It’s no secret that grocery prices have soared recently. As a result, many families are choosing more budget-friendly holiday main courses instead of prime rib or beef tenderloin. With that in mind, we have compiled a list of affordable holiday meal ideas to help you create a satisfying and delicious menu.

This list includes more than just affordable beef roasts! Here, you’ll find recipes for pork, turkey, ham, chicken, and so much more. Don’t worry; we’ve also included some of our favorite budget-friendly side dishes to complete your meal.

If you do not own a grill or smoker, no problem. Many of these recipes can be adapted to your oven or stovetop. However, you can opt for super affordable Weber Kettle Original.

[TAG20]

When it comes to barbecued beef, smoked brisket reigns supreme. However, beef chuck roast is an excellent budget-friendly alternative. And, beef chuck becomes literal gold when cooked low and slow.

[TAG22]

Eye of Round is naturally a tough cut of beef, but the rotisserie rotation bastes it as it cooks. Once cooked and rested, use a sharp knife or meat slicer to carve the roast into thin, perfect slices. You’ll end up with delicious and affordable roast beef for your holiday feast.

[TAG24]

Yes, you can smoke tri-tip just as you would a brisket. The only difference is that the tri-tip is a great budget-friendly option, and it takes less time to cook, has the same tenderness as smoked brisket, and is just as flavorful. Perfect for small gatherings!

[TAG26]

Grilled London broil is marinated in flavorful ingredients, then grilled to perfection. Marinate it for 8-12 hours, then grill it and have it on the table in under 30 minutes.

[TAG28]

Sharpen your Pitmaster skills for the holidays by following our step-by-step recipe guide. Use your pellet grill or adapt our method for a charcoal unit!

[TAG30]

Amp up your holiday feast with this fantastic recipe! The pork loin roast is marinated in a tenderizing cola mixture and grilled low and slow. The result is a tender, sweet and savory roast.

[TAG32]

This juicy pork tenderloin is wrapped in strips of bacon that infuses the meat with smoky, salty flavor. This dish is perfect for affordable holiday meals, cookouts and more.

[TAG34]

This elegant tapenade stuffed pork loin makes the perfect show-stopping main course for the holidays and special occasions.

[TAG36]

This double smoked ham is perfect for the holidays. It features a hot smoked ham with a brown sugar, maple syrup, and Dijon glaze that results in a delicious caramelized crust. For a budget-friendly option, reach for a 5-6 pound ham instead.

[TAG38]

Pork tenderloin is a lean, flavorful, and relatively inexpensive cut of meat. It’s great in the smoker, on the grill, baked, or pan seared. Make your own raspberry-chipotle BBQ sauce, or purchase 1-2 small bottles of it for under $3.

Pork Belly Burnt Ends

Low and slow-cooked pork belly is delicious all on its own, but when you top it with an bourbon and citrus barbecue sauce (or a bottled sauce of your choice), that is truly a marvelous thing.

[TAG42]

If you’re looking for a delicious and affordable Southern-style dish, these Smoked Mississippi Country-Style Ribs are for you. With a smoky and savory flavor profile, this dish is perfect for casual holiday gatherings.

[TAG44]

These Rosemary-Dijon Lamb Porterhouse are tender, flavorful, and make the perfect quick and easy budget-friendly holiday main course!

[TAG46]

Our recipe for smoked whole turkey breast is juicy and succulent and makes the perfect main course for small holiday gatherings and dinner parties.

[TAG48]

Smoked spatchock chicken has the perfect balance of earthy spice and savory goodness. And it’s super affordable! Please note that we developed this recipe using our Weber Kettle, but you can use any grill or smoker, or your oven to make it.

[TAG50]

There’s nothing quite like the taste of smoky pulled chicken sandwiches. Smoking a whole chicken gives it a rich, smoky flavor. And when it’s paired with flavorful BBQ sauce, crunchy slaw, and pickles, the result is incredible!

[TAG52]

We take these bacon wrapped jalapeno popper chicken breasts to the grill for a nice infusion of smoke flavor. Once cooked, they are served whole or sliced in half, exposing a perfectly gooey cheesy filling. This hunger-inducing chicken is inexpensive to make and will be a hit at your holiday gathering.

Side Dishes

If you’re looking for side dishes to complement our affordable holiday meal ideas listed above, look no further than these tasty recipes!

• Easy Smoked Baked Potatoes
• Garlic Mashed Potatoes
• Bacon Wrapped Green Beans
• Smoked Butternut Squash
• Garlic-Rosemary Cauliflower Steaks
• Grilled Carrots with Maple Glaze
• Grilled Garlic Cheese Bread
• Yorkshire Puddings

The post Affordable Holiday Meal Ideas appeared first on BBQ & Grilling with Derrick Riches.