Fire Up the Grill (Without Burning Your Budget)🔥

BBQ Chicken Drumsticks, baked beans, potato salad, cowboy caviar, and caprese salad on a picnic table next to a grill.

There’s nothing better than the sizzle of the grill on a sunny summer day—especially when you can throw an awesome BBQ without blowing your budget. This menu is all about keeping things easy, affordable, and still super tasty. Think: BBQ Chicken Drumsticks, a few simple summer sides like Baked Beans, Corn Salad, and good ol’ Classic Potato Salad. And for dessert? One-bowl Chocolate Brownies made from pantry staples—no mixer, no fuss.

Ask your friends to bring Cowboy Caviar and a Cucumber and Onion Salad—both are super quick to throw together and packed with fresh flavor. No fancy ingredients, no stress—just good food that everyone’s gonna love.

1. BBQ Chicken Drumsticks

The best BBQ Chicken Drumsticks recipe in a platter, ready to enjoy.

Get Chicken Drumsticks Recipe

My mom’s classic: cheap, easy, and always a hit. Just brush with simple spices and grill until juicy and charred. You could swap out chicken drumsticks for wings or thighs.

Tomato Sauce
Granulated Sugar
Light Brown Sugar
Low-Sodium Soy Sauce
Mustard
12 Large Chicken Drumsticks

2. Baked Beans

A pan of saucy homemade Baked Beans with bacon, ready to serve.

Get the Baked Beans recipe

Sweet‑and‑smoky beans that you can bake the day before. Feeds a crowd and fills everyone up—without any fuss. (You can also make Baked Beans in your Instant Pot).

Bacon
Onion, Peppers, Tomato Sauce
Garlic, Liquid Smoke
Kidney Beans, Navy Beans, Pinto Beans
Ketchup, Mustard, Hot Sauce
Light Brown Sugar, Molasses

3. Corn Salad

Get the Corn Salad recipe

Grilled corn, fresh veggies, creamy avocado, and a homemade dressing. Crunchy, colorful, and super simple.

6-8 ears of corn on the cob (or frozen corn)
Olive Oil
Red Onion
Bell Pepper
Avocado
Seasonings
Lime Juice

4. Cowboy Caviar

Get the Cowboy Caviar recipe

A 10‑minute dip packed with beans, peppers, cilantro, and avocado. Feeds 15 with chips or as a side. You cold turn cowboy caviar into a salad by scooping onto a bed of greens and tossing in a lime‑cumin dressing.

Black Beans, Pinto Beans
Can Corn
Roma Tomatoes
Sweet Onion
Avocados
Fresh Cilantro
Lime Juice
Sea Salt

5. Classic Potato Salad

The best Potato Salad recipe with boiled eggs, celery, and chopped potatoes all covered in a creamy dressing.

Get the Potato Salad recipe

Simple, creamy, and always welcome. Perfect make‑ahead side that goes with everything on your grill.

Yukon Gold Potatoes
Hard Boiled Eggs
Mayonnaise
Buttermilk
Yellow Mustard
Dill Pickles
Salt & Pepper
Celery
Red Onion

6. Cucumber Onion Salad

Get the Cucumber Salad recipe

Cool, zesty, and refreshing—this salad can be tossed together early and stays bright all day. Ideal for beating the heat.

1 English Cucumber (or 6 Mini Cucumbers)
Large Sweet Onion
White Vinegar
Sugar
Red Wine Vinegar
Salt & Pepper

7. Chocolate Brownies (One‑Bowl Bake!)

Chocolate brownies topped with chocolate frosting with a bite taken out.

Get the Brownies recipe

Rich, chewy brownies made from pantry staples and just one bowl. Top with powdered sugar or our chocolate frosting—your sweet finale is ready! You can also stir nuts or chocolate chips into the brownies.