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Sizzling summer: the real cost of a Great British BBQ in 2022
The new Best Value BBQ Report from the personal finance experts at money.co.uk reveals how to cut shopping bills and stick to your budget during the Great British Summer of barbecues.
Summertime is in full swing, and with longer days and warmer weather not going anywhere for a while, al fresco feasting is firmly on the menu.
Getting together with friends and family to tuck into a Great British Barbecue is one of life's simple pleasures; think charcoal chicken, succulent sausages and an endless supply of summery sides.
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However, it’s easy to overspend when BBQ shopping, so it's important to keep budgets under control. The average BBQ cost in the UK can significantly increase depending on the supermarket you choose to shop in, so be sure to choose wisely!
Aldi crowned cheapest supermarket for BBQ food for second year running
Aldi, Tesco, Asda, Waitrose, Morrisons, or Sainsbury’s?
Our report analyses the big six UK supermarkets against each other to reveal which offers the cheapest basket of BBQ essentials.
| Budget Supermarket Basket | Meat Av Cost 2021 | Meat Av Cost 2022 | Plant Av Cost 2021 | Plant Av Cost 2022 | Fish Av Cost 2021 | Fish Av Cost 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aldi | £39 | £42 | £15 | £12 | £20 | £20 |
| Tesco | £52 | £49 | £30 | £22 | £29 | £27 |
| Waitrose | £55 | £58 | £38 | £21 | £38 | £30 |
| Asda | £53 | £48 | £28 | £16 | £18 | £21 |
| Sainsbury's | £42 | £48 | £29 | £20 | £31 | £21 |
| Morrisons | £50 | £54 | £21 | £22 | £28 | £31 |
| Luxury Supermarket Basket | Meat Av Cost 2021 | Meat Av Cost 2022 | Plant Av Cost 2021 | Plant Av Cost 2022 | Fish Av Cost 2021 | Fish Av Cost 2022 |
| Aldi | £73 | £65 | £29 | £20 | £25 | £26 |
| Tesco | £94 | £104 | £53 | £35 | £41 | £36 |
| Waitrose | £105 | £160 | £67 | £39 | £52 | £56 |
| Asda | £76 | £96 | £37 | £28 | £25 | £29 |
| Sainsbury's | £86 | £139 | £77 | £33 | £42 | £41 |
| Morrisons | £76 | £104 | £41 | £31 | £36 | £34 |
Having looked at costs for different numbers of guests and a range of dietary requirements, we can reveal which famous chain will give you the best value for money when it comes to BBQ goodies this summer.
Looking at pricing data from June 2022 we found that Aldi was crowned cheapest overall supermarket for a meat, vegetarian, vegan and pescatarian cookout, for the second year running!
A basket of groceries for a traditional meat BBQ, including chicken, burgers, sausages and steaks, will cost an average of £42.12 to feed between two and 10 guests.
A great option for health-conscious diners, a plant-based BBQ will cost an average of £11.50 for between two and 10 guests. Grilling for four will set you back £8.63 at Aldi - that’s £7.87 less than if shopping at supermarket giant Tesco, and £7.39 less than a BBQ basket at Waitrose.
If you fancy something a bit different, a fish-based BBQ will cost you £20.24 for between two and 10 guests if you head to Aldi.
Customers hosting a party of six can expect to pay £20.24 at Aldi, compared to supermarkets Morrisons (£31.32) and Waitrose (£30.30), a respective 55% and 50% cheaper.
Budget vs Luxury : Which of the big six supermarkets have the cheapest Budget and Luxury ranges?
The Best Value BBQ Report also analysed the price difference between ‘essential’ and ‘finest’ food options across each of the big six supermarkets to find out which have the cheapest and most expensive ranges.
The team studied own-brand items – such as quarter pounder beef burgers (two or four per pack), pork sausages (six or eight per pack), and burger buns, alongside ‘finest’ options of the same items.
