Summer breezes are flowing, the mercury is going through the roof, and everybody is gathering around the pool to relax. It’s also the start of summer vacations, which is the perfect time for a backyard BBQ party.
BBQ parties are intimate parties attended by close family, friends, and neighbors. It’s a social event to bring the community closer. Sometimes, these parties are held for special occasions like birthdays, anniversaries, or a national occasion. Sometimes just to celebrate the family coming together during the holidays.
BBQ parties are a giant celebration of life. The settings and the food need to be as such. With proper planning and elements, BBQ parties could truly embody the spirit it brings. This article explores some ideas for arranging the BBQ parties and some all-time favorite food suggestions.
The Dishes
The main attraction of a backyard BBQ party is of course the food. And the central to the idea of food in a BBQ party is the grill and the grilled items, accompanied by drinks and side dishes.
Nothing speaks summer like colorful cocktails. The blackberry mojito is a famous cocktail. It is easy to make and takes about 5 minutes.
The next on our list is of course the rainbow sangria. This colorful drink is composed of mangoes, berries, kiwis, and pineapple. This delicious and refreshing drink is a favorite for summer parties.
Since we are talking about cocktails, we must talk about slushies. And nothing is more eye-catching than the strawberry lemonade vodka slushies. If you go a step further and serve them on lemons, it’d be a proper gourmet drink to surprise the guests.
Of course the fancy drinks aside, we need to look out for mass consumption. For this purpose, you will need a Moscow mule punch. This is easy to make and refreshing too. If you are hosting a lot of people, this is the cocktail you want to serve.
Next, we go to the main dishes. Needless to say, the main dishes are meat items from the grill. Roast the items carefully on the grills. Remember, slower is better, which is why you should opt for charcoal grills if you can. Find the best propane grill currently on the market. Ultimate Grill Mate reviews them every year.
The first main dish is of course the pool party favorite: hot dogs. Carefully fry the sausages on the grill and warm the buns in there too, after brushing them with oil or butter. Keep enough mustard, ketchup, and barbecue sauce stocked for your friends and family to enjoy this dish.
Another main attraction is of course the cheeseburger. You can custom make the patties with ground beef. If you lack the expertise, you can buy frozen patties, which will do the same trick. Get the buns with sesame seeds on them, and put them on the grill for a little bit after brushing them with oil. Add cheese to the patties until it is melted and finally slide them inside the buns with whatever additional sides and sauces your guests like.
Some not so popular but innovative main dishes could be tacos and Caprese. Tacos are a Mexican meat dish with fried ground meat mixed with spices wrapped in a tortilla. Grilled chicken Caprese can be another twist on this front. Start with a chicken base and fill it with mozzarella cheese, tomato, avocado, and balsamic — the perfect dish for a summer party.
Besides these, you can make non-covered meat items, such as chicken drumsticks, wings, fish, and even steak if you are up for it. These are very popular BBQ options. Serve them with enough sauce and melted cheese.
For sides, we recommend salads and other green dishes such as grilled asparagus. Asparagus is a summer herb that you can throw on the grill, fry a bit, and present with a minimal amount of spices. It’s a healthy, fresh side dish to liven up your summer BBQ.
Greek pasta salad is another side dish you can prepare. Cucumbers, tomatoes, onions, and olives, mixed with pasta, is a perfect veg option for your BBQ party.
Another refreshing side dish could be watermelon. Cubed melons mixed with mint, cucumber, and feta cheese could be the comfort food everyone seeks in summer.
Last but not least, we explore some dessert, and the first desert item on our list is the blackberry cobbler. After baking the cobbler in a frying pan add some vanilla ice-cream on top, and voila! You have the ultimate summer treat!
A standout dessert for your BBQ party could be a banana split kebab. Put some bananas on a toothpick, and sprinkle them with some chocolate syrup and some nuts. Do not forget to add some strawberries on the skewer to brighten the dish.
Looking for some healthy items on the dessert menu? Look no further than keto popsicles. These are made from avocado, coconut milk, and keto-friendly chocolates. This could be a healthy touch to your BBQ party.
Finally, a pure dessert item filled with ice cream, cookies, and sugary sauces, we present you mud pies in a jar. This is a jar filled with vanilla and coffee ice creams, crushed Oreos, caramel sauce, and hot fudge sauce. This is the ultimate dessert item on our list. Try it if you aren’t scared!
Decoration
As we said before, summer BBQ parties are a social event, so the proper decoration can set the mood for this occasion.
Layer your linen and tablecloths. Covering a typically checked tablecloth with flower ridden ones gives the table a certain aesthetic.
If you have a pool, then pull out the pool floats, especially if children will be there. Adults might indulge floating on a plastic bed and bathing in the sun with a drink in one hand — the ultimate summer dream.
For drinks, bring out your bar cart in the backyard. For the drinks best served cold, such as beers, you can set them up on a wheelbarrow with enough ice around them.
After a playful day, you might want to share a drink with your loved ones in a peaceful environment. So, for the evening times, decorate your backyard with string lights, giving it that light ambiance of relaxation.
Be it a family tradition, a special occasion, or just a way to relax, BBQ parties are a great way of coming together. To make this occasion more cheerful, prepare for it the right way.