Mini Meal Plan #5: 3 Simple Cookout-Inspired Dinners on a Budget
When it’s summertime, we all crave those classic cookout flavors but that doesn’t always mean you have to fire up the grill. This mini meal plan includes 3 easy, cookout-inspired dinners that can be made outside on the grill or indoors using your air fryer or stovetop.
Even better? The entire shopping list came to just $29.43 for 17 items at Walmart. These meals are budget-friendly, flexible, and full of summer favorites like BBQ chicken, corn on the cob, and juicy burgers with a twist.
Perfect for busy weeknights or laid-back weekends, these dinners bring the cookout vibes and doesn’t matter where you’re cooking.
Grocery Items Needed for the Mini Menu
If you want to see the full shopping list on Walmart in your area, all you have to do is click my Walmart Grocery list and change the zip code to your area. *This is an affiliate link, and I do make a small commission on any purchases, but at no additional cost to you!*
**** Please note, that every once in a while, an item that I pick turns out to be regional. This means that it may be a much higher price in some areas. Always double check the list and if you see an item that is much higher than normal, just adjust as needed.
Barbeque Chicken, Grilled Vegetables, and Pasta Salad
Sometimes the trick to basic is to just spice it up a little. You can use your favorite barbeque sauce that you always buy, or you can try a new $1 mini bottle. These come in a huge variety of flavors and a great way to test them out before buying a big bottle! The pasta salad is also another way you can use up leftovers or use up some leftover salad dressing too.
Hot Dogs, Corn on the Cob, and Home Fries
Is it really a cookout with a hot dog? I am torn right now if I prefer them grilled or done in the air fryer. To be honest, both come out tasty! I recently found out you can cook corn on the cob in fresh form or frozen form. They came out amazing and are a new favorite in my house.
Pineapple Turkey Burgers and Potato Salad
We used to not be big fans of turkey burgers because they can come out a little dry when grilled. That was until we realized that we can add flavor and moisture by just adding some drained crushed pineapple. It’s a little unexpected but it is super tasty!
Possible Variations
If you are not a fan of rotisserie chicken or just happen to have some chicken in your fridge or freezer, you can totally cook your own chicken. I used the pre-cooked chicken because it definitely cut down on the hot part of cooking.
I have air fried an entire chicken before, so you can easily make your own rotisserie chicken at home! Honestly, any pre-cooked chicken will work even canned chicken! (Just make sure to rinse and drain canned chicken to get rid of the metallic taste).
Free Printable List & Recipes
Here is a 1-page cheat sheet that includes the grocery list as well as all the recipes you need to make this budget mini menu work!
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