Choosing the ‘essential’ range will save you £61.25 on your summer BBQ
| Budget BBQ - Meat | Cost - Two People | Cost - Four People | Cost - Six People | Cost - Eight People | Cost - Ten People | Average Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aldi 2021 | £26.40 | £29.87 | £39.81 | £41.89 | £54.64 | £38.52 |
| Aldi 2022 | £21.06 | £31.59 | £42.12 | £52.65 | £63.18 | £42.12 |
| Tesco 2021 | £34.93 | £42.08 | £51.23 | £59.16 | £73.96 | £52.27 |
| Tesco 2022 | £24.26 | £36.39 | £48.52 | £60.65 | £72.78 | £48.52 |
| Waitrose 2021 | £29.81 | £38.11 | £58.41 | £64.31 | £86.51 | £55.43 |
| Waitrose 2022 | £29.13 | £43.70 | £58.26 | £72.83 | £87.39 | £58.26 |
| Asda 2021 | £28.96 | £40.59 | £54.98 | £60.82 | £78.84 | £52.84 |
| Asda 2022 | £24.23 | £36.35 | £48.46 | £60.58 | £72.69 | £48.46 |
| Sainsbury's 2021 | £23.37 | £29.49 | £43.77 | £49.74 | £64.95 | £42.26 |
| Sainsbury's 2022 | £24.09 | £36.14 | £48.18 | £60.23 | £72.27 | £48.18 |
| Morrisons 2021 | £32.56 | £39.04 | £49.57 | £52.26 | £77.08 | £50.10 |
| Morrisons 2022 | £27.22 | £40.83 | £54.44 | £68.05 | £81.66 | £54.44 |
| Luxury BBQ - Meat | Cost - Two People | Cost - Four People | Cost - Six People | Cost - Eight People | Cost - Ten People | Average Cost |
| Aldi 2021 | £40.99 | £50.60 | £73.58 | £81.86 | £118.06 | £73.02 |
| Aldi 2022 | £32.56 | £48.84 | £65.12 | £81.40 | £97.68 | £65.12 |
| Tesco 2021 | £55.09 | £71.79 | £96.28 | £107.70 | £138.47 | £93.87 |
| Tesco 2022 | £51.80 | £77.70 | £103.60 | £129.50 | £155.40 | £103.60 |
| Waitrose 2021 | £61.87 | £71.22 | £111.49 | £120.77 | £159.05 | £104.88 |
| Waitrose 2022 | £79.78 | £119.67 | £159.56 | £199.45 | £239.34 | £159.56 |
| Asda 2021 | £42.24 | £56.94 | £79.61 | £88.61 | £111.60 | £75.80 |
| Asda 2022 | £47.85 | £71.78 | £95.70 | £119.63 | £143.55 | £95.70 |
| Sainsbury's 2021 | £42.83 | £56.83 | £90.08 | £102.26 | £136.26 | £85.65 |
| Sainsbury's 2022 | £69.72 | £104.58 | £139.44 | £174.30 | £209.16 | £139.44 |
| Morrisons 2021 | £44.90 | £56.15 | £79.50 | £90.15 | £111.10 | £76.36 |
| Morrisons 2022 | £52.02 | £78.03 | £104.04 | £130.05 | £156.06 | £104.04 |
We can reveal that opting for supermarket own brand value items for your BBQ could save you up to £61.25, compared with purchasing items from the finest ranges.
Comparing the average prices between each supermarket analysed in the report, we can reveal that - on average - purchasing only luxury BBQ items will set you back £111.24, as opposed to value items at £49.99 - a saving of £61.25.
Overall, Aldi was revealed as the supermarket offering the best deals across BBQ meat products, with the average basket costing £42.12 based on the average BBQ party size of six.
Sainsbury’s (£48.18) took second place, with Asda (£48.46) following closely behind in third. Tesco (£48.52) and Morrisons (£54.44) are in fourth and fifth place.
The most expensive supermarket for our budget barbecue basket is - unsurprisingly - Waitrose (£58.26), £16.14 more expensive than Aldi.
If you're looking to go all out this summer and treat your guests to a luxury barbecue feast, you can opt for the finest range of food products at each supermarket.
Looking at the cost of luxury barbecue essentials, Waitrose was crowned as the most expensive overall, costing a whopping £159.56 on average for a barbecue shop for between two and 10 guests.
Sainsbury's (£139.44) takes second place with Morrisons (£104.04) coming in third position. Tesco came in fourth (£103.60), with Asda (£95.70) and Aldi (£65.12) in fifth and sixth place.
Luxury range adds £17.94 to a plant-based basket at Waitrose
| Budget BBQ - Plant | Cost - Two People | Cost - Four People | Cost - Six People | Cost - Eight People | Cost - Ten People | Average Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aldi 2021 | £6.07 | £12.14 | £17.42 | £18.21 | £23.49 | £15.47 |
| Aldi 2022 | £5.75 | £8.63 | £11.50 | £14.38 | £17.25 | £11.50 |
| Tesco 2021 | £9.25 | £22.00 | £33.00 | £38.25 | £49.25 | £30.35 |
| Tesco 2022 | £11.00 | £16.50 | £22.00 | £27.50 | £33.00 | £22.00 |
| Waitrose 2021 | £11.35 | £22.85 | £39.95 | £47.30 | £66.80 | £37.65 |
| Waitrose 2022 | £10.68 | £16.02 | £21.36 | £26.70 | £32.04 | £21.36 |
| Asda 2021 | £8.20 | £19.70 | £30.70 | £35.55 | £47.40 | £28.31 |
| Asda 2022 | £8.00 | £12.00 | £16.00 | £20.00 | £24.00 | £16.00 |
| Sainsbury's 2021 | £9.50 | £17.50 | £31.00 | £35.00 | £52.50 | £29.10 |
| Sainsbury's 2022 | £10.10 | £15.15 | £20.20 | £25.25 | £30.30 | £20.20 |
| Morrisons 2021 | £8.18 | £15.16 | £23.34 | £24.54 | £31.52 | £20.55 |
| Morrisons 2022 | £11.16 | £16.74 | £22.32 | £27.90 | £33.48 | £22.32 |
| Luxury BBQ - Plant | Cost - Two People | Cost - Four People | Cost - Six People | Cost - Eight People | Cost - Ten People | Average Cost |
| Aldi 2021 | £9.44 | £21.07 | £31.41 | £36.18 | £46.52 | £28.92 |
| Aldi 2022 | £9.79 | £14.69 | £19.58 | £24.48 | £29.37 | £19.58 |
| Tesco 2021 | £14.75 | £37.25 | £57.75 | £67.50 | £88.00 | £53.05 |
| Tesco 2022 | £17.45 | £26.18 | £34.90 | £43.63 | £52.35 | £34.90 |
| Waitrose 2021 | £18.75 | £44.75 | £73.50 | £86.25 | £112.25 | £67.10 |
| Waitrose 2022 | £19.65 | £29.48 | £39.30 | £49.13 | £58.95 | £39.30 |
| Asda 2021 | £10.90 | £24.85 | £40.30 | £46.35 | £61.80 | £36.84 |
| Asda 2022 | £13.75 | £20.63 | £27.50 | £34.38 | £41.25 | £27.50 |
| Sainsbury's 2021 | £17.50 | £42.50 | £70.00 | £80.00 | £174.05 | £76.81 |
| Sainsbury's 2022 | £16.45 | £24.68 | £32.90 | £41.13 | £49.35 | £32.90 |
| Morrisons 2021 | £11.50 | £27.50 | £45.50 | £52.50 | £68.50 | £41.10 |
| Morrisons 2022 | £15.40 | £23.10 | £30.80 | £38.50 | £46.20 | £30.80 |
If hosting a plant-based BBQ this summer, our report reveals that Aldi is the cheapest supermarket to stock up on plant-based meat alternatives.
