My New $$ weakness...grilling

[Iwant2BDebtfree]

Oh boy. The weather JUST warmed up around here and we had 80's yesterday and I learned I am going to have an extreme weakness this summer. How much I spend on foods to grill!

Last night I planned to grill Bourbon marinated Salmon that I got on special at work. But a friend came over so we went to the store and got ribs for my son, 2 steaks, pineapple, marinated asparagus and sausage. I felt like I cooked a FEAST! (Not to mention salad) It was pretty unnecessary but OH so good---and I am afraid I can't control myself with the new house.

We plan on doing a lot of entertaining and grilled food is my downfall. We have the inground pool this year so I know we'll have people around more this year then ever. Hopefully I can get people to bring things---I know a few will as I already mentioned I can't afford to be a hostess all summer, but Im sure it'll still hurt the wallet some.

Anyone on board with the summer being a HUGE budget buster? We stayed in all winter so I was pretty good with money, but Im not strong when it comes to this! lol

[Russ]

Rookie. We were grilling all winter!! 15* degrees one day!

But I know what you mean, it can get a little pricey trying to be creative on the grill. We are going to try to imitate the ribs at Chili's this weekend.

You want to try something that is awesome?? Make this> Beer Butt Chicken Recipe | Beer Can Chicken | Drunken Chicken Oven | Beer Can Chicken Rack

That is just a recipe I got with google search, there are many variations out there. One thing we do is spritz the chicken constantly with lemon soda/ water mix.

[JoJoBean8]

We grill all year round. I love it in the summer because it doesn't make my kitchen all hot. To save some money you can stock up on meats when they are on sale and also on bbq sauce. I know bbq sauce goes on sale for 10/$10 alot around here in the summer. Instead of buy fresh veggies to grill maybe you could get frozen and steam them to cut done on costs a bit more. I have a steamer and I love love love it!

[Josephhgoins]

Good luck!!!

I love grilling too but right now I need to cut costs a little more and get rid of the rest of my debt.

One of the tricks I use is shopping wisely, (when not hungry) and ALWAYS by myself. There is enough temtation there without a friend saying how good something would be and how much they like this or that.

I have a few things that I like to grill that are very tasty and inexpensive. Chicken livers wrapped with bacon and held together with a toothpick are awesome.

Also, keep in mind that if you keep the heat really low some larger tougher cuts like Flank Steak can come out pretty darn good.

I hope you have an awesome summer, but don't stray to far away from your goals.

[Lady_V]

Grilling... I love it too, for many reasons - at home I can cook outside, enjoy the weather and keep an eye on Diva while she plays. - at the ex's I cook to avoid having to go home or call out for pizza while soaking up the rays and using the pool.

I agree -- stock up on meats when it's on sale and buy in BULK!

I really REALLY missed having a fridge last summer! I -am- buying one this month come hell or high water!!!

Pork chops - buy the long tenderloins and either ask the butcher to do it, or do it yourself when you get home -- cut in to 'finger-thick' chops or tips, bag and freeze. When you want to grill, pop it in the fridge and you can marinate right in the bag.

Steaks - same idea as the pork chops, buy big, cut in steaks and tips , bag & freeze.

Hamburg - they sell them in what the Old Man has dubbed 'meat logs'. I usually see them in 10+ lb logs. Pick a night you have nothing but time and a creative streak and make burgers. I've separated the meat in to different bowls and gave each a different taste... have plenty of wax paper for this one.

Hot dogs - buy the 5 lb mega-super-duper package. You can just take what you need out of the freezer.

Chicken and turkey - They sell chicken breasts, tenders, thighs etc in 3 pound bags ($4-$6 a bag here). Take it as needed.

Now... about the guests... if your house is going to become 'the pool house', you can go about this is a few different ways...

1) If you are having a planned party, keep the menu simple... burgers, dogs, wings...and when people offer to bring something, take them up on it! Sides, salads, rolls, drinks... any little bit helps.

