Budget-friendly catering options
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Some common Southern BBQ items include:. You can find many caterers who offer BBQ options and work with them to find the perfect menu that fits your needs. Though this option is cheaper, it will leave your guests feeling just as satisfied. Similar to a buffet, a soup and salad bar is one of the most budget-friendly catering options out there.
Generally, meats and specialty items tend to be more expensive. Sticking to simpler foods like salad and soup can prevent you from overspending while providing plenty of choice. Your guests can choose from several classic mouthwatering soups, such as:.
After that, they can create a salad of their choice from a limited menu. This type of catering is perfect for a business lunch or early morning meeting that is shorter in duration or falls outside of regular meal times. This build-your-own menu gives guests just what they need to feel full and satisfied without needing a three-course meal.
Catering finger foods like sandwiches, pigs in a blanket and buffalo chicken dip is a great way to offer plenty of variety on a budget. Like the other casual options we mentioned, having a spread of finger foods also makes it easier for guests to mingle at your event without being tied to a table.
With finger foods, you promote more socialization and engagement while providing a large selection of delicious options. Finger foods can be well-suited for large sports gatherings , birthday parties, pool parties or even cocktail hour at your wedding.
Other examples of finger foods might include sliders, meatballs, spring rolls, crab cakes and hummus. Not all events necessarily require a sit-down formal dinner. While charcuterie boards are certainly popular and delicious, having a wide variety of meats may be a bit more expensive.
Not to mention, menus heavily relying on charcuterie meat can exclude vegetarian or vegan guests. With a lighter afternoon tea menu, you can save money on the cured meats. For example, your social event menu could include a pimento cheese tea sandwich, cheese and crackers, or chicken salad croissants.
Like finger foods and cheese boards, catering assorted snack items can also be a cost-effective way of feeding your guests. Some caterers offer sides or snack options that you can pick and choose from to create a simple lunch.
If you want more of an afternoon appetizer theme, combining several snack items can give you a flavorful yet cheaper menu. Some examples of snack items or appetizers you can offer include:.
These items would be perfect for a celebratory lunch in the office, a movie night event or a social hour for new employees. Some will have specific inexpensive catering menus or cost-conscious options for this purpose.
Working with a caterer that offers cheaper alternatives means you can worry less and focus on other event priorities. Budget-friendly lunch or dinner menus may offer classic items like chicken marsala, potatoes, grilled veggies and dinner rolls.
To reduce costs even further, ask about making your menu into a buffet-style. Hosting a family reunion, birthday party or holiday event? Catering an event with your closest loved ones is the perfect opportunity to choose a family-style menu. You can enjoy all the classic foods you love around the holidays, such as a juicy carved turkey or Virginia baked ham, without overspending.
Talk to your caterer about their family-style options and see if they offer additional upgrades. Have other questions about keeping your catering costs low? Depending on the type of event, you might be able to offer various desserts in large quantities that still fit your budget, including:.
To save extra money, consider cutting back on beverages or desserts. You might consider setting up a DIY beverage bar where guests can mix their drinks to their liking without having to pay for individual drinks or an open bar. To minimize costs, the most effective thing you can do is start with a simple menu.
You can also use disposable dinnerware and utensils to save money and time on cleanup. Finally, consider your portions. If you have a plated dinner, stick to smaller plate sizes to prevent guests from feeling overly full and limit food waste.
If you want quality food for your upcoming event without breaking the bank, Catering By Design can help you find a menu that fits your needs. We provide preparation, delivery, presentation and cleanup options. We also make it easy to customize our made-to-order menu options so you can create something truly unique.
Contact us today to plan your next catering event or view our menus online. General Tips for Catering on a Budget Before we dive into some inexpensive catering menu ideas, here are some budget-related catering tips.
Opt for a Buffet Style Catering a plated dinner service is often more expensive than offering a buffet. Choose Cheaper Alternatives Whether hosting a black-tie wedding or a casual corporate lunch , you can offer guests delicious food without serving top-dollar filet mignon.
Control the Duration of the Event Some catering businesses charge by the hour, especially if servers are included. Consider the Alcohol Serving alcohol — such as via an open bar — can increase your catering price.
Consider the Time of Day When catering to large groups , the time of day can also influence your bill. Budget-Friendly Catering Ideas Affordable meals can make just as much of an impression as pricier options.
Breakfast for Dinner Breakfast foods tend to be less expensive than dinner menu items. Boxed Lunches A top concern with catering for any event is food waste.
