Nice to Meat You: Morgan’s Meat Market

Every morning when Dean Morgan walks through the doors of his meat shop he asks himself, “what am I going to learn today?”

It seems hard to learn something new every day after an illustrious career spanning 37 years, of which 19 he’s spent as the co-owner of Morgan’s Meat Market along with his wife Barb, and two as the President of the Minnesota Association of Meat Processors. Yet, according to Dean, there’s always going to be new things to learn.

“My teacher always said learn one new thing every day,” says Dean. “If you didn’t learn anything that day, it wasn’t a good day.”

Located in the small town of Waseca, this Minnesota meat market is a staple in the community. Morgan’s Meat Market houses over 150 award winning products like their summer sausage which just won Best of Show at the 2022 Minnesota Association of Meat Processor’s Banquet. Or their smoked pork and jerky which also placed at this year’s convention along with many other of their products.

The Morgan’s Meat Market team at the 2022 MAMP Meat Convention.

To list out every award this market has won would take up an entire page. However, if one really wanted to know, all they’d have to do is visit their shop. Each award they’ve ever received hangs proudly on the left side wall of their shop, showcasing the work they do.

Their wide range of products from chicken to ground beef have everything locals crave and their explosive flavors are unlike any other with their spices and marinates made from scratch. 

“If it doesn’t sell or move fast enough for us,” says Dean. “It gets pulled out and something new gets put in.”

So, you know the products they keep in stock are crowd pleasers.

At Morgan’s Meat Market, they do it all from cutting the meat, to seasoning it, to hanging it on the rack in their smoke house. This state of the art facility ensures their products are processed at the perfect temperature and creates the consistent signature taste customers love every time.

“The front of the store is for the customers and the back is where the magic happens,” jokes Dean.

Born and raised on a livestock farm, Dean was no stranger to the world of agriculture. However, it wasn’t until his local butcher Bob Lau came to the farm to butcher a pig the summer Dean graduated from high school that he discovered his calling. Dean observed Lau’s work and was immediately fascinated by his craftmanship.

Dean’s curiosity is what got him started in the meat industry, it’s what has fueled his success, and it’s what he hopes to pass onto his employees, like Chris Devetter.

“Dean’s taught me a lot,” says Chris. “Butchering is a skill that not many people know of and it’s going to continue to dwindle unless you teach the next generation. Being able to learn from someone who’s done this for so many years is one of my favorite things.”

As a former meat department manager at a large chain grocery store, Chris knows first-hand the difference between shopping local and big box stores.

“There’s a lot more attention to detail when it comes to the products we put in the case,” says Chris. “Cutting the cases is one of my favorite things to do because we can just make it look beautiful. I like to come around front and take a look at it and see what the customers are going to see.”

The difference is something you can taste as well as see.

“I’m not looking for the cheapest way to put meat in a bundle,” says Dean. “I’m looking to put the best quality of meat. I don’t cut corners on making sausage or beef, and I think people are going to notice that when they bite into it.”

Known for more than just their quality products, Morgan’s Meat Market has a reputation for customer service that’s as great as their meat. No one knows this better than Eileen Morgan, Dean’s mother, who receives what he charmingly refers to as “the deal of the day” whenever she stops in.

“She’s on a no pay system,” says Dean. “I figured for everything she’s given us for our whole lives, it’s time to pay her back.”

The friendly atmosphere in the shop stems from it being a family operated business with Barb behind the counter welcoming customers in with a smile and ringing them up with her warm demeaner.

While Dean’s favorite aspect of running their business changes day to day, one thing that is constant is the joy he receives from interacting with customers.

“It’s really good having customers come in and see how satisfied they are with the product you’re making, and letting you know you’re doing a good job and that they appreciate all the hard work that we do here,” says Dean. “People come in and ask, ‘what should I cook for dinner tonight’ and we can throw some great ideas out there.”

“And what’s even better is some customers will give me ideas so I can go home and figure out what’s for dinner,” adds Chris.

Dean believes everyone deserves to eat the best meat, which is why he’s excited for Morgan’s Meat Market to partner with The Meatery and share their products with people beyond his hometown community.

“For me it’s proving that we can make a better product than these large manufacturing plants,” says Dean. “And show them that this little store in Waseca, Minnesota can give you the highest quality of fresh meat, the best sausage you’re going to eat, and the best jerky you’re going to take out to the deer stand or while you’re fishing.”

As the sun begins to set and the end of the day approaches, one can’t help but wonder what Dean learned today. Here’s hoping he had a good day.