Summer is the season of finding fun, creative ways to spice up your girls nights, and with such nice weather, it’s necessary to throw a backyard barbecue with all your friends. The idea of hosting may be daunting, but I’m here to break down the steps and tell you how to make all aspects more manageable. A barbecue doesn’t have to be complicated to be cute, so read below for some tips and tricks to throwing the perfect summer barbecue for beginners.
How To Grill The Meats
The most obvious element of a successful barbecue is the food, and people will definitely be expecting hotdogs and hamburgers at your party. Don’t fear the grill because even first-time BBQ hosts can successfully make a great summer dinner! All you need tools wise is tongs and a meat thermometer, but be sure to clean your grill properly before cooking any meat. To start it, I’d recommend skipping lighter fluid and using an easier alternative like chimney starters or newspaper. For a charcoal grill, the most user-friendly way to start it is by filling the chimney halfway with charcoal and putting fire starters and newspaper in the base beneath the grate. Once lit, add the chimney starter directly on top while you wait for the charcoal to lighten. When it turns gray, pour the hot charcoal onto the base and add the grates back before cooking. Now, you have the perfect hot surface for the burgers and dogs, which you’ll rotate as each side chars and remove according to the meat thermometer. If you’re feeling savvy with the grill after making the meat, you can also cook some veggies like asparagus or onion to have with your BBQ for an even more impressive grill lineup. Check out our more in depth guide to grill here.
How To Complete The Menu
In addition to the grilled items, you’ll need sides that scream summer and make a more balanced meal for your guests. If the meat was enough grilling for your liking, skip making vegetables the same way and find other sides to incorporate instead. You can never go wrong with a noodle dish like baked mac and cheese or pasta salad, or for a lighter option, you can throw in a summer salad with couscous, cheese, arugula, or other ingredients. To avoid more cooking entirely, it’s super easy to make cheese and crackers look fancy, so throw them on a pretty plate with some grapes, olives, and other charcuterie ingredients for a fun appetizer board. Another summer must is fruit, so chop up a watermelon to complete your entire barbecue spread. And finally, pick a signature drink like blackberry citrus refreshers or spring punch as seen in our spring mocktail guide to serve with dinner. Mix and match any or all of these options for the perfect summer menu!
How To Decorate The Space
The presentation is almost as important as the actual cooking, so be sure to decorate your table and space accordingly for the barbecue. You’ll want your guests to feel welcome and enjoy a pretty setting, so first up is a tablecloth that will make your table look more summery and make cleaning up way faster. I’d recommend something gingham because it feels necessary for a summer BBQ, but you can also pick anything that matches the overall vibe of your complete menu. Using paper plates and napkins and plastic forks and knives keeps your party easy and casual, but sometimes real silverware makes the table look more complete. It’s all up to the host’s preference! I’d also get cute glasses from Target, so guests can serve themselves the aforementioned signature drink with dinner. If you really want to make the backyard feel complete, add some string lights around the patio or wherever you’re sitting, so when the sun goes down you can stay outside!
How To Entertain The Guests
In addition to dinner, you’ll want to keep some fun, phone-free activities on hand to engage your friends and keep it exciting to be together. Board games or cards are always a great option, so if you and your friends have a favorite, be sure to bust it out when you’re finishing up with dinner. My friends and I personally love Rummikub, Scattergories, or Five Crowns, which can all be played in an outdoor setting once the table is cleared. For a more interactive game, ask your friends to write down people, places, or things on little slips of paper and play Charades. Bonus points if you use inside jokes or people from your actual lives to make it even funnier. If you’re not into games, you can host a craft activity instead! Pick up some materials at the craft store and find a project that is artsy and fun, such as painting wine glasses, collaging vision boards with magazine cutouts, or making felt pennants with your name on them. There are so many ways to wrap up this perfect summer barbecue, so get creative and find something your friends will all enjoy!