6 Tips for Hosting the Ultimate Summer Backyard BBQ
Kentucky
Summer’s here in the Bluegrass and you can almost smell those sizzling, grilled burgers. You know what that means: it’s (finally!) time to get your friends and family together for that much-anticipated barbecue you’ve been itching to host.
When it comes to such a long-awaited day of feasting, you want to make sure everyone has a good time. You’ve got the guest list down and the bourbon stocked up, but when it comes to planning the menu and details, it can get daunting.
That’s why we’re here with six tips and five epic recipes from Paige at My Modern Cookery to take you from amateur host to expert entertainer so you can feel confident at your ultimate summer get together.
1. It’s all about the beef
Burgers, steaks, and beef dogs are the cornerstone for anytime of the day filled with gusto, so stock up on lots of meat, buns, veggies, and condiments. There’s nothing like the combination of crispy lettuce, fresh tomatoes, tart pickles, and oh-so-juicy beef for lunch.
2. Appetizers, your hangry guests’ best friend
Grilling beef to perfection is an art that takes some time, but when the aroma of a burning grill only accelerates hunger, you need some snacks! Make sure you prepare a selection of appetizers for your guests to munch on while waiting for the main event. Trust us: some hearty apps will do more to stave off hunger and turn your guests back into their normal selves than a Snickers ever could!
3. DIY summer cocktails with a meaty twist
When at a cookout, of course your guests are going to expect some ice cold, summery cocktails. But now that we made you an entertainer extraordinaire, you’re going to throw their expectations for a curveball. Here’s a step-by-step guide to over deliver with some creative sips:
Head to the cocktail table, and wait for your friends to follow suit. Pull out some tequila and lime. Yesss, I love margaritas!, your friends will say. Then pull out some beef stock and add one part tequila, one part stock, and some fresh squeezed lime juice to their cups. Their mouths will water. That’s when you say: I present to you, the Moogarita!
For less adventurous guests, you can tone the beefy cocktail down a bit by keeping Bloody Mary ingredients on hand and garnishing them with beef jerky.
4. Where to host
When the sun’s out, it’s outside or bust. A grill in your yard and a space for entertaining is the perfect place for a private cookout with just your friends and family. If you don’t have a space to host, head to a park with a community grill and space to hang out.
5. Bring music and games
To help pass the time while waiting for the food, make sure to have games. If there’s lawn space, play hacky sack or cornhole, which are always a good time. If you’ve got a table, bring a deck of cards.
After eating and sipping on drinks for a while, turn up the music. It’s outdoor dance party time.
6. Let veggies join the party
While juicy steaks and flavorful burgers are the main event – grilled veggies are a great plus one. Think grilled asparagus, summer squash and mushrooms for the ultimate steak experience. For burgers, make sure you offer the classic fixings like onion, tomatoes and lettuce. For something new, offer guests a spicy homemade guac or fresh, sliced avocados. Yum!