How to Throw a Cheap Summer BBQ on a Budget – The Ultimate UK Guide
Why Summer BBQs Don’t Have to Cost a Fortune
When the sun finally makes an appearance in the UK, there’s nothing quite like firing up the barbecue and inviting friends and family round. But between the food, the drinks, the equipment and all the extras, a simple garden get-together can quickly spiral into a surprisingly expensive day. The good news is that with a bit of planning and some smart shopping strategies, you can host a fantastic summer BBQ that tastes incredible without blowing your budget.
Whether you’re feeding five people or fifteen, this guide walks you through every element of a budget-friendly BBQ – from sourcing cheap equipment to feeding a crowd for less. Let’s get stuck in.
Budget BBQ Equipment – What You Actually Need
Before you even think about the food, you need something to cook it on. The UK barbecue market is packed with overpriced options, but you absolutely don’t need to spend a fortune.
Disposable vs Cheap Reusable BBQs
If you’re only planning a one-off BBQ, a disposable grill from the supermarket costs around £3 to £5 and does the job perfectly for small groups. However, if you think you’ll barbecue more than once a summer, investing in a basic reusable charcoal BBQ makes far more sense. Supermarkets like Asda, Aldi and Lidl regularly sell kettle-style BBQs for under £20 during the summer months.
Essential Equipment on a Budget
- BBQ tongs – £1-£2 from pound shops or supermarkets’ value ranges
- Charcoal – buy in bulk from discount stores. A large bag from Aldi or Lidl costs around £4 and lasts multiple BBQs
- Aluminium foil – essential for wrapping vegetables and fish. Cheap supermarket own-brand works fine
- Reusable skewers – bamboo skewers cost about £1 for a large pack and are perfect for kebabs
- Burger and sausage tools – a basic spatula from a pound shop does the job
Avoid the temptation to buy expensive BBQ tool sets. A pair of tongs and a spatula will cover almost everything you need to cook.
Feeding a Crowd for Less – Smart BBQ Food Shopping
The food is where most BBQ budgets go wrong. People overbuy, choose premium cuts and forget that simple, well-seasoned food is often the most popular.
Meat on a Budget
- Sausages – Buy multipacks from Aldi, Lidl or Iceland. A pack of 30 sausages costs around £3-£4 and feeds a crowd
- Burgers – Frozen beef burgers in bulk work out at roughly 30-40p per burger. Asda’s frozen 20-pack is excellent value
- Chicken thighs and drumsticks – Significantly cheaper than chicken breasts and far better suited to BBQ cooking. A large tray from any supermarket costs £3-£5 and feeds 6-8 people
- Bacon – Cheap streaky bacon wrapped around chicken or sausages creates impressive BBQ food for pennies
For the best deals, check the reduced section of your supermarket late in the day. Meat that’s nearing its use-by date is often reduced by 50% or more and can be frozen immediately for your BBQ.
Vegetarian and Vegan BBQ Options That Cost Pennies
- Veggie skewers – Halloumi, peppers, red onion and courgette on bamboo skewers. Halloumi from Lidl costs about £1.79 per block
- Portobello mushrooms – Marinated in a little oil and garlic, these make fantastic burger alternatives at a fraction of the cost of meat substitutes
- Corn on the cob – A supermarket multipack costs £1-£2 and provides several portions. Wrap in foil with butter and grill directly on the BBQ
- Jacket potatoes – Wrap in foil and bake in the coals. Potatoes are incredibly cheap and filling
Sides That Fill People Up Cheaply
Sides are your secret weapon for feeding a crowd on a budget. People fill up on sides and eat less meat, which is where the costs add up.
- Potato salad – A bag of potatoes costs £1, mayonnaise costs 80p, and you’ve got enough potato salad for ten people
- Coleslaw – A whole white cabbage costs about 50p. Grate it with carrots and mix with mayonnaise for a coleslaw that costs under £1 total
- Pasta salad – A 500g bag of pasta costs 30p. Add chopped peppers, sweetcorn and a bottle of dressing for a massive bowl that costs under £2
- Rolls and bread – Supermarket own-brand bread rolls cost 30-50p for a pack of six. Toast them briefly on the BBQ for that authentic taste
- Green salad – A bag of mixed leaves costs 50p. Add tomatoes and cucumber for a fresh side under £1.50
Drinks Without the Price Tag
Soft drinks and alcohol can easily become the most expensive part of any BBQ. Here’s how to keep costs down.