2) Pop-over guests... are more than welcome to use the pool, but if they are going to be there during lunch or dinner (and it's NOT a party) ask that they bring something to toss on the grill... sort of a 'price of admission'.

I have brought entire cook-outs to the ex's house because I am using his pool, his water, his electricity and the least I can do is bring something for the grill.

True friends won't mind contributing something... those who don't aren't friends and not "pool worthy".

[nancycg56]

Don't buy pre-marinated anything ~ always do it yourself. There are some fantastic marinade recipes out there. I almost always do flank steak when we have parties ~ I marinade it in different ways and 2 of them will feed a large amount of people.

BBQ sauce is easy to make from scratch, too, and there are loads of recipes out there ~ it just depends on what kind you are looking for.

Don't buy pre-formed burgers ~ you'll pay a premium for not-so-great burgers. To keep hand formed burgers from getting that "bump", press down and make an indentation in the middle being careful not to make a hole. When grilled they won't have that bump

Most of all ~ HAVE FUN!!!!!

[Contrary Housewife]

I grill year round, too, if I can.

To save on costs I stock up on marked down meat or sale items. Around here I can get chicken wings and thighs, or quarters for $1.50/lb or less if I keep my eyes open. Also from time to time they sell "rib tips" which are the trimmings from a side of ribs, it's the same meat just less fancy.

I have no problem serving hot dogs, bratwurst or kielbasa off the grill. I also make "fatties" which are a log of breakfast sausage (or you could use italian sausage) wrapped in bacon and slow cooked and then brushed with bbq sauce.

Whole chicken often goes on sale for $1 a pound. Either have the butcher cut the spine out or butterfly it yourself at home. Open the chicken flat and grill it that way for a more elegant presentation.

Absolutely have people brings things when you entertain. Buns for the burgers or brats, side dishes, cans of beans, condiments, drinks, etc. This stuff is cheap for an individual to bring, if you have to provide all of it yourself it can really add up though.

[hestlauss]

Kabobs are a great way to stretch your money by adding in season veggies. They also cook really fast and can be assembled in advance - great when you are grilling for large groups. Instead of using skewers I strip the leaves off Rosemary branches off plants in my yard (adds lots of flavor and they don't need to be soaked). I also love grilled fruit like fresh apricots when they are cheap for dessert - just brush with a little melted butter, cinnamon and rapadura -tastes like apricot cobbler!
I also pre-marinade and package sale meat so that it's ready to be taken out of freezer as needed. Best part of grilling is not having pots and pans to wash

[Grainlady]

I keep meat purchases to no more than $10/week, and try to purchase meat that is $2/pound or less (for two adults); yet there are all kinds of wonderful cuts in the freezer because I'm very careful with my purchases and make sure I check the discounted meat and fish FIRST for those great bargains. I'm also a stickler for serving sizes and make sure there are other things served with the meal that will be filling and nutritious so the meal isn't just about the meat.

ALL food is purchased within a fixed budget ($75 / for two weeks), so there would never be an unlimited amount spent for meat.

When it comes to grilling, especially when we serve a large number of people, like hestlauss, we serve kabobs to make the meat go farther and keep serving sizes reasonable. It's also a good use for all that garden produce.

With an open brazier, rotisserie, smoker, etc., you can cook larger cuts - whole chickens; rib, round rump, round tip, or chuck beef roast; pork loin, butt, pork shoulder - even hams. Have you ever grilled a beef brisket or pork tenderloin? Both can often be found on sale or greatly reduced in the discount bin.

Do your meat math at the store....

Keep in mind how many servings per pound of meat you can get, not just the cut of meat, and THEN choose by price per serving.

Boneless - rolled roast, flank steak - 4 (3-oz.) servings per pound.

Some bone - round steak, sliced ham, pot roast, rib eye steaks - 3 (3-oz.) servings per pound.

Much bone - beef brisket, short ribs, bone-in steak - 2 (3-oz.) servings per pound.

