Firing up the grill doesn't have to be expensive or complicated. In fact, all of our cheap grilling ideas are budget-friendly and easy to make!
45 Cheap Grilling Ideas
Updated Sep. 01, 2024
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Barbecued Picnic Chicken
Total Time: 1 hourMain Ingredients: Broiler chickens, brown sugar, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce
Level: Beginner
I like to serve this savory chicken at family picnics. Cooked on a covered grill, the poultry stays so tender and juicy. Everyone loves the zesty, slightly sweet homemade barbecue sauce—and it’s so easy to make. —Recipe contributor Priscilla Weaver, Hagerstown, Maryland
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Grilled Broccoli
Total Time: 25 minutesMain Ingredients: Broccoli, lemon juice, Parmesan cheese
Level: Beginner
I started using this recipe in 1987, when I began cooking light, and it’s been a favorite side dish ever since. With its lemon and Parmesan flavors, it once took second place in a cooking contest. —Recipe contributor Alice Nulle, Woodstock, Illinois
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Grilled Glazed Drummies
Total Time: 25 minutesMain Ingredients: Chicken drumettes, ketchup, soy sauce, honey
Level: Beginner
My family prefers these mild-tasting chicken wings more than the traditional hot wings. They are great for any gathering. —Recipe contributor Laura Mahaffey, Annapolis, Maryland
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Grilled Corn in Husks
Total Time: 40 minutesMain Ingredients: Corn, butter, Parmesan cheese
Level: Beginner
If you’re new to grilled corn in the husk, season the ears with butter, Parmesan cheese and parsley. It’s especially good! Be sure to give the corn a long soak before putting it on the grill. Hot off the grate, the kernels are moist and tender with a wonderful, sweet flavor. —Recipe contributor Nancy Zimmerman, Cape May Court House, New Jersey
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Grilled Turkey Breast
Total Time: 1 hour 35 minutesMain Ingredients: Turkey breast, soy sauce, brown sugar
Level: Advanced
You’ll want to give thanks for this mouthwatering, slightly sweet turkey! A hint of spice makes this one of our best turkey recipes ever. —Recipe contributor Tina Mirilovich, Johnstown, Pennsylvania
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Grilled Stone Fruits with Balsamic Syrup
Total Time: 20 minutesMain Ingredients: Peaches, nectarines, plums, balsamic vinegar
Level: Beginner
Get ready to experience another side of stone fruits. Hot off the rack, these grilled nectarines practically melt in your mouth. —Recipe contributor Sonya Labbe, West Hollywood, California
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Tailgate Sausages
Total Time: 20 minutesMain Ingredients: Italian sausage links, brat buns, provolone cheese
Level: Beginner
You’ll need just a handful of ingredients to fix these tasty sandwiches. Fully cooked sausages are placed in buns with cheese and topped with giardiniera, then wrapped in foil so they’re easy to transport and a breeze to grill. —Recipe contributor Matthew Hass, Ellison Bay, Wisconsin
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Grilled Potato Fans with Onions
Total Time: 55 minutesMain Ingredients: Potatoes, onions, butter
Level: Beginner
Looking for the ultimate grilled potato? These seasoned potato “fans” are filled with tender onions, roasted garlic cloves and savory Parmesan cheese. —Recipe contributor Sharon Crabtree, Graham, Washington
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Grilled Pineapple Chicken
Total Time: 20 minutesMain Ingredients: Chicken breast, pineapple juice, sherry
Level: Beginner
A trip to Hawaii is easy with this juicy grilled pineapple chicken. Simply give it a quick marinade, fire up the grill and let it sizzle. We love this low-carb recipe! —Recipe contributor Charlotte Rogers, Virginia Beach, Virginia
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Ginger-Glazed Grilled Honeydew
Total Time: 25 minutesMain Ingredients: Honeydew melon, ginger, peach preserves
Level: Beginner
If you’ve never grilled fruit like this before, you’re in for a real treat! I love the idea of cooking everything from appetizers to desserts on the grill. This grilled honeydew recipe is sweet and really light. —Recipe contributor Jacqui Correa, Landing, New Jersey
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Sweet Tea Barbecued Chicken
Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutesMain Ingredients: Chicken, barbecue sauce, sweet tea
Level: Beginner
Marinades sometimes use coffee or espresso, and that inspired me to try tea and apple juice to perk up this sauce. —Recipe contributor Kelly Williams, Forked River, New Jersey
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Grilled Asparagus
Total Time: 20 minutesMain Ingredients: Asparagus, barbecue sauce
Level: Beginner
Tender, with a delicious barbecue flavor, this grilled asparagus makes a perfect side dish for grilled meats. Don’t know how to cook asparagus on the grill? Just place the stalks on a double skewer. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
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Grilled Peach Sundaes
Total Time: 35 minutesMain Ingredients: Peaches, waffle bowls, vanilla ice cream
Level: Beginner
These peaches with a hint of grill flavor are sweet and juicy. We serve them in a waffle bowl with ice cream. That’s jackpot at our house. —Recipe contributor Nancy Dentler, Greensboro, North Carolina
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Orange-Spiced Chicken
Total Time: 20 minutesMain Ingredients: Chicken breast, orange juice concentrate, honey
Level: Beginner
Five ingredients are all you’ll need for this fast and extremely flavorful marinade. With one taste, it’ll become your most-requested chicken recipe! —Recipe contributor Debra Stevens, Lutz, Florida
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Easy Grilled Squash
Total Time: 20 minutesMain Ingredients: Butternut squash, olive oil, garlic
Level: Beginner
This is one of the best ways to prepare butternut squash and is great alongside grilled steak or chicken. As a bonus, butternut squash is full of vitamin A. —Recipe contributor Esther Horst, Monterey, Tennessee
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Potato-Sausage Foil Packs
Total Time: 50 minutesMain Ingredients: Turkey kielbasa, potatoes, onion
Level: Beginner
We had these smoky campfire bundles at a friend’s house for dinner and loved the simplicity of this great summer meal. Now we often make it for summer weeknight dinners. —Recipe contributor Alissa Keith, Forest, Virginia
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Romano Basil Turkey Breast
Total Time: 2 hoursMain Ingredients: Turkey breast, Romano cheese, basil
Level: Beginner
Guests will be impressed when you slice this golden, grilled turkey breast, dressed up with a flavorful layer of basil and cheese under the skin. —Recipe contributor Darlene Markham, Rochester, New York
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Bacon Cheeseburger
Total Time: 25 minutesMain Ingredients: Bacon strips, ground beef, hamburger buns, sharp cheddar cheese
Level: Beginner
Where can you get a juicy burger that is so superior to drive-thru fare? Right in your backyard with this delicious bacon cheeseburger recipe. —Recipe contributor Jackie Burns, Silverdale, Washington
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Blueberry-Rhubarb Crumble
Total Time: 1 hourMain Ingredients: Blueberries, rhubarb, sugar
Level: Beginner
A dollop of whipped topping adds a nice finishing touch to this satisfying crumble. Sometimes I drizzle a little flavored coffee creamer on top instead of the whipped topping. —Recipe contributor Nancy Sousley, Lafayette, Indiana
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Turkey Burgers
Total Time: 30 minutesMain Ingredients: Ground turkey, bread crumbs, hamburger buns
Level: Beginner
These juicy, tender patties on whole wheat buns make a wholesome, satisfying sandwich. We especially like to make grilled turkey burgers, but you could also pan-fry them. —Recipe contributor Sherry Hulsman, Elkton, Florida
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Chicken Pitas
Total Time: 30 minutesMain Ingredients: Chicken breast, Greek yogurt, pita pockets
Level: Advanced
I switched up my mom’s recipe to create this tasty pita pocket variation. It’s one of our favorite grilled chicken recipes and is perfect for warm days. The creamy cucumber sauce goes great with the fresh, crunchy veggies. —Recipe contributor Blair Lonergan, Rochelle, Virginia
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Mustard Turkey Cutlets
Total Time: 25 minutesMain Ingredients: Turkey breast cutlets, Dijon mustard, cornstarch
Level: Beginner
