Grill on a Budget: Backyard BBQs Without the Burn

With a little creativity (and maybe a little delegation), you can throw a crowd-pleasing, stomach-filling BBQ without the financial heartburn.

Grilling adds flavor to just about everything and stretches your menu with budget-friendly ingredients. Merch Hub/Shutterstock

You know it’s officially summer when the scent of grilled hot dogs hits you before your neighbor even says hello. Backyard BBQ season is one of life’s simple pleasures—until you’re standing at the checkout line wondering how three packs of hamburger patties and a watermelon somehow added up to $87. And that’s before you even hit the condiment aisle.

Hosting a backyard cookout doesn’t have to torch your food budget. With a little creativity (and maybe a little delegation), you can throw a crowd-pleasing, stomach-filling BBQ without the financial heartburn. Here’s how I do it—and you can, too.

Grill More Than Just Meat

If you’re going to fire up the grill, make the most of it. Don’t stop at burgers and hot dogs. Throw on sliced zucchini, corn on the cob, pineapple rings, even thick slices of pound cake. Grilling adds flavor to just about everything and stretches your menu with budget-friendly ingredients.