- Make your own iced drinks – Freeze squash or fruit juice in ice lolly moulds for colourful ice pops that double as drinks coolers
- Buy multipacks – Supermarket own-brand cola and lemonade costs around £2 for a pack of eight cans
- Pimm’s alternative – Mix cheap gin with lemonade, chopped fruit and mint for a Pimm’s-style drink at a fraction of the cost
- Ask guests to BYOB – Most people are happy to bring their own drinks to a BBQ. It’s completely normal in the UK and saves you a small fortune
Money-Saving Tips for Hosting a Summer BBQ
Ask People to Bring a Dish
Potluck-style BBQs are increasingly popular in the UK and there’s no shame in asking guests to contribute. Assign each person a category – sides, desserts, drinks – and you’ll find people are genuinely pleased to get involved. It makes the event feel collaborative rather than one-sided.
Buy in Bulk and Freeze
If you spot a good deal on BBQ food, buy extra and freeze it. Frozen burgers, sausages and chicken keep for months and mean you’re never paying full price when BBQ season arrives. Iceland and Farmfoods are particularly good for frozen meat deals.
Use Loyalty Schemes and Vouchers
Before your BBQ shop, check your Tesco Clubcard, Sainsbury’s Nectar or Morrisons More points. Many people have enough points saved up to cover a significant chunk of their BBQ shopping. Also check apps like Too Good To Go for discounted food that would otherwise go to waste.
Cook Smart to Reduce Waste
Cook food in batches rather than all at once. People’s eyes are bigger than their stomachs at BBQs, and cooking everything upfront leads to waste. Start with a moderate amount and cook more as needed. Leftover cooked sausages and burgers can be used in pasta dishes, sandwiches or risotto the next day.
Make Your Own Marinades
Pre-marinated meat costs significantly more than plain meat. A simple marinade of oil, lemon juice, garlic and herbs costs pennies and tastes better than shop-bought versions. Mix honey and mustard for chicken, or BBQ sauce and brown sugar for ribs.
Hosting on a Tight Budget – A Sample Shopping List
Here’s what a budget BBQ for eight people might look like:
- 30 frozen sausages – £3.50
- 20 frozen beef burgers – £4.00
- Chicken thighs (large tray) – £4.00
- 2 blocks halloumi – £3.58
- 6 corn on the cob – £1.50
- 2 bags potatoes – £2.00
- Cabbage and carrots for coleslaw – £1.00
- Mayonnaise – £0.80
- 2 packs bread rolls – £1.00
- Mixed salad leaves – £0.50
- Bamboo skewers – £1.00
- Charcoal – £4.00
- Soft drinks multipack – £2.00
Total: approximately £28.88 for eight people – that’s under £3.70 per person for a full BBQ feast with plenty of food.
Free Entertainment Ideas for Your BBQ
You don’t need to spend money on entertainment when you’ve got a garden full of people. Here are some free or nearly-free ideas:
- Backyard cricket – Use a tennis ball and whatever you have as stumps
- Card games – A simple deck of cards opens up dozens of games
- Playlist – Create a free Spotify playlist and connect to a Bluetooth speaker
- Garden games – DIY ring toss with bottles, or a scavenger hunt for kids
Summary – Great BBQs Are About People, Not Pricetags
The best BBQs are remembered for the atmosphere, the laughter and the good company – not how much was spent on food. By shopping smart, making the most of budget supermarkets and asking guests to chip in, you can host a memorable summer BBQ for a fraction of what you might expect to spend.
For more money-saving tips and deals, check out the Aldi deals page and the Iceland deals page on Freebies.co.uk, where you’ll find the latest discounts to help you save even more on your BBQ shop.
