Even if youre just an occasional carnivore, youve probably noticed that youre paying about 20% more for meat than last year. A price increase that significant can make a big dent in anyones grocery and eating-out budgets, so we talked to food professionals about best bets for protein choices that wont break the bank.

Cheap protein #1: Beans

Theres a good reason for just about everybody to love protein-packed beans , from the budget-conscious to the health-conscious. Not only are they the most economical source of protein, theyre also one of the most nutrient-dense foods for the price, registered dietician nutritionist Sharon Palmer told HuffPost.

Theyre extremely versatile, high in protein and low in negative environmental impact, said chef Katherine Pardue of Hark! Caf , a 100% plant-based and gluten-free restaurant in Minneapolis. Eating on the cheap can be great for your health and the planet.

If you still crave at least some of the taste and texture of meat in your bean-rich meal, use a small amount as flavoring.

My mom made split pea soup with a ham bone or boiled white beans with a side of cornbread once a week or so, and as kids, we had no idea that she was saving a few pennies, chef and cookbook author Robin Asbell said. You can copy her method and use a bone or small hunk of smoked meat to flavor a whole pot of soup.

These bean-loving food experts often have a favorite variety, of course. RDN Jill Nussinow said lentils are one of her top choices. You can even sprout them in water and add them to soups and salads, she said.

RDN Amanda Frankeny is also decidedly pro-lentil. Unlike with other dried beans, you dont have to soak them beforehand. Just rinse them in a colander and simmer for about half an hour.

Federico Tischler , chef and owner of Well Fed in Coral Gables, Florida, loves chickpeas, also known as garbanzo beans. They can make a creamy soup, falafel, hummus, deep fried snacks and more, he said.

Chef Marshall OBrien is another chickpea aficionado. Theyre ridiculously inexpensive and highly versatile, he said. Because of their protein and fiber, they keep blood sugar stable, which positively affects energy level and mood. If you want to get through the day with energy to spare, have some beans and your body will thank you.

Pro prep tips: Dont add acids like citrus or tomatoes until the end of cooking, or it will increase your cooking time, Palmer said.

If youre making chickpeas, you can prepare them in advance and freeze for later, Adam Polisei, corporate chef of Next Level Brands , said.

For the bean connoisseur, brands like Rancho Gordo and Anson Mills have heirloom varieties with stand-out quality, Pardue said. Theyre still well below the price point of comparably boutique meat.

Cheap protein #2: Tofu

You can buy 14 ounces of tofu for less than $3, RDN Amy Gorin said. Its full of plant-based protein, and it picks up the flavor of whatever ingredients you pair it with.

Pro prep tip: I love crispy baked tofu thats soaked in a delicious marinade, Gorin said. You just need a few simple ingredients like sesame oil, soy sauce, and miso.

Another pro tip to make it taste good: Make sure you press it .