Aldi’s value range will only cost consumers an average of £11.50 for between two and 10 people. If you’re looking to treat yourself, opting for the supermarkets ‘specially selected’ range, expect to add an extra £8.08 to your barbecue shopping bill.
Waitrose emerged as the most expensive supermarket with their luxury range amounting to £39.30 - £19.72 more expensive than the specially selected food bill from Aldi.
However, if opting for Waitrose value range, your barbecue basket can be reduced by £17.94.
Opt for a Luxury fish BBQ over meat and save £12
| Budget BBQ - Fish | Cost - Two People | Cost - Four People | Cost - Six People | Cost - Eight People | Cost - Ten People | Average Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aldi 2021 | £12.07 | £12.86 | £21.15 | £21.94 | £33.22 | £20.25 |
| Aldi 2022 | £10.12 | £15.18 | £20.24 | £25.30 | £30.36 | £20.24 |
| Tesco 2021 | £17.50 | £19.25 | £30.40 | £32.15 | £47.90 | £29.44 |
| Tesco 2022 | £13.29 | £19.94 | £26.58 | £33.23 | £39.87 | £26.58 |
| Waitrose 2021 | £21.10 | £21.10 | £42.20 | £43.80 | £63.30 | £38.30 |
| Waitrose 2022 | £15.15 | £22.73 | £30.30 | £37.88 | £45.45 | £30.30 |
| Asda 2021 | £9.88 | £10.73 | £19.76 | £20.61 | £30.49 | £18.29 |
| Asda 2022 | £10.40 | £15.60 | £20.80 | £26.00 | £31.20 | £20.80 |
| Sainsbury's 2021 | £17.25 | £17.25 | £34.50 | £34.50 | £51.75 | £31.05 |
| Sainsbury's 2022 | £10.50 | £15.75 | £21.00 | £26.25 | £31.50 | £21.00 |
| Morrisons 2021 | £15.65 | £15.65 | £31.30 | £32.50 | £46.95 | £28.41 |
| Morrisons 2022 | £15.66 | £23.49 | £31.32 | £39.15 | £46.98 | £31.32 |
| Luxury BBQ - Fish | Cost - Two People | Cost - Four People | Cost - Six People | Cost - Eight People | Cost - Ten People | Average Cost |
| Aldi 2021 | £15.24 | £16.53 | £26.20 | £27.49 | £40.15 | £25.12 |
| Aldi 2022 | £12.86 | £19.29 | £25.72 | £32.15 | £38.58 | £25.72 |
| Tesco 2021 | £22.50 | £24.50 | £45.00 | £47.00 | £67.50 | £41.30 |
| Tesco 2022 | £18.20 | £27.30 | £36.40 | £45.50 | £54.60 | £36.40 |
| Waitrose 2021 | £28.50 | £28.50 | £57.00 | £59.75 | £85.50 | £51.85 |
| Waitrose 2022 | £28.20 | £42.30 | £56.40 | £70.50 | £84.60 | £56.40 |
| Asda 2021 | £13.65 | £13.65 | £27.30 | £28.65 | £42.30 | £25.11 |
| Asda 2022 | £14.70 | £22.05 | £29.40 | £36.75 | £44.10 | £29.40 |
| Sainsbury's 2021 | £23.45 | £23.45 | £46.90 | £46.90 | £70.35 | £42.21 |
| Sainsbury's 2022 | £20.25 | £30.38 | £40.50 | £50.63 | £60.75 | £40.50 |
| Morrisons 2021 | £20.00 | £20.00 | £40.50 | £41.50 | £60.00 | £36.40 |
| Morrisons 2022 | £17.16 | £25.74 | £34.32 | £42.90 | £51.48 | £34.32 |
Those who wish to surprise and delight guests with something a bit different by adding fish and seafood to their summer BBQ’s can save £12 on the nose by opting for a supermarket's budget offering.
Aldi was revealed to be the cheapest BBQ option for pescatarians, with a budget shop costing on average £20.24. However, the brands ‘extra special’ range will add an extra £5.48 to a shopping bill.
Waitrose is the most expensive supermarket option for fish-lovers, with luxury items amounting to £56.40 - £26.10 more expensive than its value basket offering.
Salman Haqqi, money.co.uk’s personal finance expert offers his top tips on how to save money on your summer barbecues:
“Eating freshly grilled food with great company in an alfresco setting is one of summer's great pleasures; You just can't beat a BBQ when the sun is out!
