Hosting a backyard barbecue should leave you with happy memories, not sticker shock when you look at your grocery bill. Fortunately, there’s no need to serve fancy steaks or gourmet sides. Planning a cheap cookout menu is about serving crowd-pleasing favorites that are simple and easy to pull off (without straining your budget).
You just need the right plan. In this guide, you’ll find affordable main dishes, budget-friendly sides, easy desserts and drinks, and money-saving hosting tips to pull off a perfect cookout without overspending.
Your Cheap Cookout Menu to Grill for a Crowd
Looking for a simple, cheap cookout menu? Everyone has different tastes, but some all-American mains include:
- Hot dogs or brats: Look, hot dogs are affordable, easy to cook, and almost everyone knows how they like theirs. Offer simple options like diced onions, relish, ketchup, mustard, sauerkraut, or shredded cheese, and guests can customize their meal without the cost of extra meat.
- Blended burgers: Burgers are another crowd-pleaser, but they don’t have to be made with premium ground beef to taste great. Ground turkey costs less than lean beef, while a beef-and-pork blend can add flavor without increasing your grocery bill too much.
- Bone-in chicken: If you’re looking for maximum flavor at a budget-friendly price, bone-in chicken thighs and drumsticks are hard to beat. They’re less expensive than chicken breasts and are forgiving if they cook a little longer.
- Pulled pork: One pork shoulder can feed a pretty big group. Slow-cook it until it’s tender enough to shred, then pile it onto hamburger buns with barbecue sauce and coleslaw.
To get more food for your money, buy family packs. Stores like Sam’s Club or Costco sell bulk packages that usually cost less. And if you don’t use everything, freeze the extra meat for later.
Cheap Sides That Pair Well With a Backyard Barbecue
If you’re hosting on a budget, the sides are where you can really save some dough. Meat is the biggest line item on any cheap cookout menu, but filling sides can round out the meal for just a few bucks.
No-Cook and Make-Ahead Sides
Preparing a few dishes the night before helps spread out the work and keeps your grill free for the main event. Go with options like:
- Pasta salad
- Potato salad
- Coleslaw
- Three-bean salad
- Watermelon and seasonal sliced fruit
Hot Sides From the Grill or Oven
Hot sides are another great way to stretch your budget and still give guests a delicious meal:
- Corn on the cob
- Baked beans
- Grilled zucchini, onions, peppers, and mushrooms
- Baked potatoes
When you’re planning food for a cookout party, you don’t need a dozen side dishes. Two or three hearty options are all you need. You can also save money by asking guests to bring a dish. Most are happy to help out!
Easy Finger Foods and Snacks for a Backyard Cookout
A good cookout food menu isn’t just about what’s coming off the grill. Having a few easy snacks on the table gives guests something to munch on while everyone gathers:
- Chips and dip station with salsa, French onion dip, and guacamole
- Veggie trays with Ranch dressing
- Pickles, olives, and cheese cubes
- Pretzels and popcorn
- Grilled fruit skewers (peaches or watermelon are super tasty off the grill)
Affordable Desserts and Drinks to Round Out the Menu
You don’t need an elaborate dessert table or a cooler packed with expensive drinks to end your cookout on a high note. A few classic favorites can satisfy everyone’s sweet tooth while keeping your grocery bill under control.
Cheap Dessert Ideas
The classics are best here. Go with cheap cookout menu staples like:
- S’mores
- A store-bought sheet cake
- Boxed brownies
- Ice cream sandwiches or popsicles
- Fruit skewers
Low-Cost Drink Ideas
Canned drinks and sodas are pricey, so skip those. You can keep guests refreshed with cheaper options like:
- Lemonade
- Brewed iced tea
- Water with sliced cucumber or lemon
- 2-liter bottles of soda
If you’re planning a gathering with alcohol, ask guests to BYOB. That keeps your costs down and ensures everyone has the drink options they love. Just make sure to tell everyone when you send the invitation so they know what to bring.
Simple Tips to Keep Costs Down on Cookout Day
Choosing a few foods from each category in this guide will help you build an inexpensive cookout menu. But there are a few more tricks you can try to reduce cookout costs, like:
- Shopping sales: Check grocery store flyers and plan your menu based on what’s on sale right now. That’s way cheaper than making a menu and then shopping for the ingredients.
- Choosing store-brand: If you aren’t brand-loyal, go with store-brand ingredients. Store-brand buns, condiments, chips, pasta, canned beans, and baking mixes are just as good as name brands but cost less.
- Prepping the day before: You can prep many cookout dishes ahead of time. This saves you a lot of hassle the day of and helps you avoid those “I forgot one ingredient!” grocery runs.
- Serving buffet-style: Instead of plating meals individually, arrange your cookout party menu buffet-style and let guests serve themselves. Everyone can pick out what they want and how much, so this is better for guests, too.
- Planning for leftovers: Before shopping, think about how you’ll repurpose extra food during the week. Leftover pulled pork can become tacos or sandwiches, grilled chicken works well in salads or wraps, and extra vegetables can go into soups, omelets, or pasta.
- Hosting a potluck: If you’re hosting a larger gathering, you don’t have to do everything yourself. You can just cook the main dish and ask guests to bring a side, drink, or dessert.
Make Every Dollar Count at Your Next Cookout
Who says you have to cut corners to plan a cheap cookout menu? Focus on filling, simple foods to feed a crowd without straining your budget.
If you’re not sure where to start, build a simple menu with a couple of grilled mains, two or three hearty sides, a simple dessert, and budget-friendly drinks. From there, you can adjust the portions and menu based on your guest list and grocery sales.
With a little planning, your next backyard gathering can be memorable for all the right reasons. Most people won’t remember whether you served gourmet burgers or homemade coleslaw. They’ll remember catching up with friends and family and enjoying a meal together.
