Summer time is the season to get out of the kitchen and get to barbecuing! Unfortunately, while we’ve all been waiting for the temperature to go up, the food prices have too.
Don’t let it ruin your dinner – you can still wear your “King of the Grill” apron on a budget!
The price of steak can certainly climb into some crazy numbers, but with the right cut, it doesn’t have to be off the table.
Look for a thinner cut, like flank or skirt steak. Both can be quite tasty and are best prepared fast and hot to get your crowd fed fast!
Another one to try is a chuck eye steak, rather than rib-eye.
The chuck eye is cut closer to the shoulder so the working muscle makes it a slightly tougher to chew, while a rib eye is cut at the ribs, where there is more fat to add to the flavor. Still, marinate it with an acidic mixture to break down the fiber a bit and you’ll remain a top chef.
While brisket is a great treat, the price can really make you cringe. Try swapping it out for pork shoulder.
Dubbed the “poor man’s brisket,” it’s a super flavorful option that can be served sliced or pulled. Plus, it lessens the pressure on your pitmaster to have it cooked just right! Try smoking it slow and low for the best flavor.
Overall, pork offers a variety of affordable, yet overlooked, options. For ribs, look for a country style, which are cut from the shoulder, giving you more meat and less bone per pound.
Bone-in pork chops on the other hand, are not only less expensive, but also lock in a more juicy flavor.
Pork loin offers an opportunity to get creative, as you can cook it traditional style or butterfly it, stuff it with herbs and cheese, and roll it up.
If you are thinking chicken, breast doesn’t need to be the best. Whole chickens are often cheaper per pound and offer both white and dark meat.
They can be seasoned and spatchcocked, which is essentially butterflying and laying the bird flat.
Another option for fun and flavor is cooking it beer-can style, where your bird is upright and steamed. You can use any variety of beer or soda, such as Dr. Pepper or Sprite.
Drumsticks are also an affordable cut and are easy to add in flavor with rubs or sauces.
For a more filling dinner option, go for leg quarters. Both options are cheaper than chicken breast, and are a little more foolproof for cooking and keeping moisture in. You could splurge slightly and grab wings. While wings are a more expensive chicken option, they will still run cheaper than preparing beef.
You could also celebrate Thanksgiving in July and throw turkey legs on.
And of course, no grilling season is complete without burgers. Save some money by doing some of the prep yourself. While frozen burgers are certainly convenient, that convenience comes at a cost. Get a value pack of ground beef and form your own patties. If you make a big batch, freeze them into your family portion with parchment paper between patties. Have younger kids or need a quicker grilling time for pool days? Make your burgers a little thinner.
You can also stretch your burgers and add flavor by incorporating mushrooms or onions. Or, if you have a really adventurous crowd, you could mix in lentils like black beans. Just be careful cooking as they’ll be a pinch more delicate. If your family is not one to deviate from meat, try mixing in some sausage.
If you’ve really been watching the BBQ shows, you’ve probably seen them grill up a “smoked bologna.”
You can get a log of bologna from the deli counter, remove any casing, score it, season it and throw it in the smoker for something different.
Aside from the cuts you pick, you can also stretch your budget by making meat a part of the show, not the whole cast. Have fun with creating shish kabobs, do a fajita night or make a gourmet chopped salad. So many vegetables give off grilled perfection as well, so mix them with your meat and serve with rice.
Lastly, if you plan on grilling all summer long, you may also want to grab a bundle of meat. You may be able to find a good deal at the local meat locker or if grass fed or organic is important to you, you could reach out to a local farm and have one butchered up just like you like it.
There is no need to eat peanut butter and jelly the rest of the week just to enjoy great meals on the grill!