Hosting one can be quite expensive, however there are simple ways to make your budget go a long way this BBQ season.
“The new report reveals that opting for a luxury fish BBQ over meat will save you a solid £12, so why not re-create your last Mediterranean holiday by putting on a sea-food feast for guests? Not only will you be saving yourself money, you'll be giving guests something a little out of the ordinary and hosting BBQ they won't forget.
“Veganuary is getting more and more popular every year, but it doesn't have to just be a monthly 'fad'; eating plant-based all year round is not only healthier and better for the environment, it's cheaper too! Stock up on tasty seasonal vegetables and serve up colourful veggie kebabs along side oodles of fresh salads and crusty bread to give your guests a spread that will not only look great but taste amazing.”
Top tips for saving money on your BBQ
Delving a little deeper into holding BBQ’s on a budget, the money.co.uk team have also researched some top tips from some of the most influential money-saving bloggers in the UK on the best ways to stretch the summer savings on al fresco dining:
When it comes to which items to serve if you're having a large party of guests, moneysavingcentral.co.uk offers up some great ideas, and suggests choosing cheaper cuts of meat that will fill everyone up and make sure no one goes hungry:
“Hotdogs are by far the cheapest item on the BBQ food list so make sure you stock up with plenty of them to fill people up which enables you to buy less of the more expensive items - Kids love hotdogs so let your guests fill up on the cheaper ones before you get out the more expensive meats.
"Chicken on the bone is much cheaper than boneless chicken breasts and is great cooked on the barbecue with a homemade rub.”
They also emphasise the importance of grabbing deals when you can:
“Go to the supermarket nice and early on the morning of your BBQ and head straight for the reduced counter. You can get your hands on fresh meats that need to be eaten that day and can have a hefty saving too! You will also find salads and sides such as coleslaw and potato salads in the reduced cabinet that will need to be eaten that day - which is perfect. ”
Thriftyfrugalmom.com Lydia reminds us the benefits of reaping the rewards from a bit of hard graft and doing things like marinading and chopping yourself:
"Pre-cut foods like veggies and raw meat are convenient and save time, however, that convenience comes at a price (literally). In fact, the price of pre-made veggies and meats are 50 to 75 percent more costly than preparing your own! Plus they’re not as healthy since such processing causes nutrient loss due to the packaging process. Ultimately, it’s better to chop your own veggies and meat; the labor is worth saving money in the end. To save time, make it a family affair and get your kids involved by helping!"
Methodology and sources
In the new Summer Sizzler Study by money.co.uk, the consumer spending experts have revealed the average cost of a British BBQ this summer.
We analysed 22 popular barbecue foods in six supermarkets, and calculated the average basket price of our shopping for July 2022. The Best Value BBQ report also analysed the price difference between value and finest food options in each supermarket to reveal where the best deals can be found.
Our basket included own-brand items – such as quarter pounder beef burgers (two or four per pack), pork sausages (six or eight per pack), and burger buns, alongside finest options of the same items.
Average cost: We looked at the cost for party sizes of two, four, six, eight and 10 people and from this we found the average basket value for each supermarket by finding the average cost between two and 10 guests. In the copy we have put the average guest size as six due to the average of two, four, six, eight and 10 equalling this figure.Missing tuna data: Asda, Sainsbury’s and Morrisons luxury and budget basket totals excludes tuna due to the item not being available online to analyse.
Please note: Most food items are fresh products, but when not available we picked a frozen alternative.
Sources:
https://www.trolley.co.uk/
The report also looks at the average cost of a traditional, vegan/vegetarian and pescatarian BBQ for adults and children.
Traditional/Meat BBQ - Adults and Children
We began by creating a list of 22 of the most popular BBQ foods using the following article:
https://www.omnicalculator.com/food/bbq-party
We then used a calculator to work out the average portion size needed to cater for a party size of four, six, eight and 10 adult guests and one, two, four, six, eight and 10 children. To calculate the average cost for each party size we used a calculator and Trolley.co.uk to find the average price of each product across the UK's biggest supermarkets.
We then revealed how much money on average Brits would be spending for each party size overall during summer/or a heatwave using this article as a source:
https://www.mirror.co.uk/money/shopping-deals/britain-braced-1billion-bank-holiday-23839267
Trolley.co.uk: When using this source to gather the costing figures we pulled all the products available in each food category and found the average/typical price for the portion. For each portion we found the average price for each pack (for example a four pack of chicken breast fillets) and then doubled the quantity for the amount of food required for the number of guests.
Omnicalculator: This source gets the price range for each portion from here and here and the data is correct as of 12/05/21.
Sources:
https://www.omnicalculator.com/food/bbq-party
https://www.trolley.co.uk/
https://www.mirror.co.uk/money/shopping-deals/britain-braced-1billion-bank-holiday-23839267
Please note: The appetite setting on the calculator was set at “Bring the food” with the portion sizes being equivalent to this appetite measurement. The same appetite setting was applied to calculate the children's portion sizes, so that it was proportionate to the adults hunger levels.
When using the calculator to determine the average cost of each product we converted USD to GBP, currency conversion correct as of 18/05/21.
