There’s nothing quite as relaxing as spending summer evenings outdoors with good food and great friends. Of course, hosting a cookout, even if it’s in your own backyard, costs money. But as you’re shopping for food, drinks and decorations, remember this: How much you spend has nothing to do with how good the food will taste, how festive your table will look or how much fun you and your friends will have. You can get deliciousness, ambiance and, of course, laughter without spending a small fortune. Here are expert ways to cut the cost of a cookout without cutting down on the flavor or the fun.
Befriend the butcher. Yes, filet mignon melts in your mouth, but it’s also really expensive and not the only worthwhile meat on the market. Rather than trying to eyeball a cheaper cut, go directly to the butcher, tell him you’re grilling out and then ask for his recommendations, based on the number of mouths you’re feeding. It’s likely he’ll point you to a well-marbled-but-not-too-fatty cut, like a hanger steak or skirt steak, both of which cost less per pound than bigger-name steaks like a filet or T-bone.
[See: 12 Shopping Tricks to Keep You Under Budget.]
Order online. If you have enough time before your barbecue, you can buy your meat online at some pretty steep discounts. Omaha Steaks, for example, is currently offering a Grilling Collection, which includes steaks, chicken, hot dogs, fish, pork chops, chicken and baked potatoes for $69.99. Or cut out the middleman and buy directly from a farmer.
Master a marinade. Less expensive meats are often tougher, but not if you know how to grill them right. The best way to help break down those fibers is by marinating overnight. Rather than buy a marinade, which can be pricey, just throw one together yourself. An incredibly basic (and delicious) option: olive oil, lemon, garlic and rosemary.
[See: 10 Fun, Frugal Ways to Spend Your Free Time.]
Gear up like a chef. You don’t need a fancy kit of tools to operate your grill. Skip the apron, gloves and spatula. As long as you have a meat thermometer and a pair of tongs, you’re good to go. The best place to shop for tools like these is at a restaurant supply store. For example, a digital meat thermometer at RestaurantSupply.com will set you back less than $10.
Put out flowers. Freshly cut flowers can make any fete more festive. Pick some from your garden (free!) or nab some at the farmer’s market. You don’t need to display them in fancy vases either. Mason jars give off the perfect carefree summer vibe, and they’re cheap, too. AceHardware.com sells a 12-pack of Ball jars for $10 (with free shipping), and Target stocks them for $9. If you don’t want such a large quantity, try your local hardware or dollar store for individual jars, instead. Got extras? Slip twinkle lights in them and place them around your patio.
Set the mood. You could listen to the crickets, which is lovely in its own way, or you could play music for your guests. There’s the no-cost, no-frills option for amplifying your phone’s speaker: Just stick it in a plastic cup. For higher-quality sounds, invest in a Bluetooth speaker, like Bose’s Soundlink ($129). Or just pick up a mini speaker, like Polaroid’s, currently on sale at the Christmas Tree Shops for $6.69.
[See: 11 Ways to Save Time and Money.]
Buy wine in a box. It used to be that boxed wine meant cheap wine — in a bad way — but that’s just not true anymore. Some of the best sommeliers recommend it now, because the vacuum packaging protects the wine against its two worst enemies, light and air. (That means if you don’t finish it during your party, you still have four to six good weeks to drink it.) A typical box of wine holds 3 liters. That’s four bottles the winemaker doesn’t have to buy, fill or ship, which explains why it’s so cheap. How cheap? Three liters of “From the Tank” white wine, for example, costs $28.04 at AstorWines.com. Added bonus: You can place the box on the end of the table and guests can refill their glasses themselves. Cheers!
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How to Host a Bang-up Backyard BBQ (on a Budget) originally appeared on usnews.com
