It’s almost the season for the great outdoors, food & fun! You may love hosting big backyard BBQs however what if you don’t the resources or money for a big old bash? Don’t stress, with these tips you will be able to host and afford all the cookouts you desire!
Bake Your Desserts at Home
You can’t have a cookout without dessert! You will find that most bakeries or supermarkets dessert options are quite expensive, they usually have a makeup of 300%. Baking cakes, cookies or cupcakes from scratch is the cheapest way to go. If you’re not a fan of baking try using boxed cake or brownie mixes.
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Don’t Blow Out the Budget on Meat
You don’t have to put a dent in your bank account to have steak, fish or chicken on the grill. Try skipping the porterhouse and pick up some flank or skirt steak. All you need to do is rethink your cooking process. These types of meat are perfect for a low and slow smoker. These cuts have oodles of flavor and a smoker will help bring that out.
Bone in chicken is also perfect for the smoker as it stays juicy and tender, not to mention it much cheaper than chicken breast! For your fish, try to pick something in season. You will find that the more plentiful the supply, the cheaper the fish. So have a chat with your fishmonger and they will be happy to let you know. Also, make sure you ask if it is grill friendly.
Consider Your Grill Purchase Wisely
Well, charcoal and gas grill are some of the more popular options but they require some purchase of fuel to power them. Electric smokers are well regarded as efficient and cheap cookers. Not only that it eliminates the extra costs of preparing for your cookout. Make sure you explore your options first and pick one of the electric meat smokers that fits your needs and budget.
No Need to Burn All Your Fuel
Many people tend to waste a huge amount of fuel when cooking. Most of us pour way too much charcoal into our grills. Unless your cooking for a huge occasion, there is no need to use a 10-pound bag. You will find that 2-3 pounds should be enough to cook for six to eight people. If you’re using gas to cook up pork or brisket, you only need to put it on high for the first five minutes. After that, you can turn it too low and let it cook low and slow.
Avoid Grill-Ready Meats
Avoid all prepared grill meat. Any type of meat that has been pre-seasoned, skewered or marinated will be much more expensive. Your best options are to buy in bulk such a slab of meat or whole chicken and prepare it yourself.
Make Your Own Marinades
Just like your seasonings, marinades can be very pricey. You can easily make your own at home with a few simple ingredients, depending on the flavors you like. A quick & tasty marinade for pork just needs olive oil, garlic, honey, jalapenos & lime. Whereas chicken really only needs some oil, salt, pepper, and lemon!
Make Your Own Seasonings
Most prepacked seasonings can cost from $2 – $8 for a tiny container! If you just a quick read of the ingredients, it’s likely you have all the same ingredients at home! If you create your seasonings like this, they will cost you a few pennies!
It can be exciting to experiment with all sorts of blends and flavors. Start with a base such as this yummy chicken rub and add something different each time. You never know you might create your own secret blend of herbs and spices! This also helps brings some variety to your BBQ without spending any more money.
Put the Decoration & Invites Together Yourself!
There is no need to buy and mail out invites anymore! Technology allows you to do with efficiently and inexpensively. All you need to do is set up a Facebook event & send out notifications to your group. If some of your invites don’t have Facebook, you can download free templates and make the invites yourself.
Decorations can also be made on the cheap. All you need to do is check out Youtube or Pinterest for trillions of DIY ideas for a cookout. Some of our favorites include burlap bunting and floating candles! If you have a holiday coming up you can even base it on a theme, such as Halloween.
Make It A Pot Luck
Make the cookout inclusive and kindly ask each of your guests to bring one of their favorite dishes. Most people are really excited to show off a family favorite or dish from a certain region of the world. You don’t need to be strict just make sure you have a variety of dishes such as apps, salads, mains & desserts.
As you can see there is no need for your cookout to cost you a leg, arm, and drumstick! With these flavourful recipes & tips to guide you, you will be able to shop on a budget and put together some yummy food for your friends and family. Get ready to have a whole summer full of cookouts!