19 Memorial Day Budget Recipes Nobody at the Table Knew Were Cheap

Hosting the first big backyard cookout of the year shouldn’t force you to spend your entire weekly paycheck on a single afternoon. These 21 budget-friendly recipes keep your holiday stress-free by turning inexpensive ingredients into a spread that looks and tastes fantastic. They give you a table full of classic comfort food so you can feed a hungry crowd with total ease. No one will ever guess you saved a bundle while putting together such a delicious holiday feast.

Loaded Baked Potato Bites

Small potato slices bake in the oven until they are crisp enough to hold plenty of cheese and bacon. Guests can grab these single-serve snacks with their hands while they walk around the yard. Using basic potatoes makes it very cheap to provide a hot snack for a large group of people.
Get the Recipe: Loaded Baked Potato Bites

Slow Cooker Baked Beans With Bacon

Cheap canned beans simmer with salty bacon and sweet molasses until the sauce gets thick and dark. The slow cooker keeps the dish warm all afternoon so guests can go back for seconds whenever they want. This classic cookout staple adds a lot of weight to a plate for pennies.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Baked Beans With Bacon

Slow Cooker Chicken Spaghetti

Creamy sauce and soft pasta mix with shredded chicken for a heavy meal that feeds a crowd on a small budget. Set the cooker in the morning, and a hot, cheesy dinner will be ready by the time the sun goes down. It is a great way to ensure nobody leaves hungry.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Chicken Spaghetti

Cheesy Easy Cauliflower Casserole

Smother cauliflower florets in a simple cheese sauce to make a veggie dish that feels just as rich as a potato side. Even the picky eaters will want a big scoop of these bubbly, browned edges. The oven does all the work of softening the vegetables while you set the table.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Easy Cauliflower Casserole

Easy Buffalo Chicken Sliders

Spicy sauce and cool ranch give these small sandwiches a big kick that your guests will talk about. Use canned or rotisserie chicken to keep your kitchen prep time down to just a few minutes flat. These are perfect for a casual backyard party where people want a bold snack.
Get the Recipe: Easy Buffalo Chicken Sliders

Jalapeño Popper Loaded Cheese Fries

A cheap bag of frozen fries looks completely high-end with spicy peppers, melted cheese, and crispy bacon bits. Bake a huge tray of these all at once to provide a hot, salty snack for the whole group. This fancy-looking platter costs very little and vanishes in minutes.
Get the Recipe: Jalapeño Popper Loaded Cheese Fries

Tomato and Smashed Cucumber Salad

Smashed cucumbers soak up dressing much better than regular slices to give you a big hit of flavor in every single bite. This cold side dish costs next to nothing to prepare and uses simple produce aisle staples. The bright red tomatoes make the whole picnic table look instant holiday festive.
Get the Recipe: Tomato and Smashed Cucumber Salad

Mexican Coleslaw

Shredded cabbage gets a big boost from lime juice and fresh cilantro for a crunch that stays steady in the summer heat. You can mix up a massive bowl of this for just a few dollars to keep your spending low. It provides a sharp, tangy break from heavy meats and salty chips.
Get the Recipe: Mexican Coleslaw

Seven Layer Vegetarian Dip

Beans, cheese, and simple veggies pile high in a glass dish for a party staple that never goes out of style. Grab a cheap bag of tortilla chips and let everyone dig into a filling treat that covers all the bases. It is an excellent choice for a group because it fills up bellies easily.
Get the Recipe: Seven Layer Vegetarian Dip

Roasted Potatoes with Broccoli Recipe

These basic vegetables roast together on a single flat pan until the edges get dark and crispy. You can throw a few trays of this in the oven and forget about them while you chat with guests. The salty, crispy potatoes are always the first thing to disappear from the buffet line.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Potatoes with Broccoli Recipe

Cucumber Dill Salad

Thin cucumber rounds sit in a creamy, herb-filled dressing that stays cold and refreshing on a warm day. You only need a few garden staples to create a fresh side dish that fits perfectly between bites of BBQ. It is a reliable, low-cost option that people always look for when eating outside.
Get the Recipe: Cucumber Dill Salad

Easy BBQ Chicken Sliders

Shredded chicken and sweet sauce pile onto small slider rolls for a quick meal that is easy to eat. You can prep the meat in advance so you only have to build the sandwiches right when people arrive. Using small buns allows you to feed a huge crowd without buying tons of expensive meat.
Get the Recipe: Easy BBQ Chicken Sliders

Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Drumsticks

This is my favorite way to get crispy, juicy chicken on the table without ever touching a messy outdoor grill. I just coat the drumsticks in sauce and let the air fryer handle the heat until the skin is perfectly browned. My family loves how the meat stays tender while the outside gets that classic charred taste.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Drumsticks

Homemade Corn Casserole

Corn kernels and a simple batter bake into a soft, sweet bread that tastes like a mix between a side and a treat. Just mix the ingredients in one bowl and pour them into a dish for a fast, hands-off bake. It offers a cozy bite that goes perfectly with salty grilled food.
Get the Recipe: Homemade Corn Casserole

Cheesy Green Bean Casserole with Fresh Green Beans

Fresh beans stay snappy and bright under a layer of melted cheese and crunchy toppings. You get a much better texture than the canned version while still keeping the grocery bill very low. It is a hearty, warm side that makes a large holiday meal feel complete.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Green Bean Casserole with Fresh Green Beans

Chicken Sheet Pan Quesadillas

Large flour tortillas bake all at once on a flat pan to save you from standing over a hot stove for hours. Fill them with plenty of cheese and chicken so every single square is packed with flavor. Cutting them into triangles makes it very easy for everyone to grab a piece and keep moving.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Sheet Pan Quesadillas

Spiced Grilled Corn

Sweet ears of corn get a great smoky flavor from the grill and a big boost from a blend of warm pantry spices. You can cook a dozen at a time on the grates to keep up with a large group of hungry friends. Leaving the husks on for a bit keeps the kernels juicy until dinner.
Get the Recipe: Spiced Grilled Corn

Crockpot BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwich

Pork shoulder is one of the most budget-friendly meats you can buy, and it cooks until it falls apart with just a fork. You only need one large piece of meat and a bottle of sauce to feed twenty people without any stress. It stays warm in the pot for easy serving all day.
Get the Recipe: Crockpot BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwich

30-Minute Loaded Cabbage Steaks

Roast thick cabbage slices in bacon fat until they turn sweet and tender, then pile them high with toppings and a quick garlic dressing. Cabbage is one of the cheapest staples in the produce aisle, but this trick makes it taste like a main dish. It gives you a hot, hearty plate in just thirty minutes without blowing your budget.
Get the Recipe: 30-Minute Loaded Cabbage Steaks

Set out the lawn chairs, fire up the grill, and enjoy the long weekend with a crowd-pleasing feast that keeps your wallet happy.