Call it a barbecue, BBQ, or cookout—the point of this quintessentially summer activity is to spend time and have fun with family and friends. Are these events better when the food is amazing? Sure. Great food improves any situation. But you don’t have to be a Michelin-star chef or spend a small fortune to enhance your barbecue’s culinary experience. Backyard BBQ ideas on a budget can spare your wallet and keep the compliments rolling in.
Meat often takes center stage at the cookout and costs the most at the store. That makes it the best place to focus when creating a budget-friendly BBQ. With that in mind, we’ve gathered tips and recipes to help you save on meat without sacrificing flavor or leftovers. Navigate your way to a better backyard BBQ on a budget.
- Go big to save big
- Your “but this, not that” guide budget cuts
- Pork recipes
- Beef recipes
- Chicken recipes
Go big to save big
Buying in bulk doesn’t just save you money on toilet paper. The same principle applies in the meat department.
Basically, the bigger the chunk, the better the deal you get—on a per-pound basis. It’s why a whole pork loin is cheaper per pound than the same amount of pork chops. And pork is a great place to start, though the loin isn’t the budget cut we had in mind.
When you’re craving some unctuous goodness, the pork shoulder is your best bulk buy. You’ll also see it called pork butt or Boston butt. This isn’t anatomically correct at all since the cut always comes from the front shoulders of the pig. Confusing naming aside, this big hunk of deliciousness will feed a lot of people. Cooking it low and slow gives you shredded pork you can dress up for a variety of dishes.
If you want to go big with beef instead, the chuck—also a front-shoulder cut—or brisket are great options. Again, these can be huge hunks of beef that, when cooked slowly, shred into tender and flavorful ways to feed the multitudes.
Not into red meat? The whole chicken is a much more economical option. You can take many different culinary approaches with your whole birds. Besides fantastic versatility, each chicken has two of every part, so everybody can get what they want.
Your “buy this, not that” guide to budget cuts
Bulk buying isn’t your only option to satisfy your guests without breaking your budget. Maybe you have a smaller gathering in mind and don’t need eight pounds of pork shoulder. Or maybe you really are in the mood for steak. That’s OK. We have you covered with smart swaps for your budget-friendly BBQ.
When you really want a ribeye, but your wallet just won’t let you, try these steak options:
- Chuck eye: This is the perfect one-to-one exchange for a ribeye because the chuck eye is essentially an extension of the loin (the ribeye’s muscle group) into the shoulder. It’s not as popular, but packs all the marbled fatty flavor and tenderness at a steep discount.
- Flat iron: Another cut from the shoulder that’s tender and flavorful without busting the budget.
- Sirloin tip or ball tip: Not a top sirloin, but a lean, tender option that will cost a little less, but still satisfy the craving for steak.
- Tri-tip: Not the cheapest option on this list, but buying a whole tri-tip instead of steaks can save you money on a premium steak-eating experience.
If chicken is the choice, and a whole bird is out of the question, opt for legs or thighs over breasts and wings. The secret about chicken thighs is out. They used to be even more of a budget option, but people discovered they packed so much more flavor—and were way easier to cook—than chicken breasts. You can still save a little bit on thighs and drumsticks while actually enhancing the BBQ chicken dishes you’re serving.
For those thinking pork is the move for the cookout, here’s some swaps you can make:
- Skip the baby back ribs in favor of St. Louis or spare ribs. Both have more meat and should be cheaper. If you really want a lot of meat on your ribs, save by opting for country-style ribs. They won’t eat exactly like your baby backs, but they’re meaty and cost-effective.
- Pork chops are typically from the loin, but if you move down the back of the pig, you can save a little bit. Opt for sirloin chops, which have a bit more flavor, but are still very tender when cooked properly.
Also, you can rarely go wrong with burgers and dogs. These two summer grilling favorites aren’t going to break the bank. But make sure you get quality ground beef with a good amount of fat (80/20 is what most chefs prefer) but not too much. Spending the extra couple of bucks for good, compatible hot dogs is always worth it—and they still won’t bust your budget.
Try these recipes to help you do your backyard bbq on a budget
Each of the recipes below works great for the day of the cookout or as a way to use the leftovers you have from buying bigger, budget-friendly cuts.
Pork shoulder dishes that deliver:
- Whole30 Garlic Pulled Pork
- Garlic Pulled Pork Breakfast Hash
- Asian-Inspired Salad with Garlic Pulled Pork
- Whole30 Sweet Salsa Pork
When beef is actually what’s for dinner:
- Whole30 Tri-Tip
- Whole30 Beef and Mashed Potatoes
- Instant Pot Beef Barbacoa
- Bonus: Whole30 Dry Rub or Homemade Steak Rub
Chicken recipes that rule the roost:
- Whole30 Roast Piri Piri Chicken
- Greek Lemon Chicken from No Crumbs Left
- Whole30 Shredded Chicken Tacos in a Red Pepper Boat
- Shredded Barbecue Chicken on Sweet Potato “Buns”
- Buffalo Ranch Bacon Chicken Salad
- Whole30 Buffalo Chicken Dip
- Chicken marinades that will add big flavor with little effort
- Bonus: Here’s what to do with the carcasses from these whole chickens you’re cooking.
Save and satisfy with backyard BBQ ideas on a budget
You have a bevy of budget-friendly tips for cooking up success at your next BBQ. Now all you need is a group of friends and family ready with big appetites, fun stories, and good vibes to make the perfect al fresco evening.
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