Backyard BBQ Menu on a Budget: Feed 20 People for Under $100

Hosting a backyard BBQ sounds expensive. Twenty people need a lot of food, and visions of empty wallets dance in your head as you calculate meat prices, sides, drinks, and desserts. But here's the truth: you can throw an impressive BBQ for a crowd without maxing out your credit card.

The secret isn't cutting corners that leave guests hungry. It's strategic menu planning that uses affordable cuts of meat, maximizes cheap ingredients like potatoes and cabbage, and focuses on homemade sides that cost a fraction of store-bought versions.

This complete menu feeds 20 people for under $100, including proteins, sides, drinks, and dessert. No one will know you're on a budget—they'll just know they're full and happy.

The Budget BBQ Philosophy

Big Picture Strategy:

1. Choose Affordable Proteins Skip expensive steaks. Focus on chicken, burgers, hot dogs, and budget-friendly pork.

2. Make Sides from Scratch Homemade potato salad costs $6 and feeds 15. Store-bought costs $15 and feeds 8. Easy math.

3. Bulk Buy Strategically Family packs of meat, 10-lb bags of potatoes, and wholesale club deals make a huge difference.

4. Skip the Extras Fancy appetizers and elaborate desserts inflate budgets. Stick to simple crowd-pleasers.

5. Strategic Shopping Sales, store brands, and seasonal produce keep costs down.

For more budget cooking strategies, see our budget meal prep guide.

Complete BBQ Menu for 20 People

Proteins (3 Options)

1. Hamburgers

• 5 lbs ground beef (80/20)
• 20 hamburger buns
• Cheese slices (optional)
• Cost: $25

2. Hot Dogs

• 3 packages (24 total hot dogs)
• 3 packages hot dog buns
• Cost: $15

3. BBQ Chicken

• 10 lbs chicken leg quarters (bone-in, skin-on)
• BBQ sauce
• Cost: $12

Protein Total: $52

Sides (4 Options)

1. Potato Salad

• 10 lbs potatoes
• Eggs, mayo, mustard, celery, onion
• Cost: $8

2. Coleslaw

• 2 heads cabbage
• Carrots, mayo, vinegar, sugar
• Cost: $6

3. Baked Beans

• 4 cans beans, bacon, onion, ketchup, molasses, brown sugar
• Cost: $8

4. Corn on the Cob

• 20 ears of corn
• Butter
• Cost: $10

Sides Total: $32

Extras

Chips:

• 2 large bags
• Cost: $6

Dessert (Watermelon):

• 2 large watermelons, cubed
• Cost: $8

Condiments & Toppings:

• Ketchup, mustard, mayo, relish, pickles, onions, lettuce, tomatoes
• Cost: $8 (buying basics only; use what you have)

Extras Total: $22

Beverages

Options:

• 2 cases water bottles
• 1 case soda or lemonade mix
• Cost: $12

Beverages Total: $12

Grand Total: $118

Under Budget Tips:

• Skip the hot dogs to save $15 (total: $103)
• Make watermelon the only dessert
• Ask guests to BYOB to save drink costs
• Skip cheese on burgers (save $5)

Adjusted Total with Cuts: $98

Detailed Recipe Guide

BBQ Chicken Leg Quarters

Why Leg Quarters: The cheapest cut of chicken (often $0.79-$1.29/lb). Dark meat stays juicy even if slightly overcooked. One quarter per person is filling.

Ingredients:

• 10 lbs chicken leg quarters (20 pieces)
• Salt and pepper
• Garlic powder
• Paprika
• 2 cups BBQ sauce

Instructions:

1. Season chicken with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika.
2. Grill over medium heat, skin-side down, for 15 minutes.
3. Flip and continue grilling 15-20 minutes.
4. Brush with BBQ sauce in last 10 minutes.
5. Cook to 165°F internal temperature.

Time: 40 minutes Make-Ahead: Grill earlier in day, rewarm on grill before serving.

For more grilling tips, see our easy grilling recipes guide.

Classic Hamburgers

Ingredients:

• 5 lbs ground beef (80/20 blend)
• Salt and pepper
• 20 hamburger buns
• Cheese slices (optional)

Instructions:

1. Form beef into 20 quarter-pound patties.
2. Make small indent in center of each (prevents bulging).
3. Season both sides with salt and pepper just before grilling.
4. Grill over high heat 4 minutes per side for medium.
5. Add cheese in last minute if using.
6. Toast buns on grill.

Time: 30 minutes Prep-Ahead: Form patties morning of, refrigerate on parchment-lined sheet pans.

Hot Dogs

Instructions:

1. Grill over medium heat 8-10 minutes, turning occasionally.
2. Look for nice grill marks.
3. Toast buns on grill last 30 seconds.

Time: 10 minutes Easy Win: These cook fast and please kids.

