Cooking Tips for Throwing Beautiful Barbecue

It is summer and time to fire up the grill for a backyard barbecue. There is nothing better than gathering with family and friends on a warm summer evening to enjoy a great meal and some drinks. A beautiful barbecue can be such fun with the right planning and preparation so you aren’t stuck manning the grill the entire time. Here are some cooking tips for throwing a great barbecue.

Plan Your Menu in Advance

You will want to write down a guest list with notes about what everyone does or does not eat. In this day and age of special diets and health concerns, you are likely to have those who are paleo, keto, gluten-free, vegetarian, and even vegan. If you don’t know what dietary restrictions need to be addressed, just send off an email asking if there are any basic requirements. You definitely don’t want your guests to feel left out.

Now, figure out exactly what dishes you want to make ahead and what you will grill while everyone is there. Next, make a shopping list that is organized around the flow of the market, such as produce, meats and fish, pantry goods, and dairy. Or, simply order online and have everything delivered to save a step.

Prepare Dishes Ahead

A successful barbecue almost always includes convenience foods and dishes that can be assembled ahead of time so you are able to enjoy your company. When shopping, stock up on essentials like chips and dips for snacking, buns for sandwiches, condiments like ketchup and mustard, a variety of beverages, and ice. Don’t forget to have enough fuel on hand to keep the grill going—whether it’s charcoal or propane. For instance, if you rely on a propane grill, make sure to check with your propane supplier in advance to ensure your tank is filled or topped off. This way, you won’t risk running out mid-grill, and it’s one less worry on party day. Learn more here on how exactly to stay prepared in terms of fuel supply. Additionally, essentials like plates, napkins, and utensils are also a must.

The day before the party, make some salads like potato salad, corn relish, or wild rice with orange vinaigrette and toasted pecans. Put together some casseroles that can be quickly reheated: vegetarian baked beans or macaroni and cheese. Precook proteins and vegetables that can be kissed with fire on the grill right before serving: sweet sticky oven ribs, baked teriyaki glazed chicken wings, boiled lobster, or steamed corn on the cob. Cut up veggies for crudites or to skewer and grill: platter of radishes, carrot sticks, sugar snap peas, celery sticks, and cured olives; skewers of cherry tomatoes, button mushrooms, zucchini cubes, and pearl onions.

Make a giant fruit bowl with melon balls or cubes, pineapple chunks, and grapes. Make desserts: chocolate chip cookies, apple pie, or popsicles.

Fire Up the Grill

Now that you have everything ready to go, turn on your oven to reheat casseroles. Put out the snacks, veggie platter, and a bucket of drinks on ice. Fire up your grill and get some char marks on those pre-cooked proteins. Lobsters can be split in half, brushed with butter, and grilled flesh side down. Skewers of vegetables are super easy to grill. Just dress them with a little olive oil, salt, and pepper. Have some tortillas and salsa for veggie tacos. Grill up some hot dogs and hamburgers that the kids can eat on kaiser buns. It’s best to buy fresh buns during the summer since older buns are more likely to get moldy or stale from the summer heat. Look for quality buns that will not fall apart when guests put together their burgers.

Now that everything is ready, it is time to enjoy the party. With proper planning and some cooking ahead, a barbecue can be a beautiful and stress-free event. What will make the table perfect is the variety of foods with colors all across the rainbow that will be both tasty and healthy for all types of eaters.

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