Did you know that 75% of adults in the United States own a grill or smoker?
No wonder that with summer right around the corner people are ready to pull out the grill if they haven’t done so already.
After a long, dark winter and with long summer hours, you know what time it is? It’s time to get the grill out. Keep reading to learn all about setting up the ultimate backyard BBQ this summer.
Setting up a Great Backyard BBQ Experience with Friends
Throwing down the ultimate backyard BBQ can be a ton of fun if you prepare for it ahead of time. Having a great grill is part of creating this experience, and the best part is you can invite friends and family and have them create memories too. Before you fire up that grill, there are some fun BBQ history facts and tips to make sure you throw a BBQ to remember.
History
Let’s throw it back to some quick history about backyard BBQs. Barbecues as we know it, cooking meat over a grill, comes from the Caribbean. An Indian tribe called the Taino used the word barbacoa to describe grilling on a raised wooden grate, which is where the word barbecue came from.
In 1526, the word barbacoa appeared in a Spanish explorer’s account of the West Indies, and ever since then, barbecues became popular as people began to spread the word. It has been part of the American culture since colonial times.
Different events, such as winning the Revolutionary War and building the first bridge over the Missouri River, began being commemorated with barbecues. Different presidents were also fans. Abraham Lincolns parents wedding feast was a barbecue, and George Washington had many barbecue events written in his diary.
Today the barbecue tradition continues, and many families look forward to dad or mom firing up the grill and having friends and family come over to enjoy good food on the grill and great company.
Must Haves
Although having a great grill is key because it’s what the entire barbecue gathering revolves around, there are a few things that you must have to make this unforgettable for everyone.
Cutlery
You have the option of using disposable silverware, plates, and cups, or you can use real cutlery. It’s up to you. They both have their pros and cons. If you opt for disposable, clean up will be much quicker after the barbecue. If you opt for non-disposable, you will be left with quite a bit to either wash by hand or throw in the dishwasher.
If you choose to go with disposable, try to look for plates that won’t get soggy or melt when they have food on them.
Drinks
When it comes to drinks, you have endless possibilities, and don’t forget about the kid’s beverages too. You can have a soda bar, beer bar, margarita bar, or even a wine bar. You can also choose to have a little bit of all.
Summer always feels great with fun cocktails whether they have alcohol or not. To make it fun for the kids, you can create a small bar for them too with Shirley temples or frozen smoothies. Don’t forget to have a water station because, after all, it’s summer and it’s hot. People will want some refreshing water.
With a little bit of imagination, you can make the drink station an event in itself. Some cocktail ideas you might want to add to the menu:
- Wine slushies: choice of any wine, strawberry juice, peach juice, and ice
- Sangria: wine, orange juice, and your choice of cut-up fresh fruits
Totally up to you to choose the drinks that will be best for your guests.
Snacks
Near the drink station, you can set up a snack station away from the grill and kitchen area. You can put chips, fruits, deviled eggs, and anything else that you feel is a great snack for your guests.
Side Dishes
Asking everyone to bring one side dish and add to the fun makes your life a bit easier. Having everyone bring a side dish will save you time and will also give everyone the opportunity to taste each other’s culinary skills. People love contributing, and most will be happy to add something to the side dish table to accompany whatever you cook on the grill.
Music
Nothing says barbecue like some feel-good music while everyone is gathered outside. Get creative with what you play. Maybe even put some dance along songs to get your guests up and moving. There’s no right or wrong tune you can play.
Anything from southern blues to jazz, pop, oldies or classic country will be great as long as you and your guests enjoy it.
No Bug Zone
Don’t forget that with hot summer days come pesky bugs, gnats, mosquitoes, and flies. Consider having bug spray available for your guests to use in case they begin to get bit. You can also invest in zappers, citronella candles, and torches.
If you want to take it a step further, you can take time to put in plants that they hate, such as marigolds and peppermint.
Cool off Station
Since it’s summertime, after all, and temperatures can get high depending on where you live, have an area where guests can cool down. You don’t want your guests passing out from heat exhaustion. You can set up an area where guests can just hose down if they want to be that extreme or have a mist sprayer in an area for guests to go cool down.
You can have an area set up with water guns if anyone wants to have a water gun fight. There’s also slip and slides and small kiddie pools you can add to make sure no one stays hot.
Designated Runner
In case something happens last minute, like running out of cups, ice, chips, beer, or basically anything else, have someone that is designated to run to the store that hasn’t had any adult beverages. Your runner should be someone that doesn’t mind running last minute whether they’re socializing, cooling off, or watching television.
Hopefully you prep enough the night before that you won’t have to send your designated runner on a million trips to the store.
Let There Be Lights
If you’re having a barbecue later on in the day, you might want to think about lighting once the sun goes down. You don’t have to spend a fortune on lights to keep the party going. You can buy a few tiki torches to set the barbecue mood for night time or get string lights and hang them around the backyard.
There are also rope lights or solar inflatable Luci lights if you want to add some color.
Did Someone Say Games?
Although barbecues always make for great conversations and traditional talking, games can add to the fun. There are countless barbecue games you can have. Horseshoes, ring toss, and football are all popular BBQ games for adults and kids.
You can even go as far as having a piñata if you have a lot of kids attending or even just grownups. Who doesn’t love candy?
Prep Time
The morning of or the night before, take time out to prep your food before your guests arrive. It will free up your time once they are there. Also prep the areas for the drinks, snacks, and side dishes.
Set up areas for throwing away the trash to avoid scrambling for trash bags and trash cans last minute. Double check that you have enough charcoal or propane for your grill. It would be terrible for you to run out in the middle of cooking.
Also, make sure you have enough ice in the freezer to keep drinks cold and to serve. While you’re prepping, make a list and check it twice to avoid having to use your designated runner more than necessary. Last but not least, have everything cut up and ready to throw on the grill when the guests begin to arrive.
Dessert Time
What’s better than cooking s’mores over a fire? This is a great way to end the night and enjoy dessert at your barbecue. It’s simple and fun for everyone.
You don’t have to spend hours baking cake and cookies. All you need are some sticks, chocolate bars, graham crackers, and marshmallows, of course.
Enjoy!
Most importantly have fun not only preparing for your backyard BBQ but also on the day. The whole point of inviting guests and showing off your grill skills is to create a memorable experience for everyone. Relax, have fun, and everyone else will too.
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