Figuring how much to purchase...
-Rib meats - 3/4- to 1-pound per person
-Bone-in - 1/3-1/2 pound per person
-Boneless - 1/4-1/3 pound per person

-Chicken, whole: 1 to 2 servings per pound
-Chicken parts: (bone-in, skin on) 2-3 servings per pound
-Chicken breasts: (boneless, skinless) 3-4 servings per pound

[Libby]

For the unexpected guests we usually have burgers and dogs on standby in the freezer. We've made skewers vs kebabs b/c it makes a steak go waaaaay further. Thinly slice beef, let it sit in a marinade and when ready to grill, carefully skewer it onto metal rods (thats what we use b/c they're reusable) They take very lil time to cook through.

My fave is grilled veggies - peppers, zucs, cucs, carrots, onions & cherry tomatoes on a skewer. I hope to try grilled fruit this year.

I'm a big fan of the pot luck system when going to someone's home for a BBQ. My friends will come over to host the BBQ at my place and all I have to do is sit back, enjoy and contribute sides. That's a fair deal to me!

Happy grilling this summer

[a.nonymous]

We plan on doing a lot of entertaining and grilled food is my downfall. We have the inground pool this year so I know we'll have people around more this year then ever. Hopefully I can get people to bring things---I know a few will as I already mentioned I can't afford to be a hostess all summer, but Im sure it'll still hurt the wallet some.

Ah, in South Africa there's the known concept of Bring'n'Braai (Braai = BBQ).
Guests just bring some food & drink along and people exchange different meat types/cuts etc. Typically every guest brings a small gift for the hosts such as a bottle of wine, bouqet for the wife...

Man, now I miss the place even more.

[Iwant2BDebtfree]

Thank you everyone! I am saving this thread so I can refer back all summer!!! I tried grilling during the winter because we got a great deal last year on an infrared grill but it just didn't heat up right outside in the low temps.

I can't wait to try some of the things posted here! And a special thanks to Russ for the link..I LOVE beer can chicken in the oven...NEVER tried it on the grill...CANT WAIT!

[frugalwarrior2]

We regularly cut up cheap roasts in slices and throw into a gallon bags w/ marinade. Then make rice or potatoes.
I recently bought the aluminum pans to throw chicken and veg in. Grilling isn't anymore expensive than any other meal here. Teens make dogs/burgers and cheap texas broil. If your friends come regularly they should bring food. Esp. seeing you have the pool.
When our friends have parties they just provide the sides and the house. We all bring what we want to grill. Theres an unspoken ettiquette (sp) about not bring anything that expensive.
Oh also. Soak corn all day in water in a clean bucket and steam grill it. Filling,seasonally cheap and most people like it. Easy too.

[MomToTwoBoys]

We are avid grillers as well!

I love grilling kabobs with fresh mushrooms, red pepper, onion and beef chunks that I've marinated in Italian dressing. We usually eat either some cold salads or some crockpot baked beans with dinners like that.

The problem with our grilling budget is that many of the meats we buy are from Sobey's, which is a lot more expensive than Superstore. The cut of meat, though, is significantly better. If we're having chicken, we go with frozen chicken from Superstore. However, if it's any time of steak (whether it be pork or beef), we buy them from Sobey's. Even with marinating, the cuts of meat at Superstore are very stringy and gritty.

I'd serve more salads and side dishes and try to keep the meat sizes to about 4oz per person. You really don't need more than that. You could try making salads with fruit and meat in them (a nice Asian chicken salad with mandarin oranges is tasty... just grill the chicken and it's delicious).

Our big salad choices are pasta, potato and Caesar. I make enough salad to last a couple of days.

[JerryG]

Don't forget that you can grill almost all fruits and veggies (apples, pineapples, peaches, onions, green onions, potatoes, tomatoes, corn on the cob (one of my favorites!). A little oil never hurts and kebabs are indeed handy. I have guests make their own and baby sit them w/ a comment of "Your skewer is going on now!

Tortillas, pizza, garlic bread. Wow! I'm salivating now!