Summer grilling season is here, but with grocery prices shooting through the roof, who can afford premium steaks every weekend? Luckily you don’t need to empty your wallet for mouth-watering grilled meals. Some of the tastiest beef actually comes from cheaper cuts that absolutely shine when marinated and grilled.
So fire up that grill, crack open a cold one, and get ready for both serious compliments and a much happier bank account. The best barbecue secret is that sometimes the cheaper the cut, the better the flavor.
Key Takeaways
- Rising grocery prices don’t have to ruin grilling season – affordable beef cuts like top sirloin, chuck steak, skirt steak, flank steak, and hanger steak offer excellent flavor when prepared properly.
- These budget-friendly cuts shine with proper preparation techniques: marinating, generous seasoning, appropriate cooking methods, and slicing against the grain.
- A two-zone grilling setup (having a hot side and cooler side) on any type of grill gives better control over cooking these different cuts of meat.
- Proper preparation, cooking, and resting the meat, combined with complementary side dishes, can make inexpensive beef cuts taste premium while stretching your food budget.
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The best cheap beef cuts for grilling
Choosing budget-friendly beef cuts is essential for enjoying delicious grilled meals without straining your finances. These economical options allow you to experiment with new flavors and recipes while also feeding the whole family.
Top sirloin
Top sirloin is a lean and moderately tender cut from the upper rear of the cow. It has a milder beef flavor perfect for steak sauces but is still a great choice for grilling hot and fast. Top sirloin steak grills quickly and is perfectly portioned for individual servings with your favorite side dishes.
Chuck steak
This cut comes from the shoulder area and is known for its rich, beefy flavor. It can be a bit tough, but soaking it in a steak marinade and cooking it to medium rare can help tenderize this cheap cut of meat. Chuck steak is perfect for grilling both as a steak or diced and skewered for steak kebobs.
Skirt steak
This long, thin cut comes from the diaphragm area of the cow. It’s prized for its deep flavor and relatively tender texture when cooked properly. Skirt steak is perfect for fajitas, stir fries, or just simply grilling with some salt and pepper. Make sure to slice it against the grain to maximize tenderness.
Flank steak
Flank steak is lean and has a strong beefy flavor. It comes from the abdominal muscles of the cow and is often used in dishes that call for strips of beef. Use a good flank steak marinade for a few hours or overnight to help tenderize the meat. Grill it quickly over high heat to avoid overcooking. Slice it thinly against the grain to serve for the best results.
Hanger steak
Also known as the “butcher’s steak,” hanger steak is a flavorful and relatively tender cut from the cow’s lower belly. It’s best when marinated and cooked over high heat to medium rare. Hanger steak works well in a variety of dishes.
All of these steaks are perfect for grilling on traditional charcoal grills, gas grills, flat top griddles like the Blackstone grill, or even pellet smokers. Simply set up your grill for 2-zone grilling, making a hot side and a cooler side, so you can control the cook.
Do this with charcoal by stacking lit charcoal to one side of the grill or on a gas grill by igniting one burner and leaving the others off or on low. All grills hold heat differently, so take the time to familiarize yourself with your grill before cooking.
When grilling, I always recommend a quality digital meat thermometer so that you can cook your steak to your desired doneness. And for even more added barbecue flavor, consider adding wood chips or chunks right to your charcoal.
Don’t Miss These Great Sides for Your Cookout
- Cheesy grilled potatoes: Tender potato slices smothered in melted cheese are the perfect rich and hearty companion to a juicy grilled steak.
- Air fryer mushrooms: These umami-packed morsels develop a meaty texture and concentrated flavor in the air fryer, perfect for topping steak.
- Smashed potatoes on a Blackstone griddle: Crispy-edged, buttery smashed potatoes seared on a hot griddle go well with beef.
- Coleslaw: The cool, crisp crunch and tangy dressing of coleslaw cuts through the richness of grilled beef.
- Grilled garlic scapes: These delicate, mildly garlicky green tendrils char beautifully on the grill alongside your beef.
- Potato salad: Creamy, herb-flecked potato salad provides a cool, substantial counterpoint to hot-off-the-grill beef.
6 Tips for making cheap cuts of beef taste great
- Marinate: Use a flavorful marinade with acidic ingredients (such as vinegar or lemon juice) to tenderize the meat and infuse it with flavor. Allow the beef to marinate for at least a few hours, or ideally overnight, for best results. However, avoid marinating too long as the acidity can cause the texture to get mushy. Eight to 12 hours is long enough for marinating beef.
- Season well: Don’t be shy with the seasoning. Use a generous amount of salt and your favorite herbs and spices to enhance the natural flavors of the meat. My favorite is Montreal Steak Seasoning, which really brings out the beefy flavor of steaks.
- Know whether to cook “low and slow” or “hot and fast”: Some cuts benefit from low and slow cooking methods, like smoking, which helps to break down tough fibers and create a tender, juicy end result. Others are served by hot and fast grilling over direct heat. Knowing what your inexpensive cut needs for the best results is the chef’s secret to making the most out of every cut.
- Slice against the grain: Possibly the biggest trick to making sure your meat tastes amazing is in how it’s sliced. When cutting the cooked meat, be sure to slice it against the grain. This shortens the muscle fibers and makes the beef easier to chew, making these cheap cuts of beef top tier.
- Rest the meat: After grilling, let the meat rest for five to 10 minutes, allowing the juices to redistribute within the meat before slicing into it.
- Pair with your favorite side dishes: Complement your budget-friendly beef cut with delicious and flavorful side dishes, such as grilled vegetables, fresh salads, or creamy mashed potatoes. And don’t forget to grab wine glasses and the perfect wine pairing. This will help create a well-rounded meal and stretch your dollars even further.
Now that you’ve got some inspiration, set the table and light the charcoal. Start making the most of these cheap cuts of meat for the grilling season.
This article first appeared on Food Drink Life.