Potato Salad (Feeds 20)

Ingredients:

• 10 lbs russet or red potatoes
• 12 hard-boiled eggs, chopped
• 2 cups mayonnaise
• 1/4 cup yellow mustard
• 1 cup diced celery
• 1/2 cup diced onion
• 1/4 cup pickle relish
• Salt and pepper
• Paprika for garnish

Instructions:

1. Cut potatoes into 1-inch cubes (peeling optional).
2. Boil in salted water until tender, 15-20 minutes.
3. Drain and cool completely.
4. Mix mayo, mustard, relish, salt, and pepper.
5. Combine cooled potatoes, eggs, celery, and onion.
6. Fold in dressing gently.
7. Refrigerate at least 2 hours.
8. Garnish with paprika.

Make-Ahead: Best made day before. Cost Breakdown: $8 total = $0.40 per serving.

For more BBQ sides, see our BBQ side dishes on a budget.

Coleslaw (Feeds 20)

Ingredients:

• 2 large heads green cabbage, shredded
• 4 large carrots, shredded
• 2 cups mayonnaise
• 1/4 cup white vinegar
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 2 teaspoons celery seed
• Salt and pepper

Instructions:

1. Shred cabbage and carrots (or buy pre-shredded if budget allows).
2. Whisk together mayo, vinegar, sugar, celery seed, salt, and pepper.
3. Pour dressing over cabbage mixture.
4. Toss well and refrigerate at least 1 hour.

Make-Ahead: Can be made 1-2 days before. Budget Win: Two cabbages cost $3-4 and feed a crowd.

Baked Beans (Feeds 20)

Ingredients:

• 6 cans (15 oz each) navy or pinto beans, drained
• 1 lb bacon, chopped
• 1 large onion, diced
• 1 cup ketchup
• 1/2 cup molasses
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1/4 cup yellow mustard
• 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce

Instructions:

1. Cook bacon until crispy. Remove and set aside.
2. Sauté onion in bacon fat until soft.
3. Add all remaining ingredients including bacon.
4. Simmer on stovetop 30 minutes or bake at 350°F for 1 hour.

Slow Cooker Option: Combine everything in slow cooker on low for 4-6 hours. Cost: $8 for 20 servings = $0.40 per serving.

Corn on the Cob (20 Servings)

Grilling Method:

1. Peel back husks (don't remove), remove silk.
2. Pull husks back over corn, soak in water 30 minutes.
3. Grill over medium heat 15-20 minutes, turning occasionally.
4. Serve with butter and salt.

Boiling Method:

1. Shuck corn completely.
2. Boil in salted water 5-7 minutes.
3. Serve with butter and salt.

In-Season Savings: Corn is cheapest in summer (often $0.25-0.50 per ear).

Shopping Strategy

Where to Shop

Warehouse Clubs (Costco, Sam's Club):

• Bulk ground beef
• Large packs chicken
• Cases of water and soda
• Large bags chips

Discount Grocers (Aldi, Save-A-Lot):

• Produce
• Condiments
• Hot dogs and buns
• Canned goods

Regular Grocery (Loss Leaders):

• Check weekly ads for meat sales
• Buy chicken when $0.99/lb or less
• Stock up on condiments when on sale

Shopping Timeline

2 Weeks Before:

• Check ads for meat sales
• Buy non-perishables (canned beans, condiments, paper products)

1 Week Before:

• Buy frozen items if on sale
• Purchase shelf-stable items

3 Days Before:

• Buy fresh produce
• Buy meat (or earlier if freezing)

Day Before:

• Final produce shopping
• Buy ice
• Prep make-ahead sides

Bulk Buying Breakdown

What to Buy in Bulk:

• Ground beef (family packs save $0.50-1.00/lb)
• Chicken leg quarters (10-lb bags)
• Potatoes (10-lb bags vs. per-pound pricing)
• Hot dog and hamburger buns (warehouse club packs)

Don't Bulk Buy:

• Condiments you won't use again
• Produce you can't use within a week
• Specialty items for one recipe

Prep Timeline

2 Days Before

• Make potato salad
• Make coleslaw
• Prepare baked beans (refrigerate, bake day-of)

1 Day Before

• Form hamburger patties
• Season chicken
• Cube watermelon
• Set up serving area

Day Of

Morning:

• Set out folding tables and chairs
• Arrange serving area
• Cut vegetable toppings
• Put drinks on ice

2 Hours Before:

• Start grill
• Warm baked beans
• Set out sides in serving dishes

1 Hour Before:

• Start grilling chicken
• Boil or grill corn

30 Minutes Before:

• Grill burgers and hot dogs
• Toast buns
• Set out all condiments

Money-Saving Substitutions

If You Need to Cut More:

Skip the Hot Dogs: Save $15

• Increases burgers and chicken slightly
• Fewer protein options but still filling

