Relish the last few weeks of summer by hosting an al fresco party in your backyard! Here are some simple BBQ essentials to make it easier, from burgers and booze to appies and atmosphere.
Sometimes, there’s nothing better than eating outdoors, especially during the golden days and warm nights of summer. Why not celebrate the season with family and friends by hosting a backyard BBQ? We put together our favourite simple ways to elevate your outdoor cookout while keeping it organized, stress-free, and enjoyable for you and your guests. Let’s fire up the grill and say ‘cheers’ with icy cocktails!
Easy, tasty appetizers
While your grill is clearly the main attraction, make sure your guests have a few delicious appetizers to nosh on while they wait. Remember to keep it simple, though, and pick some delicious dips and spreads, so people can pick and choose. How about tzatziki, hummus, salsa, and tapenades? Serve them with a fresh and tasty array of crispy crackers, breads, and naan. Perfect.
Homemade burgers are key
It’s our opinion that no BBQ is really complete without some variation of a burger (even if they’re vegetarian). Just make sure they’re fresh, homemade, and include some special variations. We can’t get enough of quinoa veggie burgers, turkey burgers, spicy burgers, and more. Check out some of the amazing gourmet burger recipe options from Bon Appetit!
Cold cocktails for backyard BBQ
Super cool cocktails (and mocktails)
There are so many perfect drink options for a summer BBQ but here are a few unique ideas:
- Salted Watermelon Margaritas
- Mint and Ginger Lemonade
- Sangria
- Sparkling Grapefruit Cocktails
Keep those cool drinks flowing and your thirsty guests happy.
Icy popsicles are perfect for a summer BBQ
Icy-cool desserts
After all the burgers are gone and the appies demolished, your guests will love a little cooling treat. Here are our ideas for some unique and delish desserts:
- Caramelized Banana Nice Cream
- Nectarines and Peaches with Lavender Syrup
- Simple Berries and Cream
- Fruit Pops
It’s all in the details…
Finally, let’s help you plan out a stylin’ buffet table! One fun tip is to set up your food and condiments on an array of stylish, eye-catching trays. Trays make it easy to carry everything to the table, plus they’ll add pops of colour, pattern, and visual interest to your backyard BBQ spread. Find a selection of them at places like thrift stores (vintage!), or modern options at places like H&M Home. Check out these oval wooden trays, floral patterned options like this, and many more. Make sure you also use a pretty tablecloth to add colour and make clean-up easier. Next, napkins and cutlery should be organized and nicely displayed—you can even stand them up in cups for easy grabbing. Stir up a few jugs of pre-made cool drinks, and maybe serve them in mason jars. And lastly, don’t forget the paper (not plastic!) straws.
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