Vegetarian/Vegan BBQ - Adults and Children
We began by creating a list of 5 of the most popular vegan and vegetarian BBQ foods using the following articles:
https://www.omnicalculator.com/food/bbq-party
https://www.vegansociety.com/news/blog/8-best-vegan-bbq-recipes
We then used a calculator to work out the average portion size needed to cater for a party size of four, six, eight and 10 adult guests and one, two, four, six, eight and 10 children. To calculate the average cost for each party size we used a calculator and Trolley.co.uk to find the average price of each product across the UK's biggest supermarkets.
Trolley.co.uk: When using this source to gather the costing figures we pulled all the products available in each food category and found the average/typical price for the portion. For each portion we found the average price for each pack (for example a pack of two vegetarian burgers) and then doubled the quantity for the amount of food required for the number of guests.
Omnicalculator: This source gets the price range for each portion from here and here and the data is correct as of 13/07/2022
Sources:
https://www.omnicalculator.com/food/bbq-party
https://www.trolley.co.uk/
https://www.vegansociety.com/news/blog/8-best-vegan-bbq-recipes
Please note: The appetite setting on the calculator was set at “Bring the food” with the portion sizes being equivalent to this appetite measurement. The same appetite setting was applied to calculate the children's portion sizes, so that it was proportionate to the adults hunger levels.
Pescatarian BBQ - Adults and Children
We began by creating a list of 4 of the most popular fish to BBQ using the following articles:
https://progressivegrocer.com/10-most-popular-fish-make-90-volume
https://www.omnicalculator.com/food/bbq-partyWe then used a calculator to work out the average portion size needed to cater for a party size of four, six, eight and 10 adult guests and one, two, four, six, eight and 10 children. To calculate the average cost for each party size we used a calculator and Trolley.co.uk to find the average price of each product across the UK's biggest supermarkets.
Trolley.co.uk: When using this source to gather the costing figures we pulled all the products available in each food category and found the average/typical price for the portion. For each portion we found the average price for each pack (for example a two pack of salmon fillets) and then doubled the quantity for the amount of food required for the number of guests.
Omnicalculator: This source gets the price range for each portion from here and here and the data is correct as of 13/07/2022
To calculate the price evolution of each item we compared BBQ baskets from 2021 and 2022, for each group of people (4 / 6 / 8 / 10 people) and each category (meat / fish / veggie), and applied a percentage of change : (Time 2 - Time 1) / Time 1.
We then calculated each meat / fish / veggie basket average percentage evolution to understand how inflation is currently impacting shoppers.
Sources:
https://www.omnicalculator.com/food/bbq-party
https://www.trolley.co.uk/
https://progressivegrocer.com/10-most-popular-fish-make-90-volume
Please note: The appetite setting on the calculator was set at “Bring the food” with the portion sizes being equivalent to this appetite measurement. The same appetite setting was applied to calculate the children's portion sizes, so that it was proportionate to the adults' hunger levels.
About Salman Haqqi
Salman is our personal finance editor with over 10 years’ experience as a journalist. He has previously written for Finder and regularly provides his expert view on financial and consumer spending issues for local and national press such as The Express, Travel Daily, and The Daily Star.
View Salman Haqqi's full biography here or visit the money.co.uk press centre for our latest news.
Great British BBQ 2021
Great British BBQ 2021 data
The average cost of a family BBQ revealed
Delicious hot dogs, sizzling sausages or plant-based alternatives? Our report looks at the cost of a family BBQ whether you are a meat eater, vegetarian, vegan or even pescatarian.
Updated 9 June 2021
| Family Meat BBQ | Two Adults | Cost | Two Children | Cost | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beef burgers | 200g | £2.75 | Beef burgers | 120g | £0.99 |
| Pork chops | 113g | £2.00 | Pork chops | 56.5g | £0.64 |
| Veggies | 600g | £2.11 | Veggies | 300g | £1.06 |
| Chicken drumsticks | 50g | £2.00 | Chicken drumsticks | 20g | £0.37 |
| Chicken thighs | 30g | £1.65 | Chicken thighs | 13.5g | £0.37 |
| Sausages | 350g | £2.00 | Chicken breast | 27g | £0.37 |
| Baby back pork rib (rack) | 100g | £3.00 | Sausages | 175g | £0.39 |
| Medium steaks | 120g | £3.70 | Small steaks | 50g | £0.99 |
| Large steaks | 75g | £4.00 | |||
| Burger buns | 2 buns | £1.00 |
| Family Plant-Based BBQ | Two Adults | Cost | Two Children | Cost | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Veggie burgers | 200g | £1.49 | Veggie burgers | 120g | £0.99 |
| Veggie sausages | 350g | £2.00 | Veggie sausages | 175g | £0.39 |
| Plant-based burger | 200g | £1.25 | Plant-based burger | 120g | £0.99 |
| Plant-based sausages | 350g | £2.35 | Plant-based sausages | 175g | £0.39 |
| Veggies | 600g | £2.11 | Veggies | 300g | £1.06 |
| Total | £9.20 | Total | £3.82 | ||
| Family Fish BBQ | Two Adults | Cost | undefined | Two Children | Cost |
| Salmon | 130g | £2.95 | Salmon | 65g | £0.99 |
| Cod | 130g | £2.75 | Cod | 65g | £0.99 |
| Tuna | 130g | £4.00 | Tuna | 65g | £0.99 |
| Veggies | 600g | £2.11 | Veggies | 300g | £1.06 |
| Sea bass | 130g | £4.00 | Sea bass | 65g | £0.99 |
| Total | £15.81 | Total | £5.02 |
During the summer, Brits are well versed in taking advantage of sunny afternoons and longer evenings to enjoy a BBQ feast with their nearest and dearest. The average family in the UK consists of two adults and two children, so from this the team have determined the average cost of a family BBQ, plus the perfect portion sizes guaranteed to satisfy appetites of all sizes!
