10 Budget Friendly Grilling Ideas

By Candace Braun Zafirellis
Published 5/19/2025
10 Budget Friendly Grilling Ideas
Photo Credit: Adobe Stock

Charred Steak! Grilled Burgers! BBQ Chicken! There's nothing like the sizzle and smoke of home cooking on the grill in summertime. And with the cost of food continuing to rise, these 10 budget friendly grilling ideas couldn’t come at a better time for your wallet.

Cooking dinner on the grill is much easier and more economical than you might think. For the price of one burger and fries at a restaurant, you could easily grill an entire meal for a family of four that is healthy and better tasting. These grill recipes created in the Health eCooks test kitchen are heart healthy and use low sodium, low cholesterol ingredients to fuel you through a summer of family picnics, backyard barbecues and concerts under the stars.

From juicy turkey burgers on the grill to colorful grilled veggie sides and sweet pineapple kebabs, these heart smart grilling recipes are seasoned to perfection while keeping the sodium light and the grocery budget in check.

Heart Healthy Grilling Recipes

Stretch your dollar further with our healthy grilling recipes made with your favorite meats, including turkey, steak, chicken, shrimp and salmon.

  1. 01

    Grilled Turkey Burger

    Heart Healthy Grilled Turkey Burger
    Photo Credit: iStock
    45 mins

    Looking for a budget-friendly alternative to beef patties for the next family cookout? These grilled turkey burgers are made juicy and flavorful with garlic, mushrooms and melty Swiss cheese. 

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  2. 02

    Grilled Skirt Steak Fajitas

    Heart Healthy Grilled Skirt Steak Fajitas
    Photo Credit: iStock
    45 mins

    This grilled steak recipe is fit for a king! Marinated in garlic, cumin and lime juice, this grill recipe uses affordable skirt steak and colorful, fresh veggies to create a healthy and satisfying meal.

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  3. 03

    Grilled Chicken Tacos with Mango Salsa

    Heart Healthy Grilled Chicken Tacos with Mango Salsa
    Photo Credit: Adobe Stock
    30 mins

    Topped with a fresh mango salsa, these tacos with grilled chicken can be meal prepped in advance so your family can enjoy an easy, tropical summer meal on a budget.

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  4. 04

    Grilled Salmon with Asparagus

    GLP-1 Grilled Salmon with Asparagus
    Photo Credit: Adobe Stock
    30 mins

    This simple grilled salmon recipe is paired with smoky asparagus and a zesty salsa verde for a high-protein, low-carb meal that’s ideal for a quick weeknight dinner.

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  5. 05

    Grilled Romaine and Tomato Salad

    Heart Healthy Grilled Romaine and Tomato Salad
    Photo Credit: Baldwin Publishing Staff Photographer
    30 mins

    Salad on the grill? You bet! This light and affordable salad adds smoky flavor to your meal with grilled romaine and tomatoes topped with creamy avocado and crunchy sunflower seeds.

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  6. 06

    Surf and Turf Kebabs

    Heart Healthy Surf and Turf Kebabs
    Photo Credit: Baldwin Publishing Staff Photographer
    30 mins

    Bring fine dining home with these steak and shrimp kebabs that are marinated and grilled alongside healthy veggies like zucchini, cherry tomatoes and bell peppers. This simple seafood dish is ready to enjoy in just 30 minutes.

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  7. 07

    Grilled Chimichurri Chicken

    Heart Healthy Grilled Chimichurri Chicken
    Photo Credit: iStock
    30 mins

    This grilled chicken recipe features a vibrant and spicy herb sauce to create a flavorful chicken dish that’s low calorie and simple to prepare on a budget.

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  8. 08

    Balsamic Grilled Vegetables

    Heart Healthy Balsamic Grilled Vegetables
    Photo Credit: Baldwin Publishing Staff Photographer
    30 mins

    A medley of balsamic grilled vegetables like zucchini, squash and eggplant makes for a simple and affordable side dish that’s low calorie and full of fresh summer flavors.

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  9. 09

    Dill Chicken Burgers with Bacon Broccoli Slaw

    Heart Healthy Dill Chicken Burgers with Bacon Broccoli Slaw
    Photo Credit: Baldwin Publishing Staff Photographer
    45 mins

    For a unique and healthy twist on the classic burger, make these low fat chicken burgers topped with a tangy bacon broccoli slaw. These healthy burgers are diabetic friendly and perfect for a low budget barbecue.

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  10. 10

    Chicken and Pineapple Kebabs

    Heart Healthy Chicken and Pineapple Kebabs
    Photo Credit: Getty Images
    30 mins

    If you like sweet and savory dishes you’ll love these chicken kebabs. Marinated in sweet honey and spicy cayenne pepper then grilled to perfection, this inexpensive meal is full of flavorful, heart healthy ingredients that are as tasty as they are good for you.

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Healthy and Affordable Meals You Can Grill

Keep summertime meal planning simple with these heart healthy grilling recipes. These budget friendly meal ideas are full of seasonal flavors, fresh veggies and simple marinades that are good for your heart.

Whether you’re looking for healthy recipes ideas for Memorial Day, Fourth of July, Labor Day or a neighborhood potluck, these dishes fit into a healthy diet while making mouths and stomachs happy.

Here are more summer recipe blogs to keep you going through all the food-filled picnics and barbecues:

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