It doesn’t have to cost you a lot of money to make your barbecue memorable. Remember: most people expect hamburgers and potato salad. So any different food is good. And if you follow our cheap barbecue party ideas, you can impress your guests for little money.
First of all, I must say that there is absolutely nothing wrong with hamburgers and potato salad. I love both and every weekend barbecue party should have a good selection of these and other staples. But just a few other inexpensive barbecue party food ideas while planning can keep your meal – and your parties – from a boring repeat.
Here are five cheap and easy food ideas you can try right away to make your next barbecue party memorable and fun:
1) One word: Seasonings! Everybody has mustard and ketchup. Every now and then you see a lone bottle of Frank. But for very little money or effort, you can add a rainbow of flavor to your table and impress your guests. Visit a specialty store or a good supermarket and buy some bottles of BBQ sauces or unusual hot sauces for the table. Don’t just paint the meat on the grill, give your guests a choice at the table. Today’s barbecue and hot sauces come in a wide variety of flavors and spiciness levels and there is something for (almost) everyone. Consider the food you are serving and other sauces that can complement it. If you’re serving chicken, consider a white barbecue sauce or horseradish sauce. If you are serving fish, consider a sweet barbecue sauce or a Vietnamese or Japanese fish sauce.
2) Salsa – Not just for corn chips anymore! Several years ago salsa took hold of ketchup as the number one selling condiment in the US, but most people still think of it as a topping for French fries or a topping for Mexican food. Salsa is, and can be, much more. Consider visiting a farmer’s market or specialty food store on the morning of the barbecue and picking up a fresh sauce. Or better yet, spend a little time the night before the party and make a batch of homemade salsa. It really is very easy. And don’t limit yourself to the basic tomato / pepper sauce, be brave and try a sauce based on fruits or vegetables. Choose your sauce based on the meat and vegetables you’ll be serving, and invite your guests to top these foods for a new taste experience.
3) It’s almost embarrassing how much goodwill and praise can come from a simple salad. As cheap barbecue party ideas go, this is one of the best. Everybody makes potato and macaroni salad. Ask your friends to bring a plate and you will probably get 3 of each. You can impress everyone endlessly by making a colorful and easy fruit or pasta salad that not only looks great but tastes great too. Add a few grill items at the last minute for an unforgettable touch.
4) Sides – Go beyond salad! So you’ve brought your awesome (albeit cheap) salad. But now think beyond other side dishes. What comes to mind? If you’re like most people, the ear of corn comes to mind. There is nothing wrong with this. But to really impress your guests, think about adding an unusual side or two that will complement the main dish. And remember that the sides don’t have to be just vegetables. Think about the possibilities of fruits, seafood, and even meats.
5) Desserts – Why not use the fire? Okay, you have to have dessert. You probably want something cold (homemade ice cream, maybe?) And some candy for the kids. But since the fire is still hot, why not consider really impressing your friends by preparing an additional dessert or two on the grill? Make homemade ice cream (always a reasonably cheap option) AND grilled dessert to go with it and you’ll be considered a god of the party for years to come.
Since most barbecue parties feature the same staples, these inexpensive party food ideas will help any weekend steakhouse impress their guests. Get it right and your friends will invite you to every party and ask for an invite to yours.