For a traditional meat-eating family, a BBQ this summer will cost approximately £29.39. For families following a vegetarian or plant-based diet, the cost decreases by a significant 55%, at an average cost of £13.02 for a typical BBQ.
For fish-loving pescatarian families, a summer BBQ will cost around £20.83 on average - 59% more than a vegetarian or vegan BBQ.
Dinner for 2: Plant-based BBQ’s are 163% cheaper for vegan couples
Updated 9 June 2021
| Meat BBQ for Two | Two Adults | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Beef burgers | 200g | £2.75 |
| Pork chops | 113g | £2.00 |
| Veggies | 600g | £2.11 |
| Chicken drumsticks | 50g | £2.00 |
| Chicken thighs | 30g | £1.65 |
| Sausages | 350g | £2.00 |
| Baby back pork rib (rack) | 100g | £3.00 |
| Medium steaks | 120g | £3.70 |
| Large steaks | 75g | £4.00 |
| Burger buns | 2 buns | £1.00 |
| Total Cost | £24.21 | |
| Plant-based BBQ for Two | ||
| Veggie burgers | 200g | £1.49 |
| Veggie sausages | 350g | £2.00 |
| Plant-based burger | 200g | £1.25 |
| Plant-based sausages | 350g | £2.35 |
| Veggies | 600g | £2.11 |
| Total Cost | £9.20 | |
| Fishy BBQ for Two | ||
| Salmon | 130g | £2.95 |
| Cod | 130g | £2.75 |
| Tuna | 130g | £4.00 |
| Veggies | 600g | £2.11 |
| Sea bass | 130g | £4.00 |
| Total Cost | £15.81 |
For couples firing up the coals this summer, a traditional meat centric BBQ will set you back £24.51 on average, but opting for a vegetarian or vegan alternative BBQ will save you £15.01 from the cost of your shopping bill.
What’s more, opting for a fish based BBQ this summer will cost 34% less than a traditional BBQ meat-feast, at an overall average of £15.81.
Aldi crowned the cheapest supermarket for BBQ food
Aldi, Tesco, Asda, Waitrose, Morrisons, or Sainsbury’s?
Our report analyses the big six UK supermarkets against each other to reveal which offers the cheapest basket of BBQ goodies.
Updated 9 June 2021
| Budget Supermarket Basket | Meat Cost Average | Plant-Based Cost Average | Fish Cost Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Asda | £52.84 | £28.31 | £18.29 |
| Aldi | £38.52 | £15.47 | £20.25 |
| Morrisons | £50.10 | £20.55 | £28.41 |
| Tesco | £52.27 | £30.35 | £29.44 |
| Sainsbury's | £42.26 | £29.10 | £31.05 |
| Waitrose | £55.43 | £37.65 | £38.30 |
| Luxury Supermarket Basket | Meat Cost Average | Plant-Based Cost Average | Fish Cost Average |
| Asda | £75.80 | £36.84 | £25.11 |
| Aldi | £73.02 | £28.92 | £25.12 |
| Morrisons | £76.36 | £41.10 | £36.40 |
| Tesco | £93.87 | £53.05 | £41.30 |
| Sainsbury's | £85.65 | £76.81 | £42.21 |
| Waitrose | £104.88 | £67.10 | £51.85 |
Taking into consideration the number of guests and dietary requirements, we looked into which famous chain will give you the best value for money when it comes to BBQ essentials this summer.
Looking at pricing data from June 2021, we found that Aldi was - unsurprisingly - the cheapest overall supermarket for a meat, vegetarian, vegan and pescatarian cookout.
A basket of groceries for a traditional BBQ, including chicken, burgers, sausages and steaks, will cost an average of £38.52 to feed between two and 10 guests.
A plant-based BBQ will set you back an average of £15.37 for between two and 10 guests. Hosting a party of 4 will set you back £12.14 at Aldi - that’s £9.86 less than if shopping at supermarket giant Tesco, and £10.71 less than a BBQ basket at Waitrose.
If opting for a fish-based BBQ this summer, Aldi customers can expect to pay around £20.25 for between two and 10 guests.
Hosting a party of 6 will set consumers back just £21.15 at Aldi, compared to supermarkets Morrisons (£31.30) and Sainsbury’s (£34.50), a respective 47% and 63% cheaper.
Budget vs Luxury ranges: Which of the big six supermarkets offers the best deals?
The Best Value BBQ Report also analysed the price difference between ‘value’ and ‘finest’ food options across each supermarket to reveal where the best deals can be found to suit the mood of your occasion.
The team studied own-brand items – such as quarter pounder beef burgers (two or four per pack), pork sausages (six or eight per pack), and burger buns, alongside ‘finest’ options of the same items.
