20 Cheap and Easy Grilling Recipes For Summer and Beyond

POPSUGAR Photography
Damn Delicious
POPSUGAR Photography
Damn Delicious

Summer calls for grilling, but it doesn't have to be intimidating or make a dent in your wallet. If you're looking for affordable grilling recipes that don't skimp on the flavor, skip the grilled shrimp or rib-eye steak and opt for these 20 foolproof recipes anyone can make. Ground beef, skirt steak, pork chops, chicken thighs, and ground turkey are some of the most affordable cuts of meat, and you'll find mouthwatering ways to grill those (plus vegetables and dessert), ahead.

01
Grilled Hot Dogs
POPSUGAR Photography | Nicole Perry

Grilled Hot Dogs

Grilled hot dogs may be predictable, but they're basically a requirement at any BBQ, and their cheap price tag makes them ideal for feeding a crowd.

Get the recipe: grilled hot dogs

02
Grilled Fish Tacos
POPSUGAR Photography | Anna Monette Roberts

Grilled Fish Tacos

Choose a cheaper fish like tilapia, marinate it for 15 minutes in lime juice and oil, and you're on your way to heavenly homemade fish tacos.

Get the recipe: grilled fish tacos

03
Grilled Chicken Thighs and Wings With Barbecue Sauce
POPSUGAR Photography

Grilled Chicken Thighs and Wings With Barbecue Sauce

Bone-in chicken thighs are one of the cheapest cuts of meat out there, and this flavorful BBQ rub of orange peels, chili powder, and black pepper is the ultimate match.

Get the recipe: grilled chicken thighs and wings with barbecue sauce

04
Beer-Brined Grilled Chicken Breasts
POPSUGAR Photography | Anna Monette Roberts

Beer-Brined Grilled Chicken Breasts

All you need for the juiciest beer-brined grilled chicken is budget-friendly chicken breasts and your favorite light beer (no IPA necessary).

Get the recipe: beer-brined grilled chicken breasts

05
Buffalo Turkey Burgers
POPSUGAR Photography

Buffalo Turkey Burgers

Ground turkey is even cheaper than ground chicken, and this buffalo-blue-cheese topping ensures it's full of flavor, too.

Get the recipe: buffalo turkey burgers

06
Queso Cheeseburger
POPSUGAR Photography | Anna Monette Roberts

Queso Cheeseburger

This is as low fuss as it gets: form patties of ground beef, and top the grilled burgers with your favorite store-bought (or homemade) queso.

Get the recipe: queso cheeseburger

07
Grilled Watermelon Pizza
POPSUGAR Photography

Grilled Watermelon Pizza

Treat your guests to an unexpected watermelon dish by throwing sliced watermelon on the grill and making a Mediterranean "pizza."

Get the recipe: grilled watermelon pizza

08
Grilled Corn With Parmesan and Basil
POPSUGAR Photography | Nicole Perry

Grilled Corn With Parmesan and Basil

Grilled corn on the cob is nearly perfect with butter, but parmesan cheese and basil make it even better.

Get the recipe: grilled corn with parmesan and basil

09
Hand-Ground Sirloin Burger
POPSUGAR Photography | Anna Monette Roberts

Hand-Ground Sirloin Burger

Sirloin tips are one of the more affordable steak options, and you can grind them in a food processor to make the best-ever burger patty.

Get the recipe: America's Test Kitchen burger

10
Grilled Nectarines With Ice Cream
POPSUGAR Photography | Anna Monette Roberts

Grilled Nectarines With Ice Cream

Grilling nectarines brings out their sweet flavors and juiciness even more, and it takes mere minutes.

Get the recipe: grilled nectarines with ice cream

11
Chipotle-Honey-Lime Chicken Kabobs
POPSUGAR Photography | Sarah Lipoff

Chipotle-Honey-Lime Chicken Kabobs

Take plain-old chicken skewers to the next level with a quick and easy chipotle yogurt sauce for dipping.

Get the recipe: chipotle-honey-lime chicken kabobs

12
Bacon-Wrapped Hot Dogs
POPSUGAR Photography | Nicole Perry

Bacon-Wrapped Hot Dogs

Not a single person will be mad if you're the one who brings bacon-wrapped hot dogs to the party.

Get the recipe: bacon-wrapped hot dogs

13
Juicy Lucy Burger
POPSUGAR Photography

Juicy Lucy Burger

Transform staples like ground beef and American cheese into something epic by making an iconic Juicy Lucy, or inside-out cheeseburger.

Get the recipe: Juicy Lucy burger

14
Postgrill Marinated Skirt Steak
POPSUGAR Photography | Nicole Perry

Postgrill Marinated Skirt Steak

Skirt steak is one of the most affordable types of steak, and with an easy soy-sauce marinade, it's one of the most delicious, too.

Get the recipe: postgrill marinated skirt steak

15
Lemon-Basil Grilled Chicken Breasts
POPSUGAR Photography | Nicole Perry

Lemon-Basil Grilled Chicken Breasts

With a little help from lemon juice, olive oil, and basil, you can transform chicken breasts into one of the tastiest grilled entrees ever.

Get the recipe: lemon-basil grilled chicken breasts

16
Grilled Vegetable Tacos
POPSUGAR Photography | Lauren Hendrickson

Grilled Vegetable Tacos

Skip the meat altogether and throw your favorite vegetables on the grill for an easy vegetarian taco. Top it with salsa, cotija cheese, cilantro, or guacamole.

Get the recipe: grilled vegetable tacos

17
Vegetable Kabobs
Damn Delicious

Vegetable Kabobs

Vegetables like red onions, bell peppers, and Summer squash won't break the bank, and they make for fantastic grilled kabobs.

Get the recipe: vegetable kabobs

18
Grilled Pork Chops With South Carolina BBQ Sauce
Chili Pepper Madness

Grilled Pork Chops With South Carolina BBQ Sauce

Bone-in pork chops are on the cheaper side, and they're irresistible when they're grilled and slathered in BBQ sauce.

Get the recipe: grilled pork chops with South Carolina BBQ sauce

19
Grilled Potatoes
Cookin' Canuck

Grilled Potatoes

Swap traditional potato salad for warm, grilled potatoes with a smoky kick.

Get the recipe: grilled potatoes with mushrooms and onions

20
Grilled Corn Salad
Well Plated

Grilled Corn Salad

The only way to eat fresh corn during the Summer is with grill marks — it's truly the best.

Get the recipe: grilled corn salad