Want to grill more than burgers and hot dogs, but think you can't afford it? Think again! You can have steak and still stick to your budget!

Eating great and staying frugal
During those years when we wanted to grill something better than burgers, I would thumb through the advertisements to see who had round or chuck steak on sale. You can find it for $1.50 a pound or less during a good sale. No, it's not T-bone, but when you do a little tricky marinating and seasoning it's a great meal. The following recipes will work with any type of steak, but I still can't resist a good sale!

Grilled Marinated Chuck Steak

Ingredients:
1/2 cup sweet onion, sliced very thinly
1/2 cup lemon juice
1/4 cup olive oil or vegetable oil
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon celery salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon dried, crushed rosemary
1 garlic clove - minced
2 1/2 pounds chuck steak, cut 1/2″ thick

Directions:
Combine all ingredients except steak. Marinate the steak for at least 3 hours, turning several times. Grill steak over wood, hot coals or a gas grill on low heat.

Grill for about 30 minutes or until done as desired. Boil the marinade for a couple minutes after removing the raw meat, and use to baste the steak during cooking.

NOTE: You can substitute fresh herbs by mincing and using double what is called for.

Marinated Round Steak

Ingredients:
1/4 cup wine vinegar
2 Tablespoons soy sauce
2 Tablespoons olive oil
2 Tablespoons catsup or tomato sauce
1/2 teaspoon onion salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper
2 pounds round steak, cut into sections

Directions:
Mix all but steak together. Place round steak and marinade in a plastic bag or glass container and let sit in refrigerator for about 3 hours. Turn container several times. Broil 5 to 8 minutes on each side to desired doneness.

Grilled Teriyaki Steak

Ingredients:
2 pounds boneless round steak, 1/2″ thick
1 teaspoon ground pepper
2/3 cup teriyaki sauce
1/3 cup soy sauce
11/2 teaspoons instant meat tenderizer
1/8 teaspoon garlic powder

Directions:
Sprinkle round steak with pepper; pierce at 1 inch intervals with a meat fork. Place in a large shallow container. Combine the remaining ingredients and mix well. Pour over steak. Cover dish and marinate for 8 to 10 hours or overnight in refrigerator. Grill over hot coals 3 to 5 minutes on each side or until done as desired. Makes 6 servings.

Oriental-Style Meat Marinade

Ingredients:
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup wine vinegar
1/2 cup pineapple juice
2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1 cup soy sauce

Directions:
Mix all ingredients and bring to a boil. Cool. Use to marinate meat for minimum of 4 hours or overnight for cheap cuts of steak that may need more tenderizing.

Italian-Style Marinade

Ingredients:
1/3 cup olive oil
1 1/2 cups red wine
1 teaspoon basil
1 teaspoon thyme
1 Tablespoon black pepper
1 small onion, sliced thinly
3 cloves garlic, minced

Directions:
Combine and use to marinate steak for 4 hours to overnight.

About the author: Brenda Hyde is a freelance writer, wife and mom to three kids living in the Midwest United States. For more family friendly recipes and cooking tips visit Brenda at http://oldfashionedliving.com/recipes.html.