The Perfect Backyard BBQ
When inviting others over for a barbecue, make sure you have a lot of variety. While you don’t want to deprive them of their all-time favorites, why not put a fun spin on the usual BBQ fare? Tropical burgers, kabobs and creative twists on chicken and steak will make your backyard barbecue the talk of the neighborhood.
Before you fire up the grill, take a moment to organize your party ideas, so you can enjoy the barbecue along with your guests instead of running interference due to poor planning.
Plan your menu
Once you have your invite list and RSVPs, think about how much food you’ll need. It’s a good idea to have a few different main course options, including a non-meat option. Here are some ideas to help you plan your next backyard party.
Tropical Burgers
Turn up the flavor meter on regular burgers with LAWRY’S® Hawaiian Marinade . Simply marinate your beef patties, toss on the grill and top with a grilled pineapple ring. A tropical delight in minutes.
Kabobs
Kabobs are easy to eat and allow you to customize to specific tastes. While some guests enjoy Beef & Shiitake Kabobs , those who don’t eat meat can have grilled vegetable kabobs.
Steak
There’s nothing like a juicy steak at a barbecue. For a real treat, try our LAWRY’S Chop House Steak . Slice meat between 1-1/4 to 2 -1/4 inches thick—any thinner, and the meat won’t grill well. For safety reasons, be sure to cook steaks until the inside reads 170° F on a meat thermometer.
Chicken
Surprise your guests with festive Buffalo Chicken Tacos or Baja Chipotle Drumettes . Place your chicken in a resealable plastic bag with LAWRY’S® Baja Chipotle Marinade and refrigerate for 30 minutes. Toss them on the grill and you’ll have a new crowd pleaser.
Or, make chicken “burgers”. After grilling chicken patties, top with barbecue sauce and place between sourdough buns for an easy-to-eat dish. For a little extra kick, sprinkle the chicken patties with LAWRY’S® Seasoned Salt before placing on the grill.
Beverages
Lots of cold beverages are the key to a successful barbecue. Make sure you have enough or your party will be over before dinner is served. Keep self-contained beverages in coolers with ice, and drinks like lemonade and iced tea available in pitchers.
Our favorites:
- Iced Tea
- Lemonade
- Sangria
- Margaritas
And don’t forget to have plenty of ice water and juice for the kids!
Snacks for cooking time
While the meat is cooking, give your guests some snacks to tide them over. 8-Layer Fiesta Dip is always a hit and is easy to make—not to mention fun to eat!
Coleslaw makes a great side dish or appetizer. Whether you make the slaw from scratch or buy it from the deli, serve it up on bite size sturdy lettuce or cabbage leaves. All your guests have to do is scoop it up and chow down.
Side dishes
Vegetables just taste better on the grill. Grill up some peppers to offer as appetizers along with a vegetable dip or hummus, use on kabobs or serve as a side to the main course. Grilled Corn on the Cob , cooked in the husk, is the perfect compliment to any barbecue.
Grilled Potato Salad makes a fantastic side dish to virtually any main course. LAWRY’S® Seasoned Salt adds a welcomed boost to this traditional barbecue dish.
What’s a barbecue without beans? Your guests will love our Maple Baked Beans recipe. It’s up to you whether or not you want to share it!
Dessert
Dessert is a must! If it’s hot outside your guests will appreciate a refreshing treat.
Prepare homemade popsicles using juice, or fill waffle cones with sugar-sprinkled berries and peaches, and top with whipped cream. Smoothies also offer a cool way to satisfy that sweet tooth.
Preparing for your Backyard BBQ
Barbecues should be fun. Plan ahead, so you’re not running to the corner store in a mad dash for missing ingredients and bags of ice. A day or two before your barbeque, get your grocery shopping done. Place frozen meat in the refrigerator 24 hours prior to the day of your party. If you plan on using marinades for your meat, start marinating at least 30 minutes prior to grilling to soak up the most flavor.
Here’s a breakdown of some non-food items that will help your backyard barbecue go off without a hitch:
- Plenty of ice
- Paper or plastic plates, cups, and utensils
- Napkins
- A cooler for keeping beverages accessible and cool
- Beverage pitchers for easy serving
- Sunscreen
- Umbrellas for tables
- Citronella candles to keep bugs at bay and add ambiance
- Extra chairs
- Food cart for keeping ingredients and utensils on hand while grilling
- Check propane gas tank level
Saving Time
By the time your guests start showing up, you don’t want to be so exhausted that you can’t enjoy yourself. Enlist help! Ask the kids to set out plates, cups, utensils and napkins. To save time and money, ask your guests to bring their own meat. This saves time because you don’t have to do the prep work and money because your guests are buying their own food. Also, you won’t be left with tons of food that could go to waste. Ask your guests to bring beach chairs to ensure you don’t run out of places to sit. Have beach blankets on hand just in case!
Activities
Once the food is gone, it’s a good idea to have a couple of activities available for guests to enjoy. Horseshoes, croquet, touch football and volleyball are great barbecue activities. If you have a pool, keep floatation devices, beach balls and a net nearby.
Now that you know who you’re inviting and what you’re going to serve, relax and look forward to your perfect backyard barbecue.
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