For even more inspiration to get those savings up, here are some additional BBQ ideas that cost less.

55 Weeknight Dinners You Can Make On The Grill

• of 55. Easy Fish Tacos.
• of 55. Best Ever Burger.
• of 55. Loaded Grilled Cauliflower.
• of 55. Jerk Chicken.
• of 55. Cabbage “Steaks”
• of 55. Grilled Bruschetta Chicken.
• of 55. Balsamic Grilled Steak Salad with Peaches.
• of 55. Sticky Grilled Chicken.

Backwoods cooking is a method of cooking without the use of kitchen implements. It commonly takes place in the backwoods, often in combination with wild or conventional camping. Traditionally backwoods cooking takes place over a wood-burning fire because wood is the most available fuel source in the backwoods.

1. Don’t splurge on fancy meats.
2. Use cheaper veggies and sides to supplement the food.
3. Speaking of those sides, make them homemade.
4. Ask guests to contribute.
5. Turn off the grill as soon as the food’s done.

• Chipotle Barbecue Pork Ribs. Well-seasoned Chipotle BBQ Pork Ribs, grilled to perfection, and brushed with a tangy, sweet,and spicy barbecue sauce.
• BBQ Boneless Leg of Lamb.
• Red Wine Barbecue Pork Ribs.
• Grilled Shrimp Skewers.
• Farofa.
• Grilled Rump Steak.
• Chinese Pork Ribs (Char Siu)
• BBQ Peach Grilled Chicken Wings.

Main Dish Cookout Menu Ideas

• Best Veggie Burger. This vegan burger is meaty and savory, smoky and satisfying, and it even holds up on the grill.
• BBQ Jackfruit Sandwiches.
• Crispy Cauliflower Po’ Boy Sandwich.
• Portobello Mushroom Burger.
• Grilled Asparagus.
• Perfect Grilled Zucchini.
• Grilled Eggplant.
• Grilled Watermelon.

1. Prep food before your guests arrive.
2. Make sure you have enough propane or charcoal.
3. Ask guests to bring side dishes.
4. Put up decorative outside lights.
5. Serve snacks away from the cooking.
6. Encourage guests to help themselves to both kid-friendly and adult drinks.
7. Set up some yard games to keep the kids occupied.

Tasty BBQ Food Ideas For Large Groups

• Cheeseburger Kebabs.
• Honey Glazed Chicken Wings.
• Grilled Shrimp Skewers.
• Mac ‘N’ Cheese.
• Steak Fajitas.
• Pulled Pork Brioche Buns.
• Sweet & Sticky BBQ Salmon.
• DIY Hotdog Bar.

Don’t bring anything for the meal; what you bring might not fit into the planned menu, but your host might feel obligated to serve it anyway. Instead, bring something for your host to enjoy at a later time – flowers, a plant, a box of chocolates, or something you know your host would personally enjoy later on.

11 procrastinator-friendly last-minute foods to bring to a…

• Great garlic bread. Garlic bread is a simple side dish if you’ll already be using the grill.
• A perfect pitcher of iced tea.
• Compound butter and cornbread.
• Baller baked beans.
• Easy sangria.
• Marinated cheese.
• Easy antipasto platter.
• Pie à la mode.

Some cheap or inexpensive foods for a BBQ are BBQ beans, buns, 2 liter sodas, an uncut melon, generic chips, and potato salad. I’ve found these to coincide with people who don’t wish to spend much money at a BBQ.

Sure, most hosts will say something along the lines of ‘don’t worry, just bring yourself’ but it’s always polite to bring something with you to the barbecue, even if it’s just a bottle of wine or some sides. Bringing something is always a kind gesture and you can’t go wrong with drinks!

15 Easy Recipes to Bring to Your BBQ

• Grilled Corn on the Cob. Source: Foodie Crush.
• Tomato Avocado Salad.
• Fruit and Cream Cheese Sandwiches.
• Peach Salsa.
• Raspberry Chipotle BBQ Ribs.
• Cauliflower Mac N’ Chicken Casserole.
• Summer Strawberry Spinach Salad With Avocado.
• Blackened Salmon Burgers with Herbed Cream Cheese.

Want to Be a Great Cookout Guest? Bring Something People Actually Want to Eat

1. Coleslaw. Whether you like yours creamy or lightly dressed with vinegar, coleslaw is perhaps the most important side to serve next to grilled meat.
2. Potato Salad. Repeat after me: do not over think the potato salad.
3. Pasta Salad.
4. Dip.

Thrillist Explorers

• Potato Salad.
• Coleslaw.
• Zucchini.
• Couscous Salad.
• Quinoa Salad.
• Grilled Artichokes. You’re trying too hard.
• Bean Salad. Salads as a whole have a bad rep.
• A Green Salad. Oh come on.

What to Serve with Burgers: 21 Tasty Side Dishes

• Barbecue Baked Beans. It’s simple and easy to make, yet packed with so much flavor.
• Pasta Salad. Pasta salad is light, tangy, and refreshing.
• Quinoa Salad.
• Sweet Potato Fries.
• Onion Rings.
• Coleslaw.
• Roasted Tomatoes.
• Zucchini Chips.

From classic coleslaw to terrific grilled corn on the cob, here are our favorite simple sides to serve with hot dogs.

• Corn on the Cob with Seasoned Salts.
• Smoky Coleslaw.
• Pasta Salad with Grilled Vegetables, Parsley and Feta.
• Stovetop Mac and Cheese with Cheese Crisps.
• Classic Potato Salad.