With warmer weather on the horizon, I have noticed the smell of more and more people grilling when
I step outside. This got me thinking about ways to grill without breaking the bank. Buying a bunch of meat can get expensive if you want to grill out with all your friends, so I have a few tips to not overspend when grilling out. •Skip expensive cuts of meet
•Check your pantry before you go to the store
•Utilize side dishes
•Go for home made over store bought
•Don’t overdo it on food
•Plan ahead
You don’t need ribeyes to have a solid main dish. Burger, hot dogs, or flank steaks can be just as satisfying. You should also choose things like chicken legs as opposed to boneless chicken breasts because they are cheaper. But, just because they are cheaper does not mean they have to be less flavorful, make sure you marinade your choice overnight to maximize flavor. If you choose to grill burgers, select a ground beef with a higher percentage of fat, as it will be cheaper, more flavorful, and maintain its structure better.
By minimizing the amount of meat you buy, and including more sides, especially ones you can make at home you can save a lot of money. This doesn’t mean you shouldn’t make enough meat for everyone, but having too many leftovers can be a waste. Just as well, sides are generally cheaper than beef, and they provide a change up from meat.
By taking inventory of your pantry you can save yourself from double buying things, and you can also come up with ways to utilize the ingredients you already have. Make sure to think about the ways you can use spices to make rubs and marinades so you can avoid buying them from the store.
As always, make sure to plan your event ahead of time so you can shop for the best deals. Stores have sales on meat less frequently than other products, but they do put meat on sale from time to time. You can also shop ahead of time for nonperishable items, or items that last a while, and store them until it's time to grill!
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