Summertime means barbecues! Get your friends and family together for a fun-filled day of grilling, eating, and enjoying the outdoors. Summertime is the perfect time to fire up the grill and host a backyard barbecue! Whether you’re cooking for your immediate family or extended relatives, follow these tips to ensure that your summer barbecue is a hit.
1. Pick Your Menu Items Carefully
While it’s tempting to try out that new recipe for grilled chicken with mango salsa, it’s important to remember that not everyone is adventurous when it comes to food. Stick to tried-and-true favorites that will please everyone’s palate. If you want to experiment with something new, test it out ahead of time so you know it will be good!
You can’t have a barbecue without burgers and hot dogs! If you’re looking for something slightly healthier, consider turkey or veggie burgers. As for hot dogs, try topping them with grilled onions and peppers or your favorite chili recipe.
2. Make Sure Your Grill is Working Properly
Your grill is the centerpiece of your barbecue, so you’ll want to ensure it’s in good working order before firing it up. Check the gas tank to ensure that there’s enough fuel, clean the grates, and brush the burner tubes clean. If you have a charcoal grill, make sure to soak the briquettes in water for 30 minutes before grilling. This will help prevent them from burning too quickly.
Also, check your grill parts to be sure everything is in good condition; get new lynx grill parts if necessary. No one wants to be stuck with a broken grill while cooking. So, fix it or replace it before your barbecue!
3. Get Organized and Start Prepping Early
Nothing ruins a barbecue like being stuck in the kitchen while everyone else is outside enjoying the summer weather. Get a jump start on things by doing as much prep work as possible in advance. On the day of the barbecue, focus on getting the food on the table so you can relax and enjoy yourself and your guests.
You can prep burgers ahead of time by forming the patties and storing them in the fridge. Cut up vegetables and fruit for salads and sides, and marinate chicken or steak in a ziplock bag. The more you can do ahead of time, the less work you’ll have to do on the day of your barbecue.
4. Keep Things Cool
No one wants to eat a hot dog that’s been sitting out in the sun for hours. Make sure to have plenty of ice on hand to keep beverages cold and food fresh. Along those lines, it’s also important to have enough refrigerated space to store leftovers properly. The last thing you want is for someone to get food poisoning because you didn’t have enough room in the fridge.
You can keep things organized by making a cooler station. Put out a few coolers with different types of beverages, and label them accordingly (i.e., water, soda, beer, etc.). This will help guests easily find what they’re looking for and avoid rummaging through the fridge.
5. Don’t Forget the Entertainment!
No barbecue is complete without some fun games or activities to keep everyone entertained. Whether it’s Cornhole, KanJam, or just good old-fashioned water balloon tosses, make sure you have some games set up so people can have fun and stay cool at the same time.
And if there are kids at your barbecue, don’t forget about them! Set up a kiddie pool or sprinkler, so they can enjoy themselves while the adults relax in the shade. You can also make a DIY limbo or freeze pops ahead of time to keep them happy (and cool).
6. Plan for Bad Weather
Even if you’re crossing your fingers for sunny skies, it’s always a good idea to have a backup plan in case of bad weather. If you don’t have a covered patio or deck, consider renting a party tent to provide some shelter from the elements. You can also move the party indoors if necessary.
It’s also a good idea to have some extra propane on hand in case you need to grill indoors. And if you’re using a charcoal grill, make sure to keep the briquettes dry, so they’re still usable if it rains. No one wants to eat soggy hot dogs!
Following these tips, you can host a summer barbecue that will be enjoyable for you and your guests! Just remember to be prepared, keep things cool, and have fun. So, fire up the grill and enjoy the summer weather!
