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.
Smoked Chuck Roast
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.
- Smoked Chuck Roast
- Rotisserie Roast Beef (Eye of Round)
- Tri Tip Brisket Style
- Picanha Roast on the Grill
- Grilled London Broil
- Smoked Pulled Pork
- Cola Pork Loin
- Bacon Wrapped Pork Tenderloin
- Tapenade Stuffed Pork Loin
- Double Smoked Ham
- Smoked Pork Tenderloin
- Pork Belly Burnt Ends
- Mississippi Country-Style Ribs
- Rosemary-Dijon Lamb Porterhouse (Loin Chops)
- Smoked Whole Turkey Breast
- Smoked Spatchcock Chicken
- Pulled Chicken Sandwiches
- Bacon-Wrapped Jalapeno Popper Chicken Breasts
- Side Dishes
Rotisserie Roast Beef (Eye of Round)
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.
Tri Tip Brisket Style
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!
Picanha Roast on the Grill
This grilled picanha roast method is super simple and can go from season to carved and plated in an hour. While most of us are familiar with the Brazilian skewer-style picanha steaks, the entire roast has so much more to offer!
Grilled London Broil
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.
Smoked Pulled Pork
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!
Cola Pork Loin
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.
Bacon Wrapped Pork Tenderloin
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.
Tapenade Stuffed Pork Loin
This elegant tapenade stuffed pork loin makes the perfect show-stopping main course for the holidays and special occasions.
Double Smoked Ham
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.
Smoked Pork Tenderloin
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.
Mississippi Country-Style Ribs
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.
Rosemary-Dijon Lamb Porterhouse (Loin Chops)
These Rosemary-Dijon Lamb Porterhouse are tender, flavorful, and make the perfect quick and easy budget-friendly holiday main course!
Smoked Whole Turkey Breast
Our recipe for smoked whole turkey breast is juicy and succulent and makes the perfect main course for small holiday gatherings and dinner parties.
Smoked Spatchcock Chicken
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.
Pulled Chicken Sandwiches
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!
Bacon-Wrapped Jalapeno Popper Chicken Breasts
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!
