Backyard barbeques (BBQs) are a staple of the summer. As soon as the weather gets warm, you will undoubtedly be anxious to get outside, do some grilling, and enjoy the balmy air.
If you want to host a neighborhood or friends and family BBQ in your backyard, you might be wondering how you can do it without breaking the bank. Bringing everyone together for a meal doesn’t have to cost a fortune, and we’ll be discussing some of the cheap tips you can use for your own BBQ.
Cheap BBQ Setup
There are two main components to hosting a backyard BBQ: your setup and your food. The first tips in this article are regarding your backyard setup. You might think you need to have a complex, exciting setup for your backyard to be party-ready. However, this is not true! A few simple decorative touches can help do the trick.
DIY Fire Pit
Creating a DIY fire pit can help take your backyard to the next level. It’s easy enough for a DIY fire pit to be completed as a weekend project using materials like gravel and angled pavers. Your family can enjoy bonfires and toasting marshmallows for years to come by creating your own DIY fire pit. Additionally, it’s another place for your friends and family to sit around during your BBQ!
Plant Inexpensive Flowers
Rather than trying to nurture expensive annual flowers to get them to bloom for your event, plant some inexpensive perennials to add some color and flair to your backyard. Gorgeous flowers don’t need to be expensive, and having a few pops of color in your backyard during your BBQ can make your friends and family truly feel that summer warmth and positive energy.
Cheap Backyard Furniture for Guests
If you don’t have any patio or backyard furniture in your yard, purchasing some cheap backyard furniture from retailers like Target or Walmart can help your guests feel more comfortable during your BBQ. For around $100, you can get furniture sets that include a dining table and chairs, and for a few more dollars, you can grab some throw pillows to make the space feel cozier.
Use Fairy or String Lights
During your BBQ, the sun will probably begin to set, and the yard will get dark. So, you’ll need some outdoor lights so the party can continue as long as you and your guests want it to! Instead of purchasing expensive lamps or heaters, grab a few sets of fairy lights or outdoor string lights to tie around trees or string up around your house. The light will make the space feel warm and cozy and allow the party to go on as late as you want. Lighting often goes on sale right after the holidays are over. And you can often get it for up to 90 percent off. If you host frequent outdoor parties, stock up on lighting during the winter!
Display Your Plant Collections
Rather than buying new plants to put outside to bring extra life and color to your BBQ, try displaying your indoor plants outdoors for the evening! If you have collections of monstera plants, cacti, or succulents, bring them outside and place them along your patio or outdoor furniture. Your family and friends will love to see what you’re cultivating inside your house, and not buying new plants will prevent you from having new things to take care of once the BBQ is over.
Choose A Simple Color Palette
In terms of decor, choosing a simple color palette is the easiest way to go for dressing up your BBQ. You could use earth tones, black and white, or the traditional Americana red, white, and blue. If you’re on an extreme budget, go to your local Dollar Tree or Dollar General to grab things like cups, plates, tablecloths, and centerpieces.
Disposable Plates and Cutlery
Not only is it cheap to use disposable plates and cutlery for your BBQ, but it also makes the cleanup process so much easier. You can quickly grab disposable silverware, cups, and plates from your local dollar store. Then, you can dispose of or recycle the tableware rather than having to do dishes all night after your BBQ.
When shopping for the best supplies for your summer festivities, take advantage of coupons whenever possible. And scour Discount Stores and Amazon for the best prices on barbecue supplies. Did you know you can earn free Amazon gift cards just for taking easy surveys on your phone? That’s another way you can save a bundle on party supplies!
Cheap BBQ Food
Cheap BBQ Food The other important component of your BBQ is the food! Food is the centerpiece of your party, and whether you make it yourself or have other people bring it, food can get incredibly expensive. However, with these tips, it doesn’t have to! Below are some ideas for keeping your food bill low and your enjoyment high.
Use Inexpensive Cuts of Meat
Avoid buying expensive steaks, burgers, or filets. Shop for inexpensive cuts of meat instead. Depending on the recipe, your guests may not even notice what cut of meat you are cooking, and you can easily stretch the meat across multiple dishes.
Meat is probably the most expensive thing you can buy for your BBQ, so buying cheaper cuts of meat can cut a lot off the total cost.
Make Hot Dogs Gourmet
Piggybacking on the last tip, hot dogs are a classic BBQ staple and are incredibly cheap. You can get a lot of hot dogs on a budget, and you can easily dress them up with toppings or dressings to make them more gourmet. For example, get some chili, cheese, and onions for a classic chili cheese dog, or grab some ketchup, mustard, and relish for a classic American twist.
Make Kebabs
Kebabs allow you to stack pieces of meat alongside veggies on skewers and grill them for your guests. Kebabs allow you to stretch out your meat quantity, cook everything evenly, and get some color onto your plate with crunchy vegetables.
Stretch Your Meat Further
Other dishes, such as tacos, can also help stretch your meat quantities. When you make tacos, burritos, or quesadillas, you can put less meat in them and stuff them with toppings and sauces. This tip is perfect if you want to use higher-quality meats in smaller quantities. Stretching your meat helps keep your guests satisfied without breaking your bank.
Skip Deli-Prepared Salads
Deli-prepared salads, such as potato salad or pasta salad, can get incredibly expensive, and you can easily make them at home for much cheaper and tastier! For example, try making a tri-color rotini pasta salad or a classic American potato salad rather than buying one at your local grocery store. Prepping homemade food might be more time-consuming, but it is much less expensive. And your guests will appreciate the extra effort. Plus, it tastes better!
Have Everyone Bring A Side
If you don’t have much time to spare when preparing for your BBQ, you can request that your guests bring a side or dessert with them! Whether they buy it or make it themselves doesn’t really matter, as it will alleviate time and money from your budget. That way, you will only have to worry about the main dish, such as your grilling meats, hamburgers, hot dogs, and whatever else your guests want. Just make sure everyone communicates, so no one brings the same dish!
Create Filling Appetizers
If the appetizers are left up to you, create satisfying, filling ones so that your guests don’t need to have so much food for the main course. For example, try making high-volume finger foods, such as taco cups, deviled eggs, mac and cheese bites, or chicken tenders. With filling appetizers, your guests will undoubtedly leave satisfied.
