BBQ parties are the ultimate definition of summertime enjoyment. Good friends, yummy foods, and endless laughter. Imagine lounging near your pool with the mouthwatering aroma of freshly seared meat. Ah, divine! We know you can’t wait to invite your friends and have a blast. But hosting a party isn’t an easy task. You have to consider a lot of things. How will you seat everybody? How many drinks should you prepare? What games will you all play? Most important of all, what’s going to be on the menu?
We have curated a menu to help you host a party that your friends will remember for all the summers to come. Ready to get started? Let’s dive in.
Pick a Meat
BBQ parties without meat? Like that’s even a possibility. So, what’s your meat going to be? Duck? Chicken? Beef?
Now, you can pick whatever you like or think of your friends’ tastes. If people in the group have different preferences, keep two or more types of meat on the menu. For instance, you could do drumsticks, beef chops, and fish fillets.
The secret to throwing a memorable BBQ party lies in your grill. Your food’s charred texture and smoky flavor depend on how well your grill heats us. If you have the 32” Delta Heat Freestanding Gas Grill, you have nothing to worry about. It heats up like a dream, there’s no ash cleanup later, and you can easily control the temperature.
Prep Food Before Your Guests Arrive
Who would like to spend all their time in the kitchen, marinating the meat when the rest of the squad is having a blast outdoors? Yep, we thought so – no one!
If you want to dodge that fate, we recommend preparing in advance. Smother your meat with the sauces and spices a night (or two in advance). Cover your prepared meat with plastic wrap and keep it in the fridge. It won’t go bad. The flavors will infuse a hundred times better.
If you have a salad on the menu, chop and slice your vegetables in advance too. You can slide them into an airtight container and pop them in the fridge. If you’re doing chicken skewers, skew them before everyone arrives.
Hosting isn’t tedious if you do it right.
Keep Your Bar Stocked
Drinks are an absolute must. Whether you’re serving beer, fresh juice, cocktails, or soda, you must never run out of them! So, head to the store and grab whatever you need a day in advance. Chill everything and keep it ready for your friends.
You can fancy things up a bit by preparing some cute flowery or fruity ice cubes. It’s simple. Place flower petals or fruit slices in your ice cube trays, fill them and freeze them. They’ll add a touch of whimsical to your meaty party.
As for the cocktails, peach sangria, lemonade shandy, and watermelon champaign cooler are all good and fresh picks. If you want to keep it simple, pop open a bottle of aged bourbon. Everyone will be delighted.
Let’s move on to some delicious items to add to your menu.
Star Dishes for Your BBQ Menu
The good thing about BBQing is that it can help you travel the world of flavors without stepping out of your garden. Travel through the flavors by your grill.
Southern barbecued chicken skewers, Mexican hot beef tacos, Moroccan lamb kebabs – delish! Of course, the flavors you choose depend on your tastebuds. But there are a few items you can’t miss out on. Here are a few:
Cold Salads
Salads add a refreshing touch to the BBQ party. They help balance out the heat of the smoked meat and spices. Always have a good supply of salads like macaroni, slaw, quinoa, cucumber, potato, and tomato. Fruity in-season salads like strawberry and peach also work well.
Grilled Veggies
Grilled vegetables are a great way to serve something healthy without compromising taste. Grill onions, mushrooms, bell peppers, zucchini, eggplant – anything your heart desires! Add some herbs or garlic for flavor, and you’re good to go.
Sauces
Please tell us you didn’t forget the sauces! Sauces are critical in bringing BBQ flavors to life. You can go for classic barbecue, honey mustard, spicy ranch, or make something of your own. How about a pineapple teriyaki sauce? Yum!
You can also provide some mayo-based sauces for the burgers and sandwiches.
Sides
Sides are the crowd-pleasing fillers that make your BBQ complete. Classics like mashed potatoes, baked beans, and French fries pair well with almost all BBQ items. You can add a few other sides like mac ‘n cheese, roasted corn, and onion rings. Add some tater tot nachos if you want to take your sides game a notch higher.
Non-Meaty Foods
There will always be friends at the party who aren’t big meat eaters. Don’t forget them! Have a few non-meaty snacks ready for when they come around. Try grilled falafel, portobello mushrooms, grilled corn on the cob, or a veggie tray with dip. Stuffed bell peppers and veggie burgers are great too.
Seafood Options
Delicious seafood dishes bring quality and diversity to any BBQ gathering. Grilled prawns and pineapple skewers, salmon on a fine wood plank with parsley and lemon, or whole fish with Mediterranean herbs will amaze your guests. These dishes show your grilling abilities while adding a touch of coastal charm. So, are you ready to wow them all?
Sweet Treats
Finish your diverse cuisine with delightful desserts that will please everyone’s sweet craving. Some possibilities that mix the grill’s warmth with tempting sweetness include s’mores, grilled fruit skewers with chocolate dip, and campfire scones. Apple pies with caramel sauce or banana-berry crumble are great too. If you don’t want to make them from scratch, you can buy ready-made pies or pastries. And voilà – your BBQ party is fully complete!
Final Thoughts
You can throw a successful BBQ party without burning out your energy or pocket. With a few smart ideas and an eye for detail, you can create a delicious menu that will satisfy everyone’s taste buds. Pick what you like from our suggestions, and let the feast begin. Don’t forget to have fun throughout! Oh, and don’t forget the drinks like craft beers, sangria, and other cold drinks to keep your guests refreshed. We hope you enjoy the conversations, smiles, and mouthwatering flavors.