Use Frozen Corn: Save $5

• Not as impressive but tastes fine
• Boil or microwave according to package

Skip Cheese on Burgers: Save $5

• Offer as optional topping instead
• Reduces cost without major impact

Make Brownies Instead of Watermelon: Save $3

• Box brownies cost $1-2 and serve many
• Less refreshing but sweet and cheap

Ask Guests to Bring Sides: Save $10-20

• You provide proteins
• Guests bring sides, desserts, drinks
• Potluck style reduces host burden

Beverage Strategy

Budget Options:

Most Affordable:

• Large jugs of lemonade or iced tea (make from powder)
• Fill coolers with water bottles
• Cost: $8-10 for 20 people

Mid-Range:

• 2-liter bottles of soda (on sale)
• Pitcher of homemade lemonade
• Cost: $12-15

Guest Contributions:

• Ask guests to bring their own beverages
• Provide ice and coolers
• Your Cost: $5-8 for ice only

Skip Alcohol:

• Alcohol inflates costs dramatically
• BYOB if guests want beer or wine
• Keeps budget under control

Serving & Presentation Tips

Make It Look Good:

Protein Station:

• Arrange burgers, hot dogs, and chicken on platters
• Use aluminum pans for easy cleanup
• Keep warm with chafing dishes or on grill

Condiment Bar:

• Set out all toppings buffet-style
• Label dishes for allergies
• Provide serving utensils

Sides Table:

• Use large bowls for salads
• Keep cold sides on ice if outdoors in heat
• Garnish for visual appeal

Self-Serve Setup:

• Reduces host stress
• Lets guests customize meals
• Creates flow and prevents bottlenecks

What to Borrow vs. Buy

Borrow if Possible:

• Extra coolers
• Folding tables and chairs
• Serving platters and bowls
• Chafing dishes

Buy Disposable:

• Plates, cups, utensils
• Napkins
• Aluminum pans
• Trash bags

Already Have:

• Grill and tools
• Basic serving utensils
• Tablecloths (or use disposable)

Common Budget BBQ Mistakes

Mistake 1: Too Much Variety Offering 6 proteins and 8 sides sounds impressive but costs a fortune. Stick to 2-3 proteins and 4-5 sides.

Mistake 2: Buying Pre-Made Everything Store-bought sides cost 3-4x homemade versions. Make sides yourself.

Mistake 3: Not Shopping Sales Plan your menu around what's on sale that week. Flexibility saves money.

Mistake 4: Overbuying People eat less than you think at buffets. Stick to the plan.

Mistake 5: Forgetting Serving Sizes Use proper portions: 1/3-1/2 lb meat per person, 1 cup each side per person.

Scaling the Menu

For 10 People (Cut Everything in Half):

• Cost: $50-60
• Use smaller quantities
• Same recipes, half the ingredients

For 30 People (Add 50%):

• Cost: $140-160
• Add another protein option
• Increase all sides by 50%

For 50 People (Double Plus):

• Cost: $220-250
• Consider renting equipment
• Enlist help for cooking and serving
• Potluck sides to reduce cost

Leftover Strategy

Plan for Leftovers:

• Send guests home with to-go containers
• Use leftovers for meal prep
• Freeze cooked burgers and chicken

Leftover Ideas:

• Chopped BBQ chicken over salad
• Burgers reheated for lunch
• Potato salad for weekday sides
• Beans over rice

For more leftover ideas, see our meal prep tips guide.

Real Budget Breakdown

Let's break down exactly where the money goes:

Proteins: $52 (49% of budget) Sides: $32 (30% of budget) Extras/Dessert: $22 (21% of budget) Beverages: $12 (11% of budget)

Where to Cut First:

1. Reduce protein variety (skip hot dogs)
2. Use BYOB for drinks
3. Ask for potluck sides
4. Skip cheese and premium toppings

Bare Bones Budget ($75):

• Burgers and chicken only
• 3 sides (potato salad, coleslaw, beans)
• Water only
• Watermelon dessert
• Basic condiments

Conclusion

Feeding 20 people at a backyard BBQ for under $100 isn't just possible—it's actually pretty easy when you plan strategically. The secret is choosing affordable proteins, making sides from scratch, shopping smart, and focusing on crowd-pleasers instead of elaborate dishes.

Your guests won't know you're on a budget. They'll just know they had great food, good company, and a fun time. That's what matters at a BBQ, not whether you served expensive steaks or fancy appetizers.

Use this menu as a template, adjust based on what's on sale in your area, and don't stress about impressing people with expensive items. The best BBQs are the ones where everyone leaves full and happy—and you didn't have to take out a loan to make it happen.

Fire up that grill, prep those simple sides, and enjoy hosting a memorable BBQ that doesn't break the bank. Your wallet will thank you, and so will your full, satisfied guests.