National BBQ Week doesn’t have to cost a fortune
Updated: 22 February, 2024
National BBQ Week doesn’t have to cost a fortune
Updated: 22 February, 2024
The summer season is in full swing, and there’s nothing us Brits love more than sparking up the BBQ. However, once you invite some family and friends over and start thinking about all the food and drink you need, the costs start to rack up.
Fear not! Hosting a BBQ can actually be an affordable way to entertain your guests, and we’re here to help.
We’ve hand-picked a bundle of items for around the £50 mark, catering for the meat lovers, the not so meat lovers, those who prefer fish, and low-cost dishes to serve on the side.
Need help getting the BBQ started? Check out our guide to lighting a BBQ here.
The carnivore’s collection
Catering for those who love meat can be costly, whilst cooking various different types of meat to offer a good selection.
Stop right there - our selection of meats are affordable and convenient for serving a larger group, while not compromising on quality or taste.
Mouth-watering Mediterranean chicken
Our pre-marinated Mediterranean style chicken wings and chicken shish pieces are the perfect option to minimise prep time in the kitchen. Simply cut open the bag and cook in the oven, before finishing off on the BBQ to achieve that distinct char - it’s that easy.
Succulent lamb
An ideal finger food option that requires no messy carving - lamb ribs are full of flavour and inexpensive. Simply marinate in flavours of your choice, we recommend a dry rub blend of garlic, onion and chilli powder, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper and salt. Slow cook in the oven for 3 hours at 140 degrees, then finish off on the BBQ for a beautiful caramelised char.
Set the steaks high
Indulgent and tender with fatty marbling - ribeye steaks are beautiful when cooked under hot and fast heat. Perfect for the BBQ, these steaks work out at only £4.38 each - cheaper than you may find in the supermarkets and superior in quality.
The crucial elements for cooking steak are: allow them to reach room temperature before grilling, and allow them to rest for 4-5 minutes before serving - do not cover with foil!
A taste of the sea on the barbie
Succulent sea bass
The versatility of sea bass lends itself to an abundance of flavours. Paired perfectly with the fresh tastes of lemon, garlic, parsley, dill and tarragon, this dish is super simple and makes for a great summertime BBQ addition.
Simply score the flesh on either side of the body, and place the fish on the BBQ. Cook for 6-7 minutes on each side. Cut into the flesh to ensure it’s cooked - if it still looks slightly opaque, pop it back onto the indirect heat of the BBQ, or in the oven for a couple more minutes.
Top tip: to stop the fish from sticking to the grills, place a bed of lemon slices onto the grill, and pop the fish on top!
Simple salmon
The top tip to ensuring success when cooking fish on the BBQ is a smoking hot grill. Salmon fillets are the perfect option for fish lovers, as the smoke from the coals will enhance the buttery flavour of the salmon.
Drizzle the fish with olive oil and grill skin side down to start. After around 4 minutes, once the skin starts to turn golden brown, flip over and cook for a further 4 minutes. Check the salmon is cooked through and leave for a little longer if needed.
Piquant prawns
Quick to marinate, easy to cook, and extremely tasty, tiger prawns smothered in aromatic garlic, and a punch of chilli, are deliciously smoky when cooked on the BBQ. Cook on each side until the prawns are pink, then serve on a plate drizzled with the garlicky sauce.
Meat free doesn’t have to be boring
Tasty and succulent, our range of meat free BBQ options means that your vegan and veggie guests don‘t have to stick by the salads.
Try our Naked Glory vegan burger, perfectly paired with our vegan brioche buns and vegan cheese slices.
Offer salad options for your meat-free guests to jazz up their burgers too. Our selection of side dishes are also vegan friendly, so there’s no need to go out of your way to ensure they are satisfied.
Don’t scrimp on sides
It doesn’t just stop at cooking your meat on the BBQ - utilise it for your sides too. These recipes can all be adapted to cater for vegans too.
Try these bean recipes for less than £1 per portion - they’re colourful, nutritious and full of flavour for your BBQ table.
A little gem
Ever had lettuce on the BBQ? Yes, it’s actually a thing! Little Gem lettuces are compact and robust, which means they will not wilt nor collapse when cooked. Bringing out a unique smoky flavour with a very thin, caramelised crust, these lettuces can be topped with creamy avocado, tangy balsamic glaze or creamy cheeses like feta, goat’s cheese or blue cheese.
Leave room for the shroom
Portobello mushrooms have an extremely meaty texture, the perfect side dish for filling up your guests’ stomachs. Grilling them on the BBQ brings out their earthy flavour - top with some grated cheddar cheese for a match made in heaven.
Jazz up your veg
Grilled vegetables will make you feel like you’re dining in the Mediterranean. They’re affordable, easy to prepare, quick to cook and can be enhanced with herbs and spices to jazz them up a little.
Thickly slice some aubergines and brush with a combination of olive oil, oregano and chilli flakes, then season with salt and pepper. Grill for around 3 minutes on each side, until lightly charred then plate and crumble over some feta cheese, parsley and a squeeze of lemon juice.
Our bundles of products for each category are all around the £50 mark. This enables you to cater for your guests with restaurant quality products, in larger quantities, and at affordable prices.
Shop all of the products here.