Mmm…the smoke and smell of hot dogs and hamburgers being grilled over hot charcoal is a summertime staple. Our stomachs immediately rumble when we catch a whiff of smoky meats and burning charcoal.
In the decades after World War II, backyard barbecues became a thing. At first, these cookouts were simple outdoor affairs with charcoal briquettes, hot dogs, hamburgers, and simple BBQ sides. Today, throwing a backyard BBQ has become a more elaborate display of tradition.
Whether you are heading to the local park for a cookout, firing up the grill for a backyard BBQ dinner, or prepping for the most epic block party barbecue feast ever, here’s how to host a handle-free BBQ.
Image Credit: Vienna Beef Hot Dogs.
What is the best time to host a BBQ?
The best time to host a BBQ is anytime, really. BBQs are more popular in the warmer months, particularly summertime, when children are out of school and adults may have more vacation time.
While it may feel like it’s too hot outside to have a cookout, BBQ lovers tend to cool off with a dip in the pool, by drinking refreshing beverages, and by playing games like Tag while running through the sprinklers or having a water balloon fight. These backyard bashes are usually held in the daytime or early evening when temperatures are less hot and humid.
Image Credit: Walter’s Hot Dog Kit.
How do you host a simple BBQ?
To host a simple BBQ, start small, especially if this is your first time hosting a BBQ. Choose 2-3 meats and 2-3 sides plus beverages. You could ask each guest to bring a side, dessert, or drink to reduce the amount of items you have to buy and prepare.
Consider ordering already marinated meats, hot dog kits, grill kits, and ready-to-eat sides like bagged and pre-made salads and potato chips, and prepared drinks like beer, soft drinks, juices, and water. Easy desserts include sliced fruits, Jell-O, and s’mores.
If you’re new to grilling, reduce stress and anxiety by asking a family member or friend to be the grillmaster and let them guide you through the grilling process. When it comes to cleanup, consider disposable plates, cups, and utensils so no one is stuck doing the dishes.
If you’re on a budget or don’t want to stress about entertainment, challenge your guests to classic schoolyard games that don’t require equipment like Hide-and-Seek, Red Rover, and Red light, Green light, or ask your friends to bring over their favorite games. Designate a friend to make the music playlist.
Image Credit: Walter’s Hot Dog Gift Pack.
What do you need when hosting a BBQ?
What you need for hosting a BBQ will depend on where you are hosting, how many people are coming, and how simple or complex you want it to be. While the definition of a BBQ varies by location and family, our greatest BBQ memories have revolved around simple grilled meats, watermelon slices, and plenty of classic lawn games.
Make your next BBQ a breeze by planning ahead and asking for help. Create a fun menu of snacks, meats and sides, and dessert. Don’t forget to have a back-up plan if the weather doesn’t cooperate. To make sure your BBQ is a blast and not a bust, make sure you have these BBQ essentials.
Image Credit: Junior’s Game Day Grilling Kit.
Grilling Essentials
First, you need an outdoor space for grillin’ and chillin’. It must be a clean space, whether it’s your lawn, pool deck, or backyard. Then, you’ll need to acquire the following grilling essentials:
- Grill (charcoal, gas or propane powered) or a firepit or a smoker
- Charcoal, gas, or wood for your grill
- Lighter to start the fire for charcoal- and wood-powered grills, firepits, and smokers. If you are using charcoal, you may want to use a little lighter fluid to get the charcoal to easily light
- Metal, long-handled cooking utensils, including a grill fork, tongs, and a spatula. Some grillers like to use grill gloves too. If you plan to make kebabs or s’mores, get BBQ skewers too.
- Stainless steel grill brush for cleaning the grill before and after grilling
- Cutting boards
- Basting brush
- Foil roasting pans
Image Credit: rez-art / istockphoto.
Eating Essentials
It’s important to have the proper dishes and cutlery for your crowd. Make sure you have:
- Picnic table for presenting food and for dining
- Plates and Bowls. If opting for disposable plates and bowls, be sure to choose sturdy ones as BBQ foods tend to be heavy.
