From the longer days to the warmer weather to vibrant flowers blooming, there are many things to love about summer. But one of the best summertime activities has to be gathering with family and friends for a backyard barbecue.
If it’s your turn to host, there’s no need to worry. With their more relaxed vibe, barbecues are typically easier to pull together than a dinner party. Unsure where to start? We’ve got you covered with everything you need to throw the best summer barbecue this year.
Tips for the best summer barbecue
- Food, food, food: Burgers, hot dogs, chicken and steak are the stars of any barbecue, so make sure to have about a half-pound of meat per person. It’s also a good idea to have some veggie options like plant-based burgers and vegetable skewers for vegetarian friends. For sides, opt for recipes that can be made ahead and don’t require reheating, like potato and pasta salads, to reduce your workload.
- Set up a self-serve bar: Make it easy on yourself and your guests by providing a self-serve bar. Set up pitchers of lemonade, iced tea and cocktails for adults and fill a cooler with beer, soft drinks and bottled water, so drinks are easy to grab.
- Keep the decor simple: All parties are a little more fun with decorations, but at a barbecue, you can usually keep things simple since the outdoor setting provides the perfect ambiance. Still, you may want to add some string lights to create a cozy vibe when the sun goes down.
- Have enough seats: While barbecues are more casual, your guests will be more comfortable if they can sit down to eat. Make sure you have enough seating for everyone, so no one is left standing. Picnic benches are a great option because they can seat several people.
Essentials for throwing the best summer barbecue
Blackstone Original 28” Omnivore Griddle
With 517 square inches of cooking space, you can make plenty of delicious burgers, hot dogs, chicken, steaks and more on this propane griddle. Its built-in wind guards help it heat up quickly, while the side shelf provides valuable food prep space.
This four-piece set contains everything you need to make all your barbecue favorites, including lockable tongs, a spatula, a fork and a silicone brush. The tools are made of heavy-duty, rust-resistant stainless steel, so they’re durable and easy to clean.
Flash Furniture Lila Modern Rattan Indoor/Outdoor Stackable Dining Chairs
Make sure your barbecue guests have somewhere comfortable to sit in your yard with this set of four rattan dining chairs. They have ergonomically designed curved backs that provide plenty of support and stack for easy storage.
Brightech Ambiance Pro LED String Lights
Set the perfect mood for your barbecue after dark with these patio string lights. The strand is 48 feet long, so it can cover a large area. The LED bulbs are dimmable, so you can choose the perfect amount of light for any occasion.
Anker Soundcore Bluetooth Speaker
Every barbecue needs some fun summer tunes as its soundtrack, and this lightweight but durable Bluetooth speaker makes it easy to listen to your favorite playlists in the yard. It is IPX5-rated for water protection and has a 24-hour battery for plenty of listening time.
Ninja SLUSHi Max XXL Smart Frozen Drink Maker
If you really want to throw a memorable summer barbecue, this frozen drink maker is a game-changer. It doesn’t require any ice to make delicious frozen beverages, so you can whip up delicious fruit-flavored slushies for the kids and luscious frozen cocktails for the adults. The pitcher has a 150-ounce capacity, so it can make approximately 20 servings at a time.
Prices listed reflect time and date of publication and are subject to change.
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