Do you enjoy hosting but worry about the expense? With a few smart choices, you can host a memorable summer BBQ without spending a lot. These practical tips will help you plan a delicious, budget-friendly backyard gathering for family and friends.
Simple Ways to Save on a Summer BBQ
Start by deciding on a menu and then shop around for the best prices on the ingredients you need. Planning ahead and matching your menu to seasonal bargains are two of the easiest ways to keep costs down.
1. Choose the right cooking method
How you cook can affect both cost and flavor. Grilling uses direct, high heat and works well for quick items such as burgers and hot dogs. Barbecuing—slow cooking with indirect heat—lets you buy cheaper cuts of meat and transform them into tender, flavorful dishes. Avoid premium cuts like ribeye or boneless chicken breasts when you’re trying to cut costs. Instead, opt for more economical cuts that respond well to slow cooking or flavorful marinades.
2. Dress up inexpensive basics
Simple foods can feel special with a few creative touches. Offer a variety of affordable toppings for hot dogs and hamburgers—chopped onions, relish, canned chili, pickles, and shredded cheese can all elevate a basic meal. Marinating sausages in beer or stuffing burgers with cheese or vegetables creates an impression of effort and flavor without a big price tag. Grilled vegetable skewers made with zucchini, cherry tomatoes, peppers, and onions are colorful, tasty, and inexpensive.
3. Make salads and sides at home
Prepared deli salads are convenient but costly. Homemade versions of coleslaw, potato salad, and pasta salad are easy and far cheaper to make. Pasta salads are especially budget-friendly because pasta is inexpensive and stretches to feed many guests. If you prefer not to cook baked beans, canned beans on sale are a good alternative—add spices, brown sugar, or bacon bits to make them taste homemade.
4. Buy staples in bulk
For larger gatherings, buying buns, chips, and paper goods in bulk can save a lot. Wholesale clubs and foodservice stores often sell these items at lower per-unit prices. If you don’t have a membership to a warehouse club, look for local foodservice outlets that sell to the public; they often carry bulk items without a membership fee.
5. Control beverage costs
Drinks can quickly become a major expense if you buy individual cans or bottles. Serving drinks from large containers—2-liter sodas, pitchers of iced tea, lemonade, or a punch—reduces cost and waste. For adult beverages, consider a simple spiked punch or wine spritzers made with boxed wine and flavored seltzer. Make it easy for guests to bring what they want by mentioning that the event is BYOB if they prefer other beverages.
6. Serve seasonal desserts
Seasonal fruit makes inexpensive and satisfying desserts. A peach cobbler when peaches are in season, grilled fruit with a scoop of ice cream, or sliced watermelon are all crowd-pleasers that cost less than elaborate pastries. If someone in your circle owns an ice cream maker, ask whether they’d bring a homemade batch—guests often enjoy contributing.
7. Use affordable tableware and keep things casual
Paper plates, cups, and napkins from discount or dollar stores are an easy way to lower costs. Many wholesale retailers also offer inexpensive disposable tableware. Keeping the event informal lets you prioritize fun over presentation, and there’s no shame in using paper towels for napkins when everyone is enjoying messy, saucy food.
Bonus Tip: Make it a potluck
A potluck is one of the best ways to reduce hosting costs and preparation time. Ask guests to bring salads, sides, drinks, or desserts. This not only spreads the expense among attendees but also introduces variety and gives everyone a chance to contribute. Most friends and family are happy to bring a dish in exchange for a relaxed afternoon or evening with good company.
With planning, a focus on seasonal and bulk-buy items, and a few creative touches, you can host a successful summer BBQ that’s enjoyable and affordable. Use these strategies to keep costs low while still delivering a delicious, welcoming gathering.
by Patricia Estero