- Forks, knives, and spoons
- Cups
- Napkins plus something to weigh them down if it’s windy
- Serving bowls and platters (foil pans work well too)
- Tongs & serving spoons
- Trash bags and trash cans for recycling, regular trash, and food scraps for composting
Some optional barbecue eating essentials include:
- Aluminum foil for covering dishes
- Decorations like string lights
- Food storage containers for packing up leftovers
- Paper towels
- Straws
- Table Cloth
Image Credit: DisobeyArt/Istockphoto.
Drink Essentials
It’s important to stay hydrated, especially when grilling outdoors for hours. Even if it’s a cloudy or a cooler day, make sure to have a variety of non-alcoholic beverages available. In addition to plenty of water, here are some other drinks you might stock up on:
- Beer
- Fruit or veggie infused water
- Fruit juice
- Iced tea
- Lemonade
- Soda
- Sports drinks
- Wine
- Arnold Palmer: iced tea & lemonade
- Cocktails like a shandy (beer & lemonade), bourbon lemonade, ginger beer, Pimms & lemonade, and sangria
- Fruit punch
Don’t forget drink essentials like:
- Bottle opener
- Cocktail, lemonade, and punch garnishes (optional)
- Cups
- Cooler or tub
- Ice
- Wine bottle opener
Image Credit: torwai/Istockphoto.
BBQ Food
When planning your BBQ, make sure to check with your guests in advance about any dietary restrictions. On the day of the BBQ, don’t put all the food out at once, so guests who arrive late can enjoy fresh food.
Here’s are your BBQ food essentials:
- Meat, fish, and poultry: popular BBQ proteins include beef, brisket, chicken, fish, hot dogs, ribs, and sausages
- Vegetarian and vegan options: seitan, tofu, Impossible meat, jackfruit, and veggie burgers
- Veggies: corn on the cob, mushrooms, onions, and peppers
- Fruits
- Dry rubs, spices & seasonings, sauces, and marinades. If marinating meat, be sure to marinate the day before or hours before your cookout.
- Condiments: ketchup, mustard, mayonnaise, aioli, relish, barbecue sauce, butter, and salad dressings
- Hot dog buns and hamburger buns
- Toppings: cheese, chili, bacon, lettuce, onions, tomatoes, bell peppers, pickles, and sauerkraut
- Snacks and appetizers: crudités and tortilla chips and salsa
- BBQ sides: cold sides (ambrosia salad, cole slaw, cucumber salad, macaroni salad, potato salad, and leafy green salads) and hot sides (corn on the cob, Mac ‘n’ cheese, baked beans, and collard greens).
- Desserts: apple pie or cherry pie, ice cream, popsicles, and watermelon. If you’re opting for frozen treats, be sure to have a cooler with a lid to lock in the cold and keep these icy treats from melting.
Image Credit: LindasPhotography/istockphoto.
Food Portions
- Snacks & appetizers: 2 to 3 portions per person
- Protein: 5 oz. to 10 oz. While 3 oz. to 4 oz. is the recommended portion, most folks indulge and eat two or more meats or two or more protein servings at a cookout.
- Sides: 2 servings per person
- Dessert: 1 serving per person
Image Credit: SeventyFour/istockphoto.
Set-Up & Safety
Summer is the peak season for grill fires. Don’t let a fire or accident ruin your BBQ. Take the time to think through your BBQ set-up and stock up on safety supplies, including:
- Appliance thermometer to make sure perishable foods don’t enter the danger zone (40°F to 140°F).
- Bug spray, insect repellent, and citronella candles to keep bugs away.
- Dry powder fire extinguisher, a bucket of sand, and a bucket of water in case of a grill fire.
- First aid kit that includes band-aids and burn cream.
- Food thermometer: to ensure food is cooked to the correct internal temperature:
- Whole cuts of meat: 145°F with a three-minute rest time
- Ground meats: 160°F
- Poultry: 165°F
- Fish: 145°F
- Ice bags or gel packs: to keep food and drinks the correct temperature. Ice is also handy as a first aid supply for bumps and bruises. Do not put ice on a burn.
- Lanterns or string lights for night-time barbecues
- Lawn chairs
- Lawn games
- Misters and portable hand-held fans, so guests can keep cool
- Sunscreen
This article originally appeared on Goldbelly.com and was syndicated by MediaFeed.org.
Image Credit: tonefotografia/Istockphoto.
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