Summer Barbeques on a Budget

Throwing a barbeque this Independence Day is a fun way to celebrate with friends. Don’t worry if you are on a tight budget, you can still celebrate in style! Check out the article below that I wrote for meal planning/recipe site Food on the Table, with my tips on how to throw a summer barbeque on a budget! And if you have any good tips to throw a BBQ on a budget please share in the comments section below!!! I would love to hear them!

 (Oh and the recipe for Chicken Parmesan Burgers at the bottom of this post is awesome!!)

With school out for summer, outdoor activities are in full swing. One fun summer time activity is outdoor grilling. Barbeques are a great way to celebrate summer holidays such as Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Father’s Day or to simply celebrate the carefree days of summer. Even if you are on a tight budget this summer, a laid-back backyard barbecue is an inexpensive way to enjoy time with friends and family.

To save money without sacrificing all the fun, simply follow these tips, for a budget friendly barbecue:

• The meat: One way to keep costs low is to choose only one protein to serve. If hot dogs are on sale at the grocery store, grill hot dogs and set up a hot dog ‘bar’ with all the popular toppings. Also save money by being resourceful and using what you already have on hand. Grill chicken or shrimp if that is what you have. Keeping it simple with only one main protein saves time and money.

• Side dishes: Potato salad, coleslaw, and baked beans are all popular and fairly inexpensive barbeque side dishes. However, if you are looking to keep things easy and inexpensive, stick with fresh veggies. Summertime means an overwhelming amount of fresh, seasonal vegetables which are available at low prices. Corn on the cob, zucchini and squash all grill beautifully.
• Dessert: With fresh summer fruit available try grilling some peaches, making a cobbler or simply enjoying some fresh berries with homemade whipped cream.

• Beverages: Lemonade and ice tea are extremely inexpensive and will keep your guests cool in the heat of the summer. If you are looking for a cost effective way to serve alcoholic beverages, choose one variety of beer to serve, one specialty drink or ask guests to bring their own.

• Serving: While paper plates and plastic cups may be convenient for gatherings, they add extra unnecessary costs. Using what you have on hand will keep your shopping list down to the essentials.

Looking to add a little variety to your grilling menu this summer? Try these flavorful Chicken
Parmesan Burgers.

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Chicken Parmesan Burgers
by Heather of Kitchen Concoctions: www.kitchen-concoctions.com
Printable Version

Prep Time: 10 minutes Cook Time: 10 minutes Serves 4-5
Patties:
1 pound ground chicken
1/3 cup Italian bread crumbs
1/4 cup marinara sauce
¼ cup parmesan cheese, shredded
½ tablespoon Italian seasoning
2 tablespoons Italian parsley, chopped
1 egg

Burgers:
1/3 cup marinara sauce
5 slices mozzarella cheese
5 buns
Spinach
Mix burger ingredients together and shape into 4 to 5 patties.

Heat grill to medium. Lightly oil grill grate. Place patties on grill and cook 5 minutes per side or until cooked through.
Spread approximately 1 tablespoon marinara sauce on each bun.

Top bun with cooked chicken patty. Top patties with additional marinara sauce and mozzarella cheese. Top with spinach and serve.