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Grilling steak on a budget

Want to grill more than burgers and hot dogs, but think you can’t afford it? Think again! You can have steak and still stick to your budget — here’s how.

Eating well and staying frugal

During those years when we wanted to grill something better than burgers, I would thumb through the advertisements to see who had round or chuck steak on sale. You can find it for $1.50 a pound or less during a good sale. No, it’s not T-bone, but when you do a little tricky marinating and seasoning it’s a great meal. The following recipes will work with any type of steak, but I still can’t resist a good sale!

>> Grilled T-Bones with Bourbon BBQ Sauce

Grilled Marinated Chuck Steak

Ingredients:
1/2 cup sweet onion, sliced very thinly
1/2 cup lemon juice
1/4 cup olive oil or vegetable oil
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon celery salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon dried, crushed rosemary
1 garlic clove — minced
2 1/2 pounds chuck steak, cut 1/2″ thick

Directions:
Combine all ingredients except steak. Marinate the steak for at least 3 hours, turning several times. Grill steak over wood, hot coals or a gas grill on low heat.

Grill for about 30 minutes or until done as desired. Boil the marinade for a couple minutes after removing the raw meat, and use to baste the steak during cooking.

NOTE: You can substitute fresh herbs by mincing and using double what is called for.

>> How to grill great steaks

Marinated Round Steak

Ingredients:
1/4 cup wine vinegar
2 Tablespoons soy sauce
2 Tablespoons olive oil
2 Tablespoons catsup or tomato sauce
1/2 teaspoon onion salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper
2 pounds round steak, cut into sections

Directions:
Mix all but steak together. Place round steak and marinade in a plastic bag or glass container and let sit in refrigerator for about 3 hours. Turn container several times. Broil 5 to 8 minutes on each side to desired doneness.

>> Spicy Tabasco Pepper Steaks

Grilled Teriyaki Steak

Ingredients:
2 pounds boneless round steak, 1/2″ thick
1 teaspoon ground pepper
2/3 cup teriyaki sauce
1/3 cup soy sauce
11/2 teaspoons instant meat tenderizer
1/8 teaspoon garlic powder

Directions:
Sprinkle round steak with pepper; pierce at 1 inch intervals with a meat fork. Place in a large shallow container. Combine the remaining ingredients and mix well. Pour over steak. Cover dish and marinate for 8 to 10 hours or overnight in refrigerator. Grill over hot coals 3 to 5 minutes on each side or until done as desired. Makes 6 servings.

>> How to cook perfect beef tenderloin

Oriental-Style Meat Marinade

Ingredients:
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup wine vinegar
1/2 cup pineapple juice
2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1 cup soy sauce

Directions:
Mix all ingredients and bring to a boil. Cool. Use to marinate meat for minimum of 4 hours or overnight for cheap cuts of steak that may need more tenderizing.

>> Sauce & Marinade Recipes

Italian-Style Marinade

Ingredients:
1/3 cup olive oil
1 1/2 cups red wine
1 teaspoon basil
1 teaspoon thyme
1 Tablespoon black pepper
1 small onion, sliced thinly
3 cloves garlic, minced

Directions:
Combine and use to marinate steak for 4 hours to overnight.


More beefy steak ideas

  • Grilled Skirt Steak with Avocado Corn Salad
  • Herb-Crusted Steak
  • Grilled Lime Cilantro Chuck Steaks

>> Get more ideas! Live large, but spend small

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