Gearing up for grilling season-on a budget? Check out these delicious yet affordable cookout recipes for stretching a buck (without sacrificing flavor).
Steamy Kitchen
Upgrade Your Steak
Who knew that even the cheapest cuts of beef could be tender? The trick: salting your meat beforehand. This tenderizes the meat and seals in flavor, allowing you to avoid coughing up extra cash for prime cuts.
Who knew pizza did so well on the grill? This easily customizable pizza base is affordable and can be customized with whatever toppings you have on hand-no extra trips to the grocery store required!
Don't let this cut fool you-it tastes every bit as good as a ribeye, especially when prepared well and served with some delicious sides. Plus, it's much cheaper than its highbrow counterparts.
Pork chops tend to be less expensive than other cuts of meat, and taste just as delicious with an easy homemade marinade. Dress them up with grilled fruit, and you've got a heck of a bang for your buck.
Stretch your protein budget even farther by using stew meat for a round of colorful kebabs. The addition of pineapple, peppers and onions turns it into a full, balanced meal on a stick.
There are a few great things about tilapia: it tends to be cheaper than other fish filets, and it absorbs just about any flavor you put on it. Think along the lines of whatever seasonings you have on-hand, or whatever garnishes happen to be cheapest at the market. Perfect for a budget-friendly barbecue!
Another great way to save on grilling? Skip the meat altogether! Here, cauliflower "steaks" are seasoned well with lime and spices, then charred on the grill to perfection, making for cheap, easy, and really, really good eating.
Don't forget the apps! Guests need something to nibble on while you hang by the grill, after all. This Fontina cheese dip is nothing short of addictive. For about $2 per serving plus the cost of crusty bread or tortillas chips, you'll keep everyone satisfied until dinner's on the table.
Don't spend money on sides at the deli when it's so easy to make your own! This recipe employs super-economical, super filling beans and calls for only a few additional ingredients.
To make that grocery budget work even harder for you, take your standard corn on the cob up a notch with just a few simple upgrades. Fresh corn is usually inexpensive during the summer and fall, so take advantage of the seasonal savings!
These stunning (and super easy) skewers are sure to be a quick backyard favorite. They're easy to assemble, and the ingredients go a long way. The perfect way to round out your budget-friendly barbecue.