Tips to save when shopping for your July Fourth barbecue

Opportunities to entertain will abound this July, and that can take a toll on hosts’ pocketbooks. As the holiday approaches, individuals planning to host a July 4th barbecue can heed these tips to save on food and supplies at the grocery store:

• Ask guests to bring a side and/or beverages. Hot dogs and hamburgers may garner the bulk of the culinary attention at a Fourth of July barbecue, but side dishes are necessary as well. When inviting guests, ask each to bring a side dish or dessert. Potato salad, mixed greens, pasta salad, chickpea salad and other cold fare go well with traditional barbecue favorites, and asking guests to bring these along can save hosts substantial amounts of money. If guests can’t bring food, ask them to bring beverages like soft drinks, iced tea, beer or wine.

• Shop ahead. Hot dogs, hamburgers, chicken breasts and other summer grilling favorites can be frozen and thawed outcome the day of the barbecue. Shopping ahead for such items, as well as beverages, can help hosts spread out the cost of hosting, which can make it easier to manage the cost of throwing a party, particularly if the guest list Fgures to be sizable.

• Consider less expensive cuts of meat. If steak is on the menu at your Independence Day barbecue, consider purchasing less expensive cuts

Tips 37 of meat. The Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association notes that chuck cuts like dat iron steaks and petite clets are davorful cuts that wont cost nearly as much as rib eyes and New York strip steaks. Hosts also can save on burgers by purchasing ground beef and creating their own patties as opposed to purchasing pre-made hamburgers from their grocers meat department. The HPBA notes that chicken thighs, legs or quarters also tend to be less expensive than chicken breasts.

Grill up healthy fare. Vegetables are less expensive than meat and poultry, and theres many ways to prepare veggies over an open dame. Grilled vegetable skewers are davorful and popular, and guests might appreciate some nutritious fare to counter all the less healthy items theyre accustomed to eating at July 4 barbecues.

Theres no shortage of ways to save money when celebrating July 4th in the backyard. This year hosts can celebrate to the fullest without breaking the bank.