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Looking for a way to stretch your spending at the grocery store? Interested in making your own BBQ, but want to keep costs down? Enjoy home-grilled meat at bargain prices with these cheap BBQ meats!
In the true spirit of BBQ being for everyone, we present to you this list of affordable meat alternatives for barbecuing/grilling. Instead of breaking the bank with a New York Strip or a Filet Mignon, save some cash as you enjoy homemade BBQ.
Follow this thrifty list of inexpensive meats to take charge of your BBQ lifestyle!
TOP CHEAP BBQ MEATS FOR YOUR GRILL/SMOKER
Cheap BBQ Meats Favorite: Ribs
Nothing quite satisfies as well as a big plate of ribs when it comes to BBQ. As sweet as its BBQ sauce may be, ribs get a whole lot sweeter when you consider that they are among the best cheap BBQ meats available for your grill. Not only that, ribs are also easy to grill due to their high fat content.
When looking for a proper set of ribs to take home, look for something that has more meat than fat, and has fewer bones (which take up most of this product’s weight).
Cheap BBQ Meats Classic: Brisket
As far as inexpensive cuts of meat go, brisket is one of the cheapest you can find. For best results, this choice cut for hardcore smokers demands a slow cook time with equally low cooking temperatures.
When looking for a brisket to use, pick one that has a good layer of fat. This will provide flavor and moisture without becoming too greasy.
Unfortunately, the tradeoff with brisket is that there is some upfront trimming that needs to be done, requiring a sacrifice of both time and resources. The good news is that these problems can be rectified with the next entry…
Chuck Roast
For those looking for a labor-lite option to the brisket, the chuck roast is far easier and quicker to cook.
Commonly known as the “poor man’s ribeye”, chuck eye steaks are a great option for grillers looking for a flavorful steak that is priced more competitively than its peers.
However, these steaks don’t come ready-made for your grill. To prepare them for cooking, chuck eye steaks need to be soaked in a marinade to soften them up, often overnight. For best results, avoid overcooking these cuts by serving them medium-rare.
Flat steaks
Although they are not as inexpensive as they once were, flat steaks are a popular choice when it comes to cheap cuts for your grill. Once used as filler for ground beef, the flat steak has made its way into such notable recipes as fajitas and tacos.
Again, like other cheap BBQ meats on this list, flat steaks require prior work before cooking. This tough cut of beef needs marinating in order to make it tender and easier to eat.
Pork Shoulder & Pork Butt
Pulled pork is one of the most famous types of BBQ that is known worldwide, and for good reason: Pork should and pork butt are easy to barbecue, and an inexpensive BBQ cut to buy.
Again, the mantra “low and slow” applies here. Take your time cooking this at lower temperatures to get the best results.
Pork butt is better suited for pulled pork recipes while pork should is ideal for recipes that call for slicing such as porchetta.
Whole Chickens
As the country that consumes the most chickens in the world, you’d think more Americans would know how to cut up a chicken. But because this is not the case, many Americans are left paying for the convenience of having the supermarket prepare our meat for us.
Instead, save money by buying your chickens whole and cutting them up at home. As well, this method allows home cooks to use the bones to make chicken stock.
Alternatively, another way around this for home grillers is to learn how to BBQ your chicken whole. This can involve spatchcocking, or the use of the beer can method.
Confused by the difference between “fryer” and “roaster” labels on whole chickens at the market? Here’s a quick explanation:
- “Fryer”: Younger, smaller chickens with quicker roasting times
- “Roaster”: Older, larger chickens with longer roasting times
Chicken Leg Quarters
Compared to the insatiable demand for chicken wings, chicken leg quarters have a lower cost due to their reduced demand. For this reason, this cut of chicken makes for a popular choice when it comes to cheap BBQ meats, especially when used with a tasty barbecue sauce.
As we noted in the last point, there are a lot of savings you can keep for yourself if you’re willing to put in the work. In the case of chicken leg quarters, you can make your own chicken thighs and drumsticks by cutting chicken leg quarters in half.
Cheap BBQ Meats Bonus: Hot Dogs
Although purists may take exception, hot dogs remain an inexpensive choice for grillers that want the most bang for their buck. What’s more, they remain popular at any backyard get-together because they are so easy to eat.
And yet, hot dogs have a usefulness that goes beyond the obvious. If you’re looking for a twist on an old classic, consider using hot dogs as the ingredients for your burnt ends. Simply throw in your smoker for an hour at 225°F, and you’re good to go!
Cheap BBQ Meats: Conclusion
Rising grocery prices shouldn’t have to dictate your grocery spending. By following this list of cheap BBQ meats and using a bit of ingenuity, your BBQ lifestyle shouldn’t have to be compromised.
Are you interested in getting a cooking thermometer for your smoker? Consider getting the ThermoPro TempSpike, the 100% wire-free thermometer that monitors temperatures from up to 500 feet away!
