Throwing steak on the grill, cracking a cold one and chatting with friends in the sun is a fantastic way to spend time in the summer.
Unfortunately, it is also a mighty pricey way to spend your time, if you are the person hosting. Let’s put some thought into how to host a summer BBQ on a budget, a budget that doesn’t bust the bank!
First up, the steak has got to go.
While often delicious, unless you are the local butcher, it is expensive! Think about how many people will be coming, so you can plan in advance, and go from there. While BBQs can be about the food, mostly they are about the company. You can whip up a delicious menu, that is customizable to the attendees, while focusing on less costly ingredients.
An Affordable BBQ Menu
Corn Salad
Hot Dogs
Potato Salad
Watermelon
BYOB
The Reasoning
Corn salad is an extremely affordable thing to make, that ensures some vegetables (okay, grains) make it onto the menu. There are LOTS of recipes available on Pinterest.
If you are a method-only person, buy some frozen corn, a can of black or pinto beans, one red pepper and some hot sauce. Dice the pepper, rinse the beans, mix everything together, and add a few spices and some olive oil. Voila. Affordable, protein-filled salad. The longer you leave it in the fridge, the better it will taste.
Hot Dogs are cheap!
Hamburgers are usually begging for cheese, which is a relatively expensive ingredient, but hot dogs are pretty normal without cheese.
You can get nicer quality dogs, if you want, or you can stick to the cheapo ones. Adults only have them rarely, so they are kind of like a treat, now. Have two or three mustards, and your standard ketchup, relish, and some mayo.
If you want to be fancy, get some of the Japadog toppings. Again things don’t have to be expensive!
You can put out pizza sauce and a bit of grated cheese and it will keep lots of folks well-pleased with the spread. If you want to make your own burgers from ground beef, they can be delicious and cheap, too. However, the toppings are more expensive than those on hot dogs, so keep that in mind.
Potato salad is a more time-intensive thing (I’m suggesting that you make it, not that you buy it for a million dollars at the store). A tiny bit of onion, some celery, and a boatload of mayonnaise and spices will give you a summertime staple, affordable food, that will fill up your guests. If potato salad isn’t your thing, you can swap in pasta salad, too.
Dessert
Watermelon is your dessert and relatively speaking, it is affordable. It’s messy, though. My coworker says that freezies are always fun, and cheap. Sugar water for everyone!
Drinks
BYOB is clearly the most important part of the list… that’s the part that will cost you the most. Just tell your friends that it’s BYOB. The end.
Of note, I didn’t put any chips on the list. You can add them, they’re cheap, but the menu is a lot healthier without them!
Pro tips from my van-mates: Make sure you have all the detail stuff you need, like paper plates, copious amounts of ice, large garbage bags and utensils. Doing dishes for 30 people can suck, and so can having nowhere to throw out or recycle disposables.
This is just one example of an affordable BBQ menu, there are lots and lots of variations.
What are your suggestions for how to host a summer BBQ on a budget?
One summer I hosted a BBQ party and saved a lot by telling everyone that it’s a potluck BBQ. All drinks are on you though. And yes, there were leftovers!
Thea @ Monster Piggy Bank recently posted…6 Tips for reading through contracts and the fine print
Potlucks are awesome! In fact, I have to plan one for work soon. mmmmmm.
I always find that grilled pineapple (from the can) always goes down a treat!
I echo what Alicia wrote, Costco and buying meat and other BBQ staples is key.
There are also some big food wholesalers in my area that I use when I’m throwing a big party.
Mr Ikonz @ Project Ikonz recently posted…A packet of Lifesavers costs $20
Grilled pineapple sounds so yummy right now, I should have some for breakfast!
I found that burgers are pretty affordable if you are willing to make the patties yourself (or find pre-made ones on sale). Watermelon is super economical, and asking everyone to bring a salad can save a ton!
Daisy @ Prairie Eco Thrifter recently posted…How Healthy Do You Eat? Take These Steps to Improve Your Diet
Making them yourself also means that they taste way better than the cheap frozen ones!
I agree steak can be much too pricey if you’re planning a BBQ for friends and family. I usually stick to sausages and burgers only to keep the cost down, along with a ton of different salads! Great menu!
Mmmm, I love a good selection of salads! Budget-wise, steaks have to be reserved for very small groups!
My wife can’t have beef or pork without getting migraines from the preservatives, so we get Turkey dogs. They are a bit more expensive but actually taste a lot better and are better for you.
DC @ Young Adult Money recently posted…4 Reasons NOT to Quit your Job to Start a Business
Those sound better anyway. We’re actually cooking turkey sausages as I type this!
Sometimes I say it’s a potluck BBQ. Everyone brings a bit of something. I just have to provide the space, gas and my portion of the food. 🙂
The Asian Pear recently posted…Networth: It’s Not Just About the Numbers
I’d come to that at your place!
Would it be too weird to throw a BYOS (steak) BBQ? Could make it fun with different marinades and some I and of competition. I think I’m crossing the line of too frugal, though.
We usually have hot dogs and hamburgers and get the cheapest American cheese we can find. Popsicles and watermelon for all!
Femme @ femmefrugality recently posted…Is It Wrong to Spy on My Fiance?
I apologize for my typos. Phone commenting…grrr…
Femme @ femmefrugality recently posted…Is It Wrong to Spy on My Fiance?
Naw, my friends have BYO meat BBQs all the time! Competitions definitely step it up, too.
If you’re having a decent-sized BBQ, Costco is where it’s at. When I was in university, I was the fundraising head of a society, as well as the treasurer, and so I had it broken down to the cost of every item and how much we made off each one. We could sell those 1/4 lb hot dogs with good buns plus (sliced) cheese and still make a profit at $1.50…
Alicia @ Financial Diffraction recently posted…Murphy’s Law: The Emergency Fund.
🙂 That’s exactly how I plan things, too 🙂 That’s a pretty good price for a solid hot dog. The street meat vendors charged $5 at my grad school!