Opting for ‘value’ items will save you £36.36 on your summer BBQ
Updated 9 June 2021
| Budget - Meat BBQ | Cost - Two People | Cost - Four People | Cost - Six People | Cost - Eight People | Cost - Ten People | Average Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aldi | £26.40 | £29.87 | £39.81 | £41.89 | £54.64 | £38.52 |
| Sainsbury's | £23.37 | £29.49 | £43.77 | £49.74 | £64.95 | £42.26 |
| Morrisons | £32.56 | £39.04 | £49.57 | £52.26 | £77.08 | £50.10 |
| Tesco | £34.93 | £42.08 | £51.23 | £59.16 | £73.96 | £52.27 |
| Asda | £28.96 | £40.59 | £54.98 | £60.82 | £78.84 | £52.84 |
| Waitrose | £29.81 | £38.11 | £58.41 | 64.31 | £86.51 | £55.43 |
| Luxury - Meat BBQ | Cost - Two People | Cost - Four People | Cost - Six People | Cost - Eight People | Cost - Ten People | Average Cost |
| Aldi | £40.99 | £50.60 | £73.58 | £81.86 | £118.06 | £73.02 |
| Asda | £42.24 | £56.94 | £79.61 | £88.61 | £111.60 | £75.80 |
| Morrisons | £44.90 | £56.15 | £79.50 | £90.15 | £111.10 | £76.36 |
| Sainsbury's | £42.83 | £56.83 | £90.08 | £102.26 | £136.26 | £85.65 |
| Tesco | £55.09 | £71.79 | £96.28 | £107.70 | £138.47 | £93.87 |
| Waitrose | £61.87 | £71.22 | £111.49 | £120.77 | £159.05 | £104.88 |
Our report reveals that filling a barbecue basket with supermarket own brand value items could save consumers up to £36.36, compared with purchasing items from the finest ranges.
Comparing the average prices between each supermarket analysed in the report, we can reveal that - on average - purchasing only luxury BBQ items will set you back £84.93, as opposed to value items at £48.57 - a saving of £36.36.
Overall, Aldi was revealed as the supermarket offering the best deals across BBQ meat products, with the average basket costing £38.52 based on the average BBQ party size of 6.
Sainsbury’s (£42.26) took second place, with Morrisons (£50.10) following closely behind in third. Tesco (£52.27) and Asda (£52.84) are neck- and-neck in fourth and fifth place.
The most expensive supermarket for our budget barbecue basket is Waitrose (£55.43), £16.91 more expensive than Aldi.
However, analysis of the data per party size reveals that if you are hosting a traditional BBQ for two this summer, it is in fact more cost effective to shop at Sainsbury’s, with a BBQ shop costing £3.03 less than Aldi.
If you want to splash the cash this summer and treat your guests to a luxury barbecue feast, you can opt for the finest range of food products at each supermarket.
Looking at the cost of luxury barbecue essentials, Waitrose was crowned as the most expensive overall at £104.88 on average for a barbecue shop for between 2 and 10 guests.
Tesco (£93.87) takes second place with Sainsbury’s (£85.65) coming in third position. Whereas, Morrisons (£76.36), Asda (£75.80), and Aldi (£73.02) all had similar luxury basket costs.
Luxury items add £23.74 to a plant-based shopping bill
Updated 9 June 2021
| Budget - Plant-Based BBQ | Cost - Two People | Cost - Four People | Cost - Six People | Cost - Eight People | Cost - Ten People | Average Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aldi | £6.07 | £12.14 | £17.42 | £18.21 | £23.49 | £15.47 |
| Morrisons | £8.18 | £15.16 | £23.34 | £24.54 | £31.52 | £20.55 |
| Asda | £8.20 | £19.70 | £30.70 | £35.55 | £47.40 | £28.31 |
| Sainsbury's | £9.50 | £17.50 | £31.00 | £35.00 | £52.50 | £29.10 |
| Tesco | £9.25 | £22.00 | £33.00 | £38.25 | £49.25 | £30.35 |
| Waitrose | £11.35 | £22.85 | £39.95 | £47.30 | £66.80 | £37.65 |
| Luxury - Plant-Based BBQ | Cost - Two People | Cost - Four People | Cost - Six People | Cost - Eight People | Cost - Ten People | Average Cost |
| Aldi | £9.44 | £21.07 | £31.41 | £36.18 | £46.52 | £28.92 |
| Asda | £10.90 | £24.85 | £40.30 | £46.35 | £61.80 | £36.84 |
| Morrisons | £11.50 | £27.50 | £45.50 | £52.50 | £68.50 | £41.10 |
| Tesco | £14.75 | £37.25 | £57.75 | £67.50 | £88.00 | £53.05 |
| Waitrose | £18.75 | £44.75 | £73.50 | £86.25 | £112.25 | £67.10 |
| Sainsbury's | £17.50 | £42.50 | £70.00 | £80.00 | £174.05 | £76.81 |
If hosting a plant-based BBQ this summer, our report reveals that Aldi is the cheapest supermarket to stock up on plant-based meat alternatives.
Aldi’s value range will only cost consumers an average of £15.47 for between two and 10 people. If you’re looking to treat yourself, opting for the supermarkets ‘specially selected’ range, expect to add an extra £13.45 to your barbecue shopping bill.
Sainsbury’s emerged as the most expensive supermarket with their luxury range amounting to £76.81 - a staggering £47.89 more expensive than the specially selected food bill from Aldi.
However, if opting for Sainsbury’s value range, your barbecue basket can be reduced by £47.71.
