National BBQ Week is finally here in the UK, starting from the 4th of July 2022 and amazingly just in time for the heatwave!
Nobody loves a BBQ more than us Brits. With the sun shining, friends laughing, kids playing, drinks flowing – and dad stood there looking extremely smug in his apron – there really is nothing like it.
However, we understand that everyone is having to make cutbacks where they can this summer to help save the pennies as much as possible. So if you’re looking to play the perfect host this summer, whilst keeping the costs down, read on to find out more.
The Planning & Cooking
Take Your Time With It
One of the most important things to remember when hosting a BBQ, is not to BBQ everything all at once!
You may have bought enough burgers and sausages to feed the rest of the street, but these will still keep for your next BBQ if you just pop them in the freezer, so don’t feel obliged to throw them all on at once.
Instead, just cook what you need to begin with and leisurely put more food on to cook as and when you need it. This will help you reduce food waste and save you money!
Have All of Your Utensils Handy
A BBQ can end up in a burnt mess if you don’t have your utensils handy and ready to go, and nobody wants a burnt sausage!
Make sure you have an array of utensils such as tongs and spatulas from Wayfair on hand next to your cooking station so that you can cook and serve like a pro.
Ask About Dietary Requirements
Before you even start planning what food to buy from Morrisons, the perfect host should always ask their guests about any dietary requirements.
If anyone is vegan, celiac, or allergic to nuts, for example, then you will have to be extremely mindful about the types of food you purchase and make sure you have something for everyone.
Don’t Use Excess Fuel
There’s no need to fill your BBQ with mountains of charcoal. One layer of charcoal from B&Q should be perfect for rustling up some food for at least an hour or two.
And if your BBQ runs on gas, then we all know how much the price of that has risen lately! Don’t think you always need to use the highest setting on your gas BBQ.
And once you have gotten the BBQ going and got it hot, then be sure to close the lid where possible to keep the heat in.
The Food & Drink
Don’t Overlook the Classics
You may feel like burgers and hot dogs are kind of ‘been there and done that’. But when it comes to a BBQ, nothing can beat the typical BBQ classics!
You don’t need to overthink it and try to make anything fancy. The basics are generally the cheapest to buy, and you’ll certainly not have any complaints.
Make a Huge Salad
If there’s ever a time that a salad goes down really well, then it’s at a BBQ. A salad is a low-calorie and low-cost option and takes very little work to prepare.
A large salad can go a really long way and will be a hit with everyone on a warm’s summer day – and you can make it accessible for all dietary requirements. You can get all your fresh salad delivered from stores like Ocado.
Get Creative with Cheap Meats
If you want something extra a little out of the ordinary, then have a think about getting creative at home using cheap meats.
Chicken thighs are a great example of a low-cost protein that, with a little bit of pizzaz added, can be a super tasty meal. You can marinate it in a heap of different flavours or spices, or even make your own Greek-style gyros meat with the help of a couple of skewers.
Speak to Your Local Butcher
Especially in the summer season, butchers like Sausageman always have great deals on bulk packs of BBQ meat.
If you’re looking for produce that is super fresh as well as inexpensive, then your local butcher is always the best place to go.
It will also take all of the thinking out of what meats you should buy, as your butcher can provide recommendations and will have pre-made BBQ packs ready to go.
Fill Up on Yummy Side Dishes
We know that meat and fish can be expensive, so be sure to include loads of tasty side dishes for your guests to fill up on.
Things like couscous, pasta, potatoes, pork pies, sausage rolls etc from Love Health Hate Waste. are all perfect side dishes for a warm sunny day. And best of all, you can often pick these up from your local supermarket for next to nothing.
Don’t Forget Veggies
Last but certainly not least, don’t forget your veggies from Buy Whole Foods Online!
It has to be said that vegetables are generally super low-cost to buy, especially if you buy them in season.
You could make vegetable kebabs, Mediterranean roasted vegetables and loads more. Most of these, again, should be able to cater for all of your guests and are a great way to add some variety to your BBQ – without breaking the bank.
