Did someone say BBQ party on a budget?
Summer is finally here, and we couldn’t be more happy about it! Of course, everyone is experiencing the effects of inflation these days, especially when it comes to food. But your summertime happiness doesn’t have to end because of a limited budget. You can have a fantastic backyard barbecue without going over budget.
To get the party started, all you need is the correct balance of attendees and inventiveness, along with some food and beverages. So, enough with the chit-chat, let’s get straight to the point and check out these useful tips on how to throw a BBQ party on a budget:
Try the “bring your own drink” policy
The key to success when it comes to a BBQ party on a budget is to ask everyone to bring a bottle of something to drink. Wine, a six-pack of their favorite beer, juice, sodas, and even hard alcoholic beverages. This will reduce drastically your expenses.
Tell your guests that they are invited to a “bring your own drink” party and that they are welcome to bring any beverages they prefer. You may provide the ice, glasses, and any mixers (colas and other carbonated drinks) that they may need.
Use simple decorations
To entertain at night, set up a festive scene with lots of lights, and don’t forget to play some music to get people in the mood to dance. After such a big meal, those calories won’t burn themselves without help
If you lack decorations and want to make it the centerpiece of the table, cut some flowers from your yard and save money. Don’t forget to also play with some fruits to make it look more interesting! Any outdoor BBQ party may be made more exciting and lively with inexpensive, simple decorations!
Keep it simple when it comes to food!
If you embrace the BYOB rule, then you’re up to bring the food to the table. But that doesn’t mean you have to pay an arm and a leg for it! There are some ways to cut down on food expenses without appearing cheap and still indulge in a ton of tasty stuff.
Over the years, after birthday parties, holiday dinners, and so on, I realized that when it comes to meat, I have to befriend the local butcher. And what a nice pair do we make? Trust me when I say that they’re experts on this, and cuts of meat are by far the least expensive compared to what you’ll find in a supermarket.
Go for hotdogs, hamburgers, steak, and other goodies, but when it comes to marinades, try and make your ones. You can make excellent marinades using common ingredients from your cupboard. And trust me, if you have a family recipe, don’t be shy and use it! You might be surprised at how many people will ask for it afterward.
Go for potluck
Another tip, if you want to have BBQ on a budget and cut down on kitchen preparation, is to opt for potluck gatherings. Since you’re the host, you are in charge of recommending what kind of food or beverage to bring so that you don’t wind up with a variety of sweets and no canapés to serve with drinks. You can go for tasty and classic dishes like macaroni salad, chips and dips, crudités, and a summery punch. Mmm, I am hungry now!
Every BBQ party requires some nice and handy tools! So why not pick your favorite set from Amazon? They offer a wide range of options at affordable prices. I purchased the ROMANTICIST 20pc Heavy Duty BBQ Grill Tool Set for just $29.99.
Say yes to veggies
You don’t have to be a vegetarian or vegan to eat vegetables. The internet is loaded with a ton of mouth-watering, easy-to-make recipes that are a must-try at your BBQ party! While a true-blue barbecue is always associated with meat, you can also try and cook some feta cheese-stuffed grilled peppers, grilled veggie medley, or even Portobello mushrooms.
Don’t sue me for using KFC’s slogan but it will definitely be finger-licking good!
Invest in a good grill that won’t use excess fuel
A high-quality barbecue may easily pass the test of time if you take proper care of it. Keep an eye out for discounts on barbecues with extended warranties. For example, the Weber Q320 Black Line portable BBQ has a 5-year warranty on cast and aluminum components and a 2-year warranty on other parts.
And if you own a good-quality grill, then you won’t have to use excess fuel! Win-win for your budget. Cooking for one to two hours just requires one layer across the bottom of the pit. It’s not always necessary to cook on gas at the maximum setting. After the grill has heated up, turn down the fuel and keep the heat on with the BBQ cover.
BBQ with pizza
Who said only steaks and veggies are good for a BBQ party? Why not go for something affordable, like grilled pizza? If you haven’t tried it yet, you must! If you’re feeling really brave, you could prepare your own dough, or you could purchase a couple of containers of already frozen or chilled dough. They’ll cook quickly on the grill, and you may be frugal by being inventive with the toppings.
Skip buying deli
If you’re hosting a big gathering, thinking about buying deli salads or deli meats for appetizers might sound like a good idea. But in reality, for a third of the price, you can easily make your batch of potato salad or three-bean salad. When it comes to deli meat, instead of buying pre-cut slices, consider buying the whole salami and slicing it yourself. You can also use it to customize other grilled foods, such as hamburgers or chicken breast, and make them even tastier.
Opting for filling appetizers can help you lower the cost of the barbecue itself. Whenever I throw a party, I usually go for guacamole with chips, garlic bread, or grilled cheese sandwiches.
Save room for dessert!
There’s always room for dessert, especially if you ate less before. Quickly prepare some wonderful sweet delights and toss them on the grill to cap off a fantastic supper. Caramel apples with BBQ flavor are our favorites.
Intimate gatherings are the best
Sometimes quality is better than quantity. Why throw a party with more guests than your fingers when you can have fun, cook less, and talk to everyone at your gathering? Trust me, it is absolutely OK to be selective! Make sure the people on your guest list are the ones you love spending time with most, whether they are family or friends.
I hope these tips will help you when you’re throwing a party on a budget. Everybody needs to have fun, indulge themselves with good food without going overboard, and be surrounded by their favorite people. Because, you know, it’s the little things in life.
Happy grilling folks!
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