When I think about summer the first thing that comes to mind is grilling! My favorite thing about summer is enjoying some time outdoors with good friends, a tasty drink and amazing food fresh off the grill. With that said grilling can get expensive when you factor in meat, side dishes, charcoal, propane and other supplies.
In my household we fire up the grill at least three nights a week, so I’ve had to get creative with keeping the costs down. Here are a few of my tips on how to save money when grilling.
How to Save Money When Grilling
Select Your Meat Carefully – Selecting the type of meat you want to grill can make or break your budget. Most grocery stores are pretty good about having different cuts of meat on sale each week and during the summer months it’s usually a cut you can grill with. Also, pay attention to the price per pound at the various stores in your area. For almost five years I was picking up a 3 pound tri-tip at a big box grocery store in my area. I was easily spending over $20 each time! About six months ago I noticed that a small mom and pop grocery store was selling the same size tri-tip with the fat trimmed off and at a much lower price! So not only do I save money, I was get more meat for my money. You can use the Favado app to help you find the best deals on meat in your area.
Buy meat from a wholesaler. Companies such as Zaycon, cut out the middle man and allow customers to buy large quantities of meat monthly or quarterly from frozen or refrigerated trucks at a deep discount. Visit Zaycon’s site to see when they are coming to your area. Used code NEW22 on your first order from Zaycon to save 22% off your order.
Also, don’t feel like you have to grill up steak. Fish, chicken, hot dogs, burgers and sausage links are all great options that can save you some money. If you are vegetarian you can still enjoy a grilled dinner, throw some vegetables on that grill! You will love the flavor.
Stop wasting money on overpriced marinades. A marinade for your meat can cost you $4 to $10! Instead go to the butcher at your grocery store and ask him to put a marinade on your steak. Almost every grocery store will provide this service free of charge. You can also make your marinade from scratch or substitute salad dressing for an inexpensive, but flavorful marinade.
Saving on Charcoal – Charcoal can get expensive, especially if you are grilling one or more times per week. In my area I don’t come across a lot of coupons for charcoal but when I do I’m clipping away. Keep an eye out for coupons and store sales. I have found some of the best prices on charcoal to be at Home Depot and Lowes. I can buy a large bag at a fraction of what the grocery store charges.
Saving on Propane – Depending on where you live a brand new propane tank for your grill will run you $30 to $50. Thankfully, once you use up the propane you don’t have to buy a brand new tank. Most grocery stores and gas stations offer refills at a discounted rate. Look into the different brands and compare the prices. I save about $6 each time I fill up my propane tank because I switched to a less expensive brand.
Making Side Dishes on the Grill – If you already have the grill heated up, you might as well prepare side dishes on the grill. You can make bread, grilled vegetables and even a pot of beans. Making your side dishes on the grill saves you money since you don’t have to heat up the house by cooking on the stove top. Not to mention anything cooked on the grill just gives it a great flavor!
How do you save money when grilling?
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