished) and care for their animals like family. I usually pick up some ground beef or pork products from them at the Saturday Uptown Farmers Market in Phoenix. They also have the tastiest spicy garlic dill pickles, spicy pickled carrots, and fresh, pasture-raised eggs.

For some wild, delicious, and sustainable seafood, I visit Alaskan Pride Seafoods and select from their fresh catch specials of the week.”

~ Danielle Corral, Farmland Preservation Program Manager

The farmers at Downtown Phoenix Farmers Market share the bounty of summer melons and other goodies.

“When I’m looking for some exceptional vegetables to grill or some juicy fruit to snack on during the hot summer days, my go-to spot is the Downtown Phoenix Farmers Market. I don't eat meat, but I stillI love grilling up some homemade veggie burgers this time of year—and, this farmers market is a great spot to pick up all the veggie burger essentials!”

~ Annie Godin, Food Systems Marketing Coordinator

The go-to spot for completing the grocery list: Arizona-based Sprouts

“I don’t cook a lot of meat at home, but when I do I like to get the prepared carne asada at Sprouts Farmers Market. It’s great quality, flavorful, and tender. Sprouts also has good produce for making salsa, and their avocados are better than any other place. That’s all I really need: a good salsa and some guacamole…you just can’t beat homemade carne asada tacos.”

~ Jose Gamiz, Coordinator of Food Entrepreneurship

A local Buckeye rancher that raises all-natural bison.

“For those in the West Valley, Adams Natural Meats in Buckeye is THE PLACE TO GO for grass-fed bison products and cuts (try their spicy bison jerky, too). I usually have a few of their bison steaks in the freezer for the impromptu firing of the grill, which I like to pair up with buttery sauteed mushrooms from Southwest Mushrooms or locally grown produce that I’ve picked up at another West Valley gem: Blue Sky’s Farm Store.

Also, I’d be remiss not to mention the skirt steak from Moon River Beef. This is another favorite of mine, which you can pick up on Saturdays at the Downtown Phoenix Farmers Market and at Uptown Farmers Market. So tasty and perfect for carne asada tacos!”

~ Somlynn Rorie, Senior Manager of Food and Farm Initiatives

“If I’m looking for quality meats, I’m hitting up Underbelly Meat Co. It’s close to home, and they source amazing meats from a bunch of different Arizona ranchers. They even have some solid Arizona wines in-house to pair with whatever you’re making.

Plus, if you’re looking for gluten-full vessels, they carry an assortment of bread options from Nice Buns Bakery. They use heritage and ancient grains from Hayden Flour Mills so it’s a great way to support local food producers from farm to table. Depending on what they have on the rotating menu, you can make a pretty solid sando all from their shop.”

~ Amelia Goe, Senior Manager of Food Entrepreneurship

”I have a couple… Arcadia Meat Market and The Meat Shop have been my go-to for local meats for many years. The pork shoulder from The Meat Shop prepared with Italian seasoning is the BEST (recipe by my dear friend and longtime editor of Edible Phoenix Magazine, Pamela Hamilton, can be found here)!

I love the Hanger Steak from Arcadia Meats pan seared in a cast iron skillet with a yellow squash and shishito pepper relish...summertime food at its best! And, the Porchetta from Arcadia Meats is a must on our Christmas dinner menu!”

~Patty Emmert, Director of Resilient Food Systems