Cheap BBQ Ideas: 6 Tips and Recipes for Budget-Friendly Grilling

If you’re looking for ways to save money this summer while still cooking out, these affordable grilling ideas should keep your stomach and your wallet plenty full.

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According to a May 2020 report titled “The Impact of Covid-19 on Outdoor Grilling” from the NPD Group, which is one of the largest market research companies in the world, in the U.S., nearly 50 percent of consumers whose jobs had been affected—or who were being paid less—as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, still planned on cooking outdoors more frequently this summer.

So that those on a tighter budget wouldn’t have to give up the grill, we took a deep dive into what the cheapest food items and meals are to BBQ, according to experts.

We’re bringing back these six tips from nutrition experts that will help you decide what’s worth cooking when money’s tight.

Avoid Super Expensive Cuts of Meat—And Learn Which Substitutes Are Best

If you’re a grilling enthusiast, you probably are well-versed on which cuts of meat and protein types tend to be more pricey.

“Filet mignon and sirloin are pricey, especially when you go for grass-fed varieties,” says Amy Shapiro, MS, RD founder of Real Nutrition NYC.

Shapiro adds: “Anything organic will be more expensive. Plus, anything de-boned or skinless will be more expensive. When it comes to seafood, shellfish (lobster, shrimp, scallops), halibut, and tuna or salmon can all be pricey, especially if caught wild.”

If you’re on a budget, these are the ones to avoid.

Luckily, cheaper cuts like flat iron steak and flank steak are just as good; ditto grilled clams, which can be much cheaper than other shellfish.

Just because you maybe can’t afford pricier protein options for grilling this summer doesn’t mean you can’t still cook out using other, more cost-effective cuts of meat.

Here are some more affordable cuts, accompanied by tasty recipes, to grill this summer:

Chicken Thighs

Usually less expensive than chicken breasts, chicken thighs are delicious when cooked on the grill. For a recipe idea, try out these grilled chicken thighs with a delicious soy marinade. They only take 25 minutes from start to finish!

Chicken Wings

Also more affordable than your boneless cuts, chicken wings are worth considering when shopping for food items to grill. Should you decide to go this route, you have to give these easy grilled buffalo wings a try. Once you pull these off the cooker, you’ll feel like you are eating out at your favorite wing spot.

Pork Chops

Another more affordable cut of meat are pork chops, Shapiro explains. To make your usual grilled pork chop feel more gourmet, check out our grilled pork chop recipe with fresh plum sauce.

Chuck Steak

According to Shapiro, chuck steak, which is a cut of beef that’s part of the sub-prime cut known as the “chuck,” is also a more cost-effective grilling meat. You can use the chuck steak as is, or you can buy ground chuck, for making burgers.

Hot Dogs

It likely won’t shock you that hot dogs are on our list of more affordable meats. Try out our spiral-cut grilled hot dogs in order to make “the best hot dog ever.” And experiment with new hot dog toppings beyond simple mustard to make them more gourmet.

Go for Grill-Friendly Meat Alternatives

If you’re OK with forgoing meat altogether — but still want to grill something that’s filling and protein-packed, “tofu and tempeh can be inexpensive vegetarian options,” says Oz Garcia, a New York-based nutritionist.

To grill tofu, prepare a medium-hot grill. Next, brush the grill with oil, and grill until grill marks appear. Leave your tofu to cook for 1 1/2 to 2 minutes per side. Then, remove from the heat and serve with any additional marinade, sauce, or soy sauce you’d like.

“Extra firm tofu can be marinated in a vinaigrette dressing with added herbs and garlic, and then grilled with onions, zucchini, carrots, and other vegetables,” says Rochelle Sirota, a NYC-based nutritionist. Or try our

When preparing tempeh, which is a traditional Indonesian food made from fermented soy beans, you may want to steam it first for 15 minutes to avoid any bitter taste.

Then, when grilling it, it’s typically recommended that you marinate it first. Tempeh acts a lot like tofu in that you can pretty much season or flavor it however you’d like. Then, once you have it on a medium-hot grilling surface, cook it on each side for two to three minutes.

Veggie burgers are also a great staple when grilling out affordably. “Veggie burgers served with fresh, seasonal accompaniments scream ‘summer,’” Sirota says.

Sirota adds: “After grilling, place them on top of a salad, or on a sprouted whole grain burger bun and top with mustard, tahini, and lemon juice—and serve with a side of cabbage slaw.”

Veggies Are Your Friend—And More Versatile Than You Think

You’ve likely made veggie skewers on the grill before. Now that you’re cooking more affordably, it’s time to get even more creative when using veggies at your next BBQ.

“All meats, including fish and poultry, are more expensive than fruits and vegetables,” says Pamela Bonney, MS, RDN, CDN, FAND, co-founder, Tried and True Nutrition, Inc. “Luckily, veggies, like portobello mushrooms, bell peppers, zucchini, and summer squash are all really great for the grill in the summertime.”

Regardless of which veggies you choose to throw “on the barbie,” as the Australians say, there are some cooking techniques to keep in mind.

“Before grilling, brush or spritz the vegetables with a hint of avocado oil or olive oil,” Sirota says. “After grilling, top them with a sprig of rosemary or a leaf or two of other fresh herbs, such as cilantro or basil.”

Think Outside the Box

Jackie Newgent, RDN, chef, nutritionist, and author of “The Clean & Simple Diabetes Cookbook,” recommends thinking outside the box when grilling up veggie-centric meals.
“Don’t just think of meat for the grill,” Newgent says. “Consider unique meal ideas that feature seasonal veggies, such as grilled eggplant gyros or even grilled hummus quesadillas topped with a fresh Mediterranean-style salsa.” Try these two recipes next time you fire up the grill.

• Grilled hummus quesadilla: “Fill tortillas with hummus and an optional pinch of sumac. Then, fold, brush with extra-virgin olive oil, and grill on both sides until grill marks form … about five minutes total,” Newgent says. “Then, top with a fresh salsa made with thinly-sliced grape tomatoes, scallion, fresh mint, olive oil, a squeeze of lemon juice, and pinch of sea salt.”
• Eggplant gyros: “Brush slices of eggplant with extra-virgin olive oil and season generously with a mixture of sea salt, black pepper, garlic and onion powders, dried oregano, dill, rosemary, and cayenne pepper. Serve in pocketless pitas with sliced tomatoes, red onion, and fresh mint leaves. Top with tzatziki sauce or a homemade lemony tahini sauce,” Newgent says. (This easy flatbread recipe is a good wrapper for these too.)

You Can Also Make Affordable Dessert on the Grill!

As far as meal courses go, this category is appropriately last, but definitely not least. We give you: desserts on the grill.

For an affordable, fun dessert idea, “place cut fruit halves (apricots, plums, peaches, or sliced pineapple rings) face down on the grill for a few minutes. Then, turn over to grill the other side and drizzle with a little honey, or agave or maple syrup,” Bonney says. “Then, give it a squeeze of fresh lemon juice and serve!”