When the weather gets warmer and summer is in full swing, it’s time to fire up those grills. You don’t want to miss out on the fun of summer grilling season. After all, who doesn’t love a good burger fresh off the grill?
Make the most of your summer by throwing a backyard BBQ bash. You can grill up all the favorites, invite friends and family, and have a really fun time together. Ready to start planning your cookout party? Check out our tips for how to make it better than ever!
Summer Party Preparation
You don’t have to overthink it, though. A theme is key. You might consider finger foods, Hawaiian home cooking, or Cajun cuisine, to name just a few. This will keep the food cohesive and you can even invite friends and family to dress for the occasion.
Coordinate with Friends and Family
When you’re hosting the summer BBQ, there’s a lot on your plate. It’s on you to make sure the event goes on without a hitch. Still, friends and family can certainly provide helping hands.
Invite input from your guests. Work together to pick a date and time before adding “summer cookout” to your calendar. Ask about dietary restrictions and favorite cookout foods before deciding on a menu.
Guests can also help in bringing the BBQ to life. Request that everyone bring a side, drink, or dessert. You may be too busy at the grill to give attention to these equally important parts of the meal. Together, you can make the best barbecue bash happen in your own backyard.
Prepare the Backyard
Before anyone shows up to eat, have the backyard ready to go.
Make sure your outdoor space has everything you’ll need for the best summer cookout experience. A grill, whether gas, charcoal,
or wooden pellet, is essential. You’ll also need enough table space for all the yummy food you’ll have grilled and a place for each person to sit and eat.
The grilling may be the main event, but there are other ways
to enjoy the outdoors that can take your party to the next level.
Get some games out and set up in the yard before the company arrives.
Don’t forget to prep the yard with protection against harsh sunlight and annoying insects. Tiki torches or citronella candles can help keep mosquitoes away. And you can add some shade to your backyard bash with umbrellas.
Best Summer Foods to Grill
When deciding on what foods to cook at your backyard BBQ, it doesn’t hurt to consider the cookout classics. Go full out with a barbecue feast including everything from chicken breasts and steak to salmon and shrimp. Or, keep things simple with enough hot dogs and hamburgers to feed everyone.
Keep the personal preferences of those attending the cookout in mind. If you’ve never really liked brisket, don’t feel pressured to make it just because it may be expected. If there will be many vegetarians in attendance, you might try your hand at an impossible burger or look into some other meat-free options.
Whatever you decide on, remember to think beyond the grill and keep your theme in mind. It’s not a taco without a tortilla and toppings and hot dogs taste better with ketchup and mustard. Stock up on all the extras, from buns to condiments, and compliment the grilled food with sides, drinks, and desserts. Some refreshing summertime favorites include lemonade and iced tea, fresh fruit on a summer charcuterie board, and flavorful popsicles.
Tips For Good Summer Grilling
Take meats out of the fridge and dry rub or let them soak in a marinade before they go out to the grill. While getting this ready, it’s also a perfect time to chop up vegetables and prepare any other items you’ll need for the final meal.
When grilling over an open flame, you need to be careful. Frare ups are frequent and, of course, fire is formidable. You don’t want your cookout to send you for take-out! Prevention is key, so have a fire extinguisher and water spray bottle handy while you’re grilling.
Cookout Entertainment Ideas
The food is undoubtedly the main event of a cookout, but there are more possibilities for enjoying summer grilling season. Keep everyone smiling while the food’s on the grill and don’t stop the party just because you’ve finished eating. Get more out of your BBQ bash with music, games, and pool time.
Enjoy the Best Backyard Bash of the Summer!
Ready to make the most of summer grilling season? When food, friends, and fun come together in your backyard this summer, you’ll have
a BBQ bash that can’t be beat.
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