Frugal Cookout Ideas??

[Rebookie]

I would like to do a little something fun cookout wise. Please tell me your ideas! =)

[krbshappy71]

Backyard decorated with items from dollar store, Smores, a fire or grill, and FOOOOOOOODDDD!!!

Since I'm going veggie, I imagine I would do foil packets of veggies such as squash, zucchini, onions, peppers on a grill. Hoagie buns, maybe italian dressing to make it saucier.

I'm hungry, when's the party?

[Libby]

My sister cooked a turkey on the grille in a pan for Thanksgiving last weekend. Was super juicy! We were contemplating doing the beer can chicken as well - aromatic and very juicy!

What about picking a theme for your cookout and decorating accordingly and/or basing the menu on it? Pot luck? This way you can see how others interpret your theme?

My personal fave for cookouts - fresh squeezed lemonade - YUM!

[Contrary Housewife]

I would skip the dollar store decorations and concentrate on the food. People remember those great burgers, they don't remember what color the napkins were.

Offer two or maybe three main dish options, like burgers, dogs and wings, or maybe pulled pork and ribs. You provide the fixings (buns, ketchup, bbq sauce, etc) and friends bring sides.

Have some kind of entertainment.... put up a volleyball net, rent a projector tv and have movie night (with popcorn) or break out the old reliable horseshoes or frisbee.

[cheryl65]

I'm all about burgers and dogs, but you can also get good deals on chicken. Baked potatoes, potato salad, corn on the cob or baked beans are some easy side dish options. I also think potluck is a good idea, you provide the main course and everyone else provides the sides.

[ravenmaniac]

I'm not much on coordinating napkins and such but I am on the food. I ask people to bring drinks, side dish, or dessert.

I love pasta salads. They can be as easy as cooked noodles, a bottle of Italian salad dressing, and whatever your favorite chopped veggies are: cucumber, tomato, red, green or yellow pepper. Maybe a sprinkle of cheese?

One of my favorites is bow-tie pasta, a bottle of creamy Italian salad dressing, and sliced black olives.

Chips and dips are good too. There are some really good flavorful chips out there and many choices in dips.

There are many ways to prepare baked beans. They are a cook out favorite.

I try to have a nice array of side dishes so people do not focus on the burgers and hot dogs. Meats can be an expensive part of the meal.

I love looking at the Taste of Home website for seasonal dishes.

[pollypurebred39]

You could do a grilled potato bar. Just wrap the potatoes in foil and bake on the grill. Serve with any of or all of the toppings below.


Hot toppings

Have crocks of homemade chili, (easy and super inexpensive if you use dried beans, and even less expensive if vegetarian), broccoli and cheese sauce, Homemade cheese sauce (just a white sauce with cheese melted in), Chipped beef in gravy or sausage gravy, taco filling.

Cold toppings

~shredded cheese
~chopped onions
~flavored butters
~chives
~sour cream
~yogurt
~bacon bits
~salsa
~taco sauce
~jalapenos
~sweet bell pepper

For dessert, how about grilled banana sundaes

Grilled Banana Split Sundae with Bittersweet Chocolate Sauce Recipe : : Food Network


Pretty sure it would be fun and it's pretty likely no one your inviting has ever been to a BBQ like this.