Whether it's crispy Rice Krispies or fruity Froot Loops, buying cereal in bulk provides a great option for budget-conscious event planners. It also serves as an easy snack that any partygoer is sure to love.
Plus, being able to pour your favorite cereal right into your party guests' cups is sure to be a hit at any celebration! Spaghetti is a cheap, hearty dish that can easily be served in large quantities, making it an ideal catering option. By using inexpensive ingredients such as ground beef, spices, and canned tomatoes, you can make a delicious spaghetti dinner without breaking the bank.
Furthermore, many brands of spaghetti offer bulk-sized packages specifically designed to feed multiple people — so you don't have to count every strand! So if you're looking for an affordable way to feed all your party-goers this summer, consider spaghetti as your catering choice!
Rice and beans have long been a go-to dish for people looking to create an affordable meal. It is a classic combination that can easily be dressed up with different toppings, such as cheese, salsa, guacamole, or sour cream. The addition of these flavorful accompaniments transforms this traditional budget meal into something that can be served alongside tacos or burritos during a catered event.
A great way to cater on a budget is to include rice and beans as part of the menu; it's sure to be popular among guests no matter what their taste buds desire! Macaroni and cheese is always a hit for catering events, no matter the age group!
Whether it's for a corporate event or a birthday party, the deliciousness of creamy cheese and perfectly cooked noodles have an amazing appeal to everyone. And, bonus: it's inexpensive to prepare and serve as well!
Not only will you meet your budget goals, but you'll also be sure to bring smiles with this communal favorite. With macaroni and cheese on the menu, no event will ever go wrong. Pancakes are an excellent budget-friendly option for catering breakfast or brunch.
Not only are pancakes simple, fast and easy to make - if done in large batches and pre-prepared ahead of time, you can save even more time in the kitchen and money as well. Furthermore, pancakes can also be customized according to your event's theme! For example, why not add sprinkles or cutouts with cookie cutters for a vibrant look that appeals to guests of all ages?
Pancakes are the most economical and creative way to please your party participants. When catering a large event, finding budget-friendly food options that can be efficiently provided to many people at once is key.
Soup is one of the perfect recipes for this purpose: it can be made in large batches relatively easily, and ingredients like stock and vegetables are often inexpensive. Plus, there are so many varieties of soup - from vegan vegetable stews to hearty creamy chowders - and it easily fills up a plate.
For those looking for the cheapest food to cater, add soup to your menu plan for an economical choice without sacrificing quality or taste. There are many cheap and easy options when it comes to catering food for large groups. Cereal, spaghetti, rice and beans, macaroni and cheese, pancakes, and soup are all great choices that will save you money.
Keep these in mind the next time you need to cater an event! Home About Us Private Parties Contact Why us? Events Catering Menu Blog. Catering Button. Private Parties Button.
Always fresh menu Button. Talk to a Chef. Talk To Chef. What is the cheapest food to cater? Moms, Weddings Planners , Brides, Birthday boy, Brithday girl - we all know that catering can be expensive.
Spaghetti is another cheap option that can be easily made in large quantities Spaghetti is a cheap, hearty dish that can easily be served in large quantities, making it an ideal catering option. Rice and beans is a classic cheap meal that can be dressed up with different toppings Rice and beans have long been a go-to dish for people looking to create an affordable meal.
Macaroni and cheese is always a hit with kids and adults alike Macaroni and cheese is always a hit for catering events, no matter the age group! Pancakes are a great breakfast or brunch option that can be made ahead of time Pancakes are an excellent budget-friendly option for catering breakfast or brunch.
Soup is another budget-friendly food that can be made in large batches When catering a large event, finding budget-friendly food options that can be efficiently provided to many people at once is key.
Contact us: - - cateringwithtwochefs gmail. The benefits of catering a buffet near me. If you're searching for a buffet near me, chances are you're looking for a great deal on catering. A buffet can be an excellent catering option for a variety of events, from birthday parties to corporate functions.
Bosses are people too, and they love a good office party just like the rest of us. But when it comes to impressing your boss with your catering skills, you need to step it up a notch.
Have some family members pick up fruit trays, veggie trays, pinwheel sandwich trays, pasta salads, potato salad, etc from Costco. You can order Missing So if you need ideas for affordable catering options, build a menu around budget-friendly cuisines. Mexican, Indian, Thai, and Chinese foods won