Grilled turkey cutlets are treated with a slightly sweet sauce that mustard-lovers will thoroughly enjoy. This recipe feels fancy, but it’s ideal for a weeknight. —Recipe contributor Deborah Williams, Peoria, Arizona
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Ultimate Grilled Pork Chops
Total Time: 30 minutesMain Ingredients: Pork rib chops, paprika, salt, sugar
Level: Beginner
A little brining and a special dry rub go a long way to making the perfect pork chop. Once you’ve mastered how to cook thick pork chops, you’ll be enjoying them all summer long. —Recipe contributor Matthew Hass, Franklin, Wisconsin
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Herbed Grilled Corn on the Cob
Total Time: 45 minutesMain Ingredients: Sweet corn, butter, basil, parsley
Level: Beginner
I’d never had grilled corn until last summer when my sister-in-law served it for us. What a treat! So simple, yet delicious, grilled corn is now a must on my summer menu. —Recipe contributor Angela Leinenbach, Mechanicsville, Virginia
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Pot of S’mores
Total Time: 25 minutesMain Ingredients: Graham crackers, chocolate chips, miniature marshmallows
Level: Beginner
Mom’s easy Dutch-oven version of the popular campout treat is so good and gooey. The hardest part is waiting for this to cool so you can devour it. Yum! —Recipe contributor June Dress, Meridian, Idaho
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Grilled Loaded Potato Rounds
Total Time: 30 minutesMain Ingredients: Potatoes, sour cream, cheddar cheese, bacon strips
Level: Beginner
My go-to recipe for outdoor potlucks is an awesome potato side. I prep everything beforehand, then assemble and grill at the party. Serve with sour cream, cheese, bacon and chives. —Recipe contributor Fay Moreland, Wichita Falls, Texas
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Grilled Sausage-Basil Pizzas
Total Time: 30 minutesMain Ingredients: Italian sausage links, naan flatbreads, tomato basil pasta sauce
Level: Beginner
We love basil recipes, and these easy little pizzas are a wonderful change of pace from the classic cookout menu. Let everybody go crazy with the toppings. —Recipe contributor Lisa Speer, Palm Beach, Florida
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Quick Barbecued Beans
Total Time: 25 minutesMain Ingredients: Kidney beans, great northern beans, pork and beans, barbecue sauce
Level: Beginner
Barbecued beans are a simple, classic recipe and cooking them on the grill adds great smoky flavor. —Recipe contributor Millie Vickery, Lena, Illinois
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Honey-Mustard Brats
Total Time: 25 minutesMain Ingredients: Bratwurst links, Dijon mustard, honey
Level: Beginner
Our honey mustard glaze gives every bite of these brats a sweet and punchy flavor. Everyone who tries them agrees they’re delicious. —Recipe contributor Lily Julow, Lawrenceville, Georgia
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Grilled Jalapenos
Total Time: 25 minutesMain Ingredients: Jalapeño peppers, pork sausage, bacon strips
Level: Beginner
When barbecuing for friends at home, I also use the grill to serve up hot appetizers. These crowd-pleasing stuffed peppers have a bit of bite. They were concocted by my son. —Recipe contributor Catherine Hollie, Cleveland, Texas
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Grilled Orange Chicken Thighs
Total Time: 30 minutesMain Ingredients: Chicken thighs, orange juice, sugar
Level: Beginner
This orangey chicken was the first meal I served my future husband. I chose it because it’s easy, but he thought it was amazing and gobbled it up. We were married three months later, so I guess it worked. —Recipe contributor Leah Harvath, Heber City, Utah
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Barley Beef Burgers
Total Time: 30 minutesMain Ingredients: Ground beef, barley, onion, hamburger buns
Level: Beginner
Barley adds another dimension to an old-fashioned hamburger. My husband and I really enjoy these juicy patties with onion and barbecue sauce mixed right in. —Recipe contributor Rosella Peters, Gull Lake, Saskatchewan
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Sausage Squash Kabobs
Total Time: 20 minutesMain Ingredients: Turkey kielbasa, summer squash, zucchini
Level: Beginner
Expect a crowd to gather around the grill when these flavorful kabobs are cooking. The zesty honey-mustard glaze gives a lovely sheen to the sausage and veggies. —Recipe contributor Lisa Malynn Kent, North Richland Hills, Texas.
