Saving Money on Grilling

For example, I'll grill up the entire package of hot dogs and my sons will eat 1 or 2 each. The rest are stored for quick weekday lunches or snacks with that great smokey flavor. Leftover grilled chicken is used often on salads. Any leftover meat can be used in stir fry or soups easily. I get a lot of my meat at Costco, which has good prices and wonderful meat.

Our butcher sells meat "scraps", small cuts of meat left over when trimming bigger cuts, for less than a dollar a pound. I buy these to use on the grill with veggies as shishkabobs.

You can get away with using less expensive cuts of meat, if you marinate them with beer for an hour or so before grilling. It helps break down and tenderize the meat, and leaves a wonderful flavor. Don't worry about the alcohol, it all cooks away leaving only the flavor (and no, it doesn't taste like beer ). You can also use barbecue or other sauces for basting the meat on the grill after the "beer bath" Yum yum yummy!

You can save money on charcoal by using an empty 2 pound coffee can as a charcoal starter. First, cut both ends off the can. Then, using the pointed end of a can and jar opener, punch holes all around the bottom end--each hole can be about 1/2 inch apart. Using a pair of pliers, squish the metal you punched out to the inside of the can, so that there are no sharp edges to deal with. Your handy dandy charcoal starter is done, but you may want to punch a small hole at opposite sides on the top and insert a thick wire and loop it over the can to make a wire bail or handle to lift it with.

Place your charcoal lighter on the grill that holds the coals. Now, put a sheet of crumpled up newspaper (I've used dryer lint in a pinch) in the bottom of the can, fill the rest of the can with charcoal (you don't have to use the easy light stuff, just regular inexpensive charcoal), and light the paper through one of the holes on the bottom.

The flames will work their way up through the charcoal, effectively lighting every piece. Leave the charcoal in the can about 15 minutes, or until all coals have white ash on the outside. Lift the can off and distribute the coals for cooking. Make sure to use a hot pad or oven mitt or a pair of pliers when removing the can, as it is really hot! No icky taste of lighter fluid, and no danger of a child getting little hands on the toxic liquid.

If you have a large grill and need more coals, add another coffee can on top of the other one--no holes need to be punched in the second one, or use more than one starter at a time.

I cut my steaks in strips, that way people can take as much or as little as they want. I found that there is less waste. I also make a few different types of salads. People want a little of everything and less of the meat. This works for me.

We only buy that meat that we grill at SAM'S. We also grill extra for eating throughout the week, makes it all worth while!

SAM'S has the best meat for the lowest price, unbelievable deals! Yes, I have to repackage when I get home since there's just two of us but we share in that work and are ready for it before we go to SAM'S. This means correct packaging materials and enough of them. Once you've gone to SAM'S, you won't go back to your local grocery store. We would not even be BUYING meat to grill if we did not buy at SAM'S. It's just too expensive at the Publix or even Walmart and Walmart does not have the same quality as SAMS. It's the way it is!

Before you grill, plan to shop smart. Then your budget will be easy to live with if you've correctly done your homework!

I agree that Sam's has great meat. I've noticed that when I get there early in the day they've marked down some packages of meat, making them super deals. Their boneless pork ribs are out of this world! We use Dale's Steak Seasoning to marinate more challenging cuts of meat. Also, let the meat get close to room temperature before grilling and cook it slowly. Happy Grilling!

Feel free to post your summer grilling tips below.