How to BBQ on a budget
Make the most of the bank holiday with thrifty chef Miguel Barclay’s money-saving tips and delicious recipes that cost just £1 per portion
With a bank holiday weekend coming up and long summer days on the horizon, it’s time to dust off the patio set and fire up the barbecue.
But according to money.co.uk, the average cost of a family barbecue comes in at £42.12, so cooking up a storm outside can be an expensive affair.
Top chef Miguel Barclay, author of bestselling cookbook series One Pound Meals, is here to help.
“With a few tricks, you can transform a costly barbecue into a truly economical experience,” says Miguel.
Here are his money saving tips as well as recipes that cost just £1 per portion.
CUT DOWN ON MEAT
Barbecues can be expensive if you eat lots of meat, so cut down the amount on offer. Make tacos – this means you can cook one large bit of meat and then cut it into smaller pieces, which are then eaten alongside cheaper ingredients like corn and lettuce.
SAVE ON SIDES
When it comes to the other dishes, get clever with inexpensive sides. A potato salad is filling and cheap to make, as is mac and cheese or couscous.
When it comes to coleslaw, save by making your own with shredded cabbage and grated carrot.
CHAR YOUR VEG
Cooking on the barbecue gives a wonderful depth of flavour to meat. But it works for veg too, so have fun experimenting with the cheapest options. An onion costs about 5p – cut one into chunks and caramelise it on the barbecue, that’s just a few pence per person. Broccoli, peppers and cauliflower all work well too. Just brush with oil and season with oregano, salt and pepper.
BULK OUT SALADS
Salads are key to a barbecue and you can make them go further by choosing your ingredients carefully. When it comes to cheese, choose feta as a little of its strong flavour goes a long way. Combine it with peas, mint and chilli for a delicious dish.
Or combine bread, tomatoes and mozzarella to make a filling and delicious panzanella salad.
And when it comes to meat, chuck a rasher of bacon on the barbecue, then shred it. Its rich, salty flavour adds depth to a simple salad.
POT LUCK
A barbecue tends to be a shared experience, so why not save money by having your guests bring a dish with them. You could theme it to make the flavours consistent, or opt for surprises, which can be really fun. Anything goes with a barbecue and kids can have a go too, making cornflake cakes and other easy treats.
KEEP LEFTOVERS
While cooking, try to gauge how much people want. You don’t have to cook everything you’ve prepared. Keep some stuff back.
After your guests have gone, don’t throw any food away – it’ll keep in the fridge and freezer for days and weeks to come.
PUD FOR PENNIES
Bringing a dessert out draws a nice line under a barbecue and signals to guests that the main course is over.
Keep it simple and use the still-hot grill by chopping up a pineapple into
long pieces and charring it with a bit of brown sugar. For adults you could soak the pieces in rum beforehand too, then serve the lot with ice cream.
PUNCH BOWL
When it comes to drinks, it’s cheaper to buy bulk than individual cans or cartons. So why not make a big jug of punch? You could drink it out of mugs and jars to save buying throwaway paper cups.
PICK ONE MEAL
Try not to turn your barbecue into an all-day eating event, as this will hike up the cost. Choose whether to feed guests at lunch, dinner or somewhere in between to hit both times.
■■Fast & Fresh One Pound Meals (Headline Home, £16.99); Green One Pound Meals (Headline Home, £16.99); Slimming One Pound Meals (Headline Home, £20), all by Miguel Barclay are available now