5 Great Grilling Recipes for Crowds

Though not exclusively, grilling tends to be a communal activity. It’s a great way to combine two simple pleasures: eating and being outside. There’s also something undeniably gratifying about being able to host a crowd of people at your place and demonstrate your cooking abilities. Unfortunately, money doesn’t grow on trees, so if you want to make a name for yourself as a host or hostess and still be able to pay rent at the end of the month, you’ll need to opt for menu items that aren’t hugely expensive. This doesn’t mean you’ll have to buy the discounted mystery meat sequestered in some forgotten corner of your local butcher shop. There are plenty of cuts of meat that are delicious and totally cost-effective when it comes to grilling for crowds. Below, we’ve chosen five budget-friendly, delicious grilling recipes to carry you safely through the summer.

Flank steak is a relatively inexpensive cut of beef that is versatile and, when prepared right, really delicious. Pair it with an equally tasty and easy-to-make marinade like chimichurri to not only satisfy your guests, but leave them thoroughly impressed.

Chicken will always be one of your closest allies when it comes to getting the most bang for your buck. These chicken skewers are soaked in a mouthwatering Asian-style marinade and cook up quite nicely on the grill.

If you want to grill steak for your guests, but also keep costs to a minimum, then opt for a cut from the shoulder of the cow. While shoulder cuts aren’t as prized as those from the midsection like a rib eye or tenderloin, they still have enough marbling (fat) to leave you with a tender, deliciously cooked piece of beef.

Whole fish—especially white fish—are a lifesaver when cooking for small to mid-sized crowds. This recipe calls for a few simple ingredients like rosemary, lemon, and spinach. The end result? Delicious, smoky, charbroiled fish.

Burgers are always a crowd pleaser. Ground beef comes at a low cost and the buns and vegetables for garnishing are even cheaper. Be sure to look up our video for homemade burger buns in our How To section, as well!

Flank steak with Chimichurri

Teriyaki chicken skewers

The perfect steak

Whole grilled fish

The burger

More delicious ideas for you