Everybody’s well aware of how stressful it can be to host a family BBQ. From the preparation to the clean-up, there is no shortage of stressors that come with this tradition. However, it doesn’t need to be that way!
The Perfect Family BBQ
Here’s an easy guide for anyone looking to host their perfect family BBQ.
Food Preparation
One of the top stressors for hosting a family BBQ is preparing enough food. If you allow yourself to get caught up in trying to prepare too many dishes, you’re bound to be overwhelmed and overall disappointed by the outcome because you won’t have time to relax while cooking. You can reduce your stress levels tremendously by making sure that you pick recipes that require minimal preparation and are fairly simple to make. Some of the great, and easy options include grilled cheese sandwiches, grilled chicken or steak, hamburgers and hot dogs (these are always a hit with kids and adults alike), potato salad…
Pay attention to preparing food at the BBQ, as this will be the focal point of your family event. Especially flare-ups on your charcoal or gas grill can charr and ruin your meat, so that is why it is vital to pay attention to the grill or learn beforehand how you can prevent this from happening. With a little bit of practice, it is easy to get a hang of the right procedures regarding BBQ cooking.
Once you’ve decided on your recipes, take some time to prepare the ingredients ahead of time. This will help reduce stress on the day of the BBQ and will ensure that everything goes smoothly. If you’re grilling, make sure to marinate your meat overnight for added flavor. Chop up all of your veggies and fruits beforehand, and mix up any salads that need it. And don’t forget to pack up the condiments!
Setting Up the Grill
One of the most important things for hosting a stress-free BBQ is setting up your grill. If you use a charcoal grill, make sure to set it up in the right spot so that smoke doesn’t bother anyone when cooking. Once it’s ready, gather all of the tools you’ll need for cooking your food including tongs, basting brush, etc. Also, be sure that you have enough fuel before starting the BBQ because running out mid-meal can be extremely inconvenient.
The company you keep while grilling is also important. If you’re having a lot of people over, be sure to designate someone as the Grill Master and make sure they’re comfortable with cooking on a grill. This will help take some of the pressure off of you and ensure that your BBQ goes smoothly.
Drinks and Desserts
While the main focus of the BBQ will undoubtedly be the food, don’t forget about drinks and desserts. It’s always a good idea to have a variety of beverages available for guests, from sodas and water to beer and wine. Depending on the age group of your guests, you might also want to have some non-alcoholic drinks as well.
For dessert, provide a variety of options like cookies, brownies, fruit salad, and ice cream. A variety of sweets will ensure that everyone can find something they like. Fruit salad is a healthy option and can help balance out all of the other junk food.
Games and Activities
Another great way to keep everyone entertained at a family BBQ is by having fun games and activities planned. This can take a lot of the pressure off of you as the host and will ensure that everyone has a good time. A few great ideas include water balloon toss, relay races, potato sack races, pin the tail on the donkey, or simply playing frisbee or tag in the backyard.
Don’t forget to also have some lawn games like cornhole, horseshoes, or bocce ball on hand. These are always a big hit with guests of all ages!
Cleaning Up
The last step to hosting a successful family BBQ is making sure your home stays clean during and after the event. The most obvious way to achieve this is by having the appropriate tools on hand when you need them, like trash bags or wet wipes. It can be hard to keep everything spick-and-span if you don’t have what you need in advance! Plan and make sure you’ve got all of these items beforehand.
Since it is a family event, you can ask members of your family to help you clean up after the BBQ. This will make the process go a lot faster and will ensure that your home is back to normal in no time.
How to Have The Perfect Family BBQ
Hosting a BBQ can be overwhelming and stressful, but it doesn’t need to be anymore! Using these tips for food preparation, recipes, and games that will keep everyone entertained and happy will give you more time to relax with your loved ones and enjoy the event.