Luxury vs budget BBQ: There’s a £9.38 difference if you prefer to eat fish
Updated 9 June 2021
| Budget - Fish BBQ | Cost - Two People | Cost - Four People | Cost - Six People | Cost - Eight People | Cost - Ten People | Average Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Asda | £9.88 | £10.73 | £19.76 | £20.61 | £30.49 | £18.29 |
| Aldi | £12.07 | £12.86 | £21.15 | £21.94 | £33.22 | £20.25 |
| Morrisons | £15.65 | £15.65 | £31.30 | £32.50 | £46.95 | £28.41 |
| Tesco | £17.50 | £19.25 | £30.40 | £32.15 | £47.90 | £29.44 |
| Sainsbury's | £17.25 | £17.25 | £34.50 | £34.50 | £51.75 | £31.05 |
| Waitrose | £21.10 | £21.10 | £42.20 | £43.80 | £63.30 | £38.30 |
| Luxury - Fish BBQ | Cost - Two People | Cost - Four People | Cost - Six People | Cost - Eight People | Cost - Ten People | Average Cost |
| Asda | £13.65 | £13.65 | £27.30 | £28.65 | £42.30 | £25.11 |
| Aldi | £15.24 | £16.53 | £26.20 | £27.49 | £40.15 | £25.12 |
| Morrisons | £20.00 | £20.00 | £40.50 | £41.50 | £60.00 | £36.40 |
| Sainsbury's | £23.45 | £23.45 | £46.90 | £46.90 | £70.35 | £42.21 |
| Tesco | £22.50 | £24.50 | £45.00 | £47.00 | £67.50 | £41.30 |
| Waitrose | £28.50 | £28.50 | £57.00 | £59.75 | £85.50 | £51.85 |
Those planning to recreate a mediterranean holiday vibe by adding fish and seafood to their summer BBQ’s can save almost £10 by opting for a supermarket's budget offering.
Asda was revealed to be the cheapest BBQ option for pescatarians, with a budget shop costing just £18.252 for 6 people. However, the brands ‘extra special’ range will add an extra £6.82 to a shopping bill.
Waitrose is the most expensive supermarket option for fish-lovers, with luxury items amounting to £51.85 - £13.55 more expensive than its value basket offering.
Salman Haqqi, money.co.uk’s personal finance expert offers his top tips on how to save money on your summer barbecues:
“One of the best things about summer is inviting all of your friends and family round for an impromptu alfresco BBQ, to enjoy delicious food and great company while the sun sets.
“Hosting a BBQ can be quite expensive, but thankfully there are ways to stretch your budget as you welcome others back into your gardens this summer.
“It’s certainly worth bearing in mind that the fewer people you invite, the fewer you will ultimately have to feed. However, if you’re looking to host a larger celebration, it’s perfectly acceptable to ask invitees to bring drinks, meat or side dishes with them. This not only means that guests will bring food with them they know they will enjoy, it will also ensure there is plenty to go around and a good selection of options for all.
“Try to look for more inexpensive cuts and types of meats while browsing the supermarket - replace the pricier options of steak and salmon with pork, turkey, cod or haddock. Finally, use your freezer space to avoid any food waste! Take advantage of any reduced food and special offers at supermarkets, and stock up on essentials for future BBQ’s.”
Top tips for saving money on your BBQ
Delving a little deeper into holding BBQ’s on a budget, the money.co.uk team have also researched some top tips from some of the most influential money-saving bloggers in the UK on the best ways to stretch the summer savings on al fresco dining:
When it comes to the most common items that are leftover from a BBQ, Jack Monroe of cookingonabootstrap.com offers up some great ideas, and suggests that any leftover bread can certainly be given a new lease of life:
“Roux, cheese, break up bread, stir, dish, cheese top bake. Mac-n-cheese/bread pud hybrid. Freeze half a loaf after purchasing so it stays in good nick, and use it for toast, bread pudding, bread crumbs and bread sauce etc..”
“Hummus makes an excellent pasta sauce hot or cold with veggies, stuffed in an aubergine or topped on a pizza as a vegan alternative to cheese.”
“Whole lemons and limes can be cut in half and popped in the washing up bowl to cut through grease. It can also be added to a cup of hot water each morning for a refreshing start to the day, or the juice can be squeezed into ice cube trays and frozen to use when needed.”
The team at moneysavingcentral.co.uk emphasise the importance of reducing waste by cooking your BBQ items in sections:
“We used to open and cook everything we had purchased and so much ended up going in the bin. When you cook in sections you open one packet at a time and can stop once everyone is full, then freeze any uncooked leftovers for another BBQ. Make sure you cook the hotdogs first to fill everyone up!”
Becky Goddard-Hill of family-budgeting.co.uk reminds us to stay focused during BBQ food shops, to stick to a shopping list, and not to fall for clever marketing tricks pushed in our direction:
“In stores, all the logistics, merchandising and promotions are subordinated to one thing - to increase sales. Here are some to the techniques used:
Contrast perception: The brain instantly responds to a simple trick. The old price is crossed out and a new, cheaper price is written in.
Greed: An ancient vice on which salesmen have learned to make money. Hence the ‘buy 3 for the price of 1”, “no more than 10 packs per household” promotions.
Sense of obligation: This works well when giving away free product samples. Many people have a sense of obligation, when it seems impossible to leave without buying a product. It’s a social instinct.”
About Salman Haqqi
Salman is our personal finance editor with over 10 years’ experience as a journalist. He has previously written for Finder and regularly provides his expert view on financial and consumer spending issues for local and national press.