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This Summer, use these five easy-to-follow tips and tricks to throw an amazing BBQ that will thrill your family and friends, without taking a bite out of your budget.
Buy inexpensive cuts of meat
Although meat can be the most expensive item on any pre-BBQ shopping list, it is possible to save money when shopping for this fan favourite. When buying chicken, be sure to purchase inexpensive, dark cuts, such as thighs and drumsticks, rather than chicken breasts. Also, stick to smaller, bite-sized cuts of red meat, such as beef and lamb. These can be served as shish kebabs skewers, stacked along with some beautiful, colourful vegetables. Alternatively, if you want to serve steaks, skirt or flank cuts are much less expensive than bone-in thicker cuts such as a t-bone steak. For your seafood-loving guests, consider grilling some halibut and mackerel as affordable white fish options.
Another way to save on meat for your BBQ is to take advantage of sales and promotions at your local grocery store or butcher. Buy meat at a lower cost at that time, and freeze it until it’s time to prep it for the grill.
Here is a delicious example of a quick, easy, and inexpensive way to serve pork at your next Summer BBQ:
Greek BBQ Chicken and Potatoes
Prep Time: 12 min
Cooking Time: 25 min
Ingredients
Steps
With 3.5lbs of meat and everything coming at approximately $26*, this meal should provide 10 adult portions, at a cost of $2.60 per meal.
Enjoy!
Source: coreyinthekitchen.wordpress.com
*Prices are average approximations. Refer to local vendors for accurate food prices.
Add a pinch of potluck
Potlucks are a great way to adds a variety of tastes to your BBQ spread and save money! Cut costs on appetizers, salads, snacks, drinks, and desserts by asking friends and family to bring something from any of those categories. Or, consider asking friends and family to to contribute drinks, bringing enough for themselves or to share, and help keep your costs down.
Incorporate fruits and veggies
Not only do fruits and vegetables add beautiful, vibrant colours to your spread, they are an inexpensive, healthy option for your guests. Local, fresh produce is readily available during the Summer season and is therefore less expensive than in the Fall or Winter. Incorporate seasonal fruits and veggies to your BBQ by creating beautiful salads, and don’t be afraid to throw some of them on the grill! In June and July, seasonal produce includes strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, asparagus, rhubarb, peas, peaches, tomatoes, cucumbers, zucchini. In August and September, you can buy local squash, cabbage, eggplant, bell peppers, and apples at low, seasonal costs.
Shop local farmers’ markets for more affordable produce than grocery store prices. These are an inexpensive option because there is no additional “middle man” costs like shipping, marketing, delivery, and so on. Great grilling options from the farmer’s market include: corn, asparagus, bell peppers, and even pineapple.
This corn on the cob recipe packs the perfect punch of flavour your BBQ guests will love:
Zesty Grilled Corn on the Cob
Prep Time: 20 min
Cooking Time: 20 min
With 6 ears of corn, and additional ingredient portions coming in at approximately $5*, this meal should provide 6 adult portions, at a cost of $0.80 per portion.
Source: allrecipes.com
It’s all in the mix: Reinvent the basics
You can take the “usual” inexpensive BBQ options and make them fancier with special toppings. Add a kick to traditional burgers by adding barbeque sauce or cheddar cheese directly into the ground beef, or top it off with bacon for an extra kick. Or, add some pizzazz to store-bought, frozen burger patties with out-of-the-ordinary toppings that you might already have in the cupboard, like hot sauce, pico de gallo, peach salsa, guacamole, tzatziki sauce, pizza sauce and mozzarella cheese, chipotle mayo and more! You could even use these toppings to accessorize grilled hot dogs.
Having a tight budget shouldn’t stop you from making the most of a short, sweet Canadian Summer, so call up your friends, and fire up that grill. Happy BBQ-ing!
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