Summer is almost here and you know what that means, barbecues galore! As you host or attend this ultimate occasion of outdoor feasting, ask for or volunteer to help with a tasty staple. Pitching in is a great way to save when having a summer BBQ or any gathering. Here are some incredible contributions that you can make that will cost around $9.00. There’s no reason why you can’t BBQ on a budget this summer!
Mexican Street Corn Dip
Every gathering starts with a bang when you have a festive dip! Mexican street corn is a sizzling summer favorite. Turn the messier, corn on the cob, version into a dip that creates an easy-to-transport and serve option with the same taste explosion as the kind on the cob!
Southern Style Baked Beans
Barbecue and baked beans go together better than April showers and May flowers. If you add a southern twist with bacon, you can’t help but have a winner that will leave your dish scraped clean. Just do the math…southern, barbecue, bacon, truly irresistible!
Chick-fil-A Slaw
Another obvious option for any BBQ is slaw. It kind of tames the spice and saucy recipes yet blends in perfectly for summer grilling. We all know everything Chick-fil-A makes is fabulous so let’s invite their slaw to our summer barbecues with a copycat recipe we can make at home!
Smoked Macaroni and Cheese
Mac and cheese is a side that everyone loves and is easy to transport. Not cranking up your own grill? No problem, then make it ahead and smoke it on your host’s grill. Use gluten-free noodles so even those with allergies can enjoy the comfort of creamy, cheesy smoked macaroni and cheese!
Hot Dogs
A modern spin on this old classic will leave the whole party asking for more! Spiral cut hot dogs will be far from the same old thing in looks and taste. The spiral cut will allow thorough smoking with a little more crispiness while maintaining all the moist and juicy traits of an original hot dog. The texture will also help hold the condiments in place, it’s a win-win!
Frozen S’mores
If you want a dessert that screams summer and comes together better than the original version, this is it. When there’s no open fire a frozen s’mores will be the perfect treasure that helps you keep your cool, even on the hottest days!
Banana or Strawberry Ice Cream
While campfire-themed goodies are great, there’s not much that can top the old-fashioned taste and feel of real homemade ice cream after a smoky BBQ. Hearing the ice tumble and knowing what awaits is a treat in itself. Then comes the delicacy of an ice cream that is somewhere between slightly slushy and scoopable like store-bought, yet with a taste that is in another galaxy of ecstasy compared to a carton. Take your basic vanilla recipe and add mashed, ripe bananas and a lot of them for a new tradition that will be requested often. Go another step and pour in a carton of thawed, sweetened frozen strawberries to make a strawberry banana treat turn into a childhood memory!
So, there you have it, BBQ staples filled with tradition and the taste of summer that will serve four people for less than $9.00!
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