If you love grilling, but your budget is a little tight this year, you may be wondering if you can have steak on the grill this year. The answer is definitely yes. You just need to know your meat. There are all kinds of beef cuts that can be grilled up nicely without breaking the budget. They will take a little more care in preparation than a Porterhouse, but they can be entirely worthwhile. So if steak is a priority, but it does not seem too affordable, do not give up hope.

There are bargains in your meat case, and good steak can be had for five to seven dollars a pound. Hanger and flatiron steaks, tri tip, skirt, flap and flank steaks, and chuck, top sirloin and other types of meat are all inexpensive and delicious, provided you know what to do with them.

There are a few reasons you will pay less for these steaks. It takes some effort to turn them into a really taste meal, but it can be done relatively easily by most people. If you know what you are doing, even an inexpensive steak can taste fantastic.

These steaks are a lot tougher because they come from the muscles that are used on a day-to-day basis. That makes them a lot less tender, but also a lot more flavorful. These steaks are low in gristle and high in flavor. Choose an intense marinade, salt the steak with care, and cook with a close eye on the timing to create a bargain cut that does not taste like it was cheap.

You will also want to take a look at marinades. These liquid mixtures are able to tenderize and add a lot of flavor when you use them right, but they may do the opposite if used in correctly. Most marinades just soak in a little, and really acidic ones actually tighten the meat up, making it tougher, not less tough. That does not mean you need to skip the marinade, of course. Choosing the best steak marinade and using it correctly are important parts of the cooking process.

Even if the effect you get is only skin-deep, your marinade is going to produce an attractive looking, richly colored steak that has a crisp, great tasting crust. Cook budget steaks on a really hot grill for best effect, and make sure they are not cold in the middle when you start cooking. That allows for a more even cooking method.

This means making two zones - one is hotter and allows you to sear the meat, and the other is medium in heat and will cook meat through without burning. On gas grills, just adjust the knobs. For charcoal, bank two thirds of your coals and scatter the rest.

Make sure the grill is clean and you are capable of being patient. You need to cook these cuts of meat undisturbed for two to three minutes if you want them to taste their best. An instant read thermometer will help you know when your meat is ready. Rest the meat when you are finished, to let it keep its juices.