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Can-Can Chicken
Total Time: 1 hours 45 minutesMain Ingredients: Broiler chicken, beer, onion powder, garlic powder
Level: Intermediate
Here’s a tasty take on the popular beer-can chicken. Once the bird is on the grill, the work’s basically done. And cleanup is a cinch—a must for a guy like me. —Recipe contributor Steve Bath, Lincoln, Nebraska
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Baby Back Ribs
Total Time: 6 hours 20 minutesMain Ingredients: Pork baby back ribs, onion, barbecue sauce
Level: Beginner
Slow-cook the ribs during the day and they will be ready to finish on the grill when you get home. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
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Grilled Angel Food Cake with Strawberries
Total Time: 15 minutesMain Ingredients: Angel food cake, strawberries, balsamic vinegar, butter
Level: Beginner
One night I goofed, accidentally using the balsamic butter I save for grilling chicken on my pound cake. What a delicious mistake that my entire family loved! For a patriotic look, add a drizzle of blueberry syrup. —Recipe contributor Tammy Hathaway, Freeman Township, Maine
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Big John’s Chili-Rubbed Ribs
Total Time: 1 hour 50 minutesMain Ingredients: Pork baby back ribs, chili powder, soy sauce, brown sugar
Level: Beginner
When my family thinks of summer grilling, it’s ribs all the way. Our Asian-inspired recipe is a welcome change from the usual barbecue-sauce versions. —Recipe contributor Ginger Sullivan, Cutler Bay, Florida
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Grilled Tilapia Piccata
Total Time: 25 minutesMain Ingredients: Tilapia, lemon juice, basil
Level: Beginner
We aren’t big fish eaters, but a friend made this for us, and we couldn’t believe how wonderful it was! Now we eat it regularly. I love making it for guests because it’s simple, looks lovely and tastes restaurant-worthy. —Recipe contributor Beth Cooper, Columbus, Ohio
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Grilled Pineapple with Lime Dip
Total Time: 30 minutesMain Ingredients: Pineapple, lime juice, cream cheese
Level: Beginner
Serve this dish as an appetizer or a dessert— the choice is yours! If desired, the pineapple spears can be rolled in flaked coconut before grilling. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
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Jalapeno-Lime Chicken Drumsticks
Total Time: 25 minutesMain Ingredients: Red jalapeño pepper jelly, lime juice, chicken drumsticks
Level: Beginner
Bottled hot sauce isn’t my thing, so I developed a fresh pepper glaze for grilled chicken. These drumsticks practically fly off the plate. —Recipe contributor Kristeen DeVorss, Farmington, New Mexico
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Grilled Onion & Skirt Steak Tacos
Total Time: 20 minutesMain Ingredients: Skirt steak, beer, spring onions, corn tortillas
Level: Beginner
My grandparents came from Mexico, and I grew up watching my grandmother and mother in the kitchen. This steak marinated in beer and lime juice honors their passion for cooking. —Recipe contributor Adan Franco, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
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Spicy Grilled Eggplant
Total Time: 20 minutesMain Ingredients: Eggplants, Cajun seasoning, lime juice
Level: Beginner
This side dish goes well with any meat you might also be grilling. Thanks to the Cajun seasoning, the zesty eggplant gets more attention than an ordinary veggie. —Recipe contributor Greg Fontenot, The Woodlands, Texas
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Grilled Potato Packets
Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutesMain Ingredients: Red potatoes, bacon, cheddar cheese
Level: Beginner
Potatoes require a little extra time on the grill, so remember to give these pouches first dibs on the flames. —Recipe contributor Anna Bjornn, Rexburg, Idaho
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Grilled Tilapia with Pineapple Salsa
Total Time: 20 minutesMain Ingredients: Tilapia, pineapple, cilantro, green pepper
Level: Beginner
Years ago I found a grilled tilapia recipe in a seafood cookbook. The pineapple salsa with cilantro has a touch of spice and goes so well with the flaky, tender fish. —Recipe contributor Beth Fleming, Downers Grove, Illinois
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Grilled Cabbage
Total Time: 30 minutesMain Ingredients: Cabbage, butter, onion
Level: Beginner
The first time I made this, I couldn’t believe how good it was! We served it with grilled burgers and our dinner was complete. I never thought I’d skip dessert because I was full from too much cabbage! —Recipe contributor Elizabeth Wheeler, Thornville, Ohio
Cheap Grilling Ideas FAQ
What is the best food to grill on a budget?
If you’re looking to stretch your dollar, consider buying vegetables that are in season and inexpensive cuts of meat. Skip the fancy cuts, buy in bulk and talk to your butcher for the best deals.
How do I feed a crowd on a budget?
Hosting a party on a budget can be challenging. But if you’re wise with your menu, it’s possible to feed a group without going overboard financially. Choose affordable meat, like chicken thighs and drumsticks, or make tacos instead of hamburgers to make your meat go further. You could also ask partygoers to bring a dish to the gathering.
Originally Published: July 02, 2020
