These BBQ party menu ideas for large groups will help you set the bar for this BBQ season. Want to have the BBQ party everyone compares to all summer long?
Follow these menu ideas to Make Your Backyard Barbecue a Success.
Make Your BBQ Party the one everybody is talking about. Planning a Barbecue Party that runs smoothly and keeps guests happy and relaxed all comes down to the planning.
KNOW YOUR BUDGET BEFORE PLANNING YOUR BBQ PARTY
Planning ahead and having a budget will take a lot of stress and pressure off of you.
When you are having a large party it can be difficult to make it affordable. Feeding a lot of people always costs money, and making sure you are stocked on the basic condiments and drinks will add up.
Having some basic savings tips can make the $100 summer BBQ is possible!
For a group of 10-12 people, even if you don’t have the usual burger condiments already in the fridge, you can still get away with staying under $100.
WHAT FOODS SHOULD YOU OFFER AT A LARGE BBQ PARTY?
If your guest list is made of friends and relatives you probably know what foods they like or do not like.
If guests are bringing children their tastes and appetites need to be taken into consideration.
There is a large variety of foods appropriate for barbeques. Most of them are affordable and easy to cook, provided you pan ahead.
Deciding what type of meat and side dishes you will be serving depends on two factors: budget and amount of prep you want to do. Since your barbeque is going to involve a large number of people, check beforehand what their preferences are.
If you have experience from other get-togethers you have a good idea of foods people like and expectations. By planning ahead you will be starting to set a high bar for BBQ parties following yours.
WHAT ARE THE BEST MAIN DISHES FOR A BBQ PARTY?
There are traditional foods cooked at BBQs such as hamburgers, hotdogs, ribs, pork shoulders, skewers, chicken breasts, or even salmon fillet, but there is so much more.
Many of these dishes involve BBQing, but a few can be made in the kitchen to free up grilling space which is nice if you are entertaining a large group of friends.
1. Hamburgers and cheeseburgers are a BBQ tradition they also take up a lot of grill space, consider BBQ Cheeseburger Kebabs instead of burgers.
These are suggested by Rachael Ray and sound great. Take some BBQ skewers and load them up with ground beef made into meatballs, add tomatoes, pickles, and onions, cook on the BBQ. When done add a square of cheese, cover to melt, and add barbecue sauce.
2. Grilled Shrimp Skewers – Great for appetizers
Easy to prepare ahead of time for a large crowd and always a pleaser.
Grilled shrimp skewers are shrimp marinated in garlic, lemon, and herbs, and threaded onto sticks, and grilled to perfection add extra marinade sauce as a dipping sauce.
. These are perfect for a busy night!
Shrimp skewers can also be broiled in the oven.
This is an impressive BBQ party menu ideas for large groups.
3. Hot Dogs and Sausages
Hot dogs are a BBQ party favorite and great for kids, but they do become common quickly. For a change use bratwurst, set up a basket of rolls and a condiment station.
Be creative with the condiments and everyone can make their own masterpiece. Offer some unusual topping combinations at the condiment station, such as salsa and cilantro, bacon, lettuce, and tomato, and blue cheese and hot pepper sauce.
4. Grilled Chicken
Chicken is generally a winner when it involves feeding a group, yet frequently barbequed chicken gets overcooked, usually for fear of undercooking it or serving it raw, then it becomes completely dry. Whether you’re cooking chicken pieces, the entire bird, with skin or with bones or without, there is no excuse for this famous picnic meal to be anything yet juicy and tender, just follow a couple of suggestions.
Most importantly, generously salt the chicken a day or 2 in advance, the salt helps the meat keep its all-natural juices as it cooks.
During food preparation, pre-heat the grill, getting up to the desired temperature. If you are using an indirect food cooking technique leave one part of the grill unheated, developing a cooler location to prepare the chicken.
Sear your hen initially to obtain a great external crust, then move to the cooler section and wait till the meat tightens prior to you check it for doneness.
Remove the chicken as soon as it is done so it does not dry out, cover it, and allow it to rest and cool down for 15 to 20 mins before serving so the juices can get redistributed.
If you are grilling boneless chicken, marinate several hours ahead of time and grill for about 6 minutes on each side.
5. Steak Fajitas
Serving steak to a large crowd may sound extravagant, but with some planning, it can be done at a reasonable price.
All that is required for this one is a couple of quality steaks and some tortillas, just add some fresh fillings you’d like to offer your guests.
Seal the steaks in a container with your marinade prior to putting them on the BBQ for a quick sear. Once done, slice them into strips and serve them to your waiting guests. They can then fill their fajitas with whatever fillings they wish. A few of our favorites are guacamole, salsa, soured cream, and grilled pepper strips, finished with a squeeze of fresh lime.
6. Pulled Pork
Smokers are becoming very popular and if you have one this is the perfect time to show off your smoking skills. No matter what part of the country you come from almost everybody loves pulled pork.
The smell alone will draw extra guests and set you head and shoulders above other party givers.
While intimidating, pulled pork is very easy to make. Pulled pork is one of the most popular BBQ requests and recipes at backyard BBQs.
By smoking the pork outside you will easily draw people from the house to the patio. This frees up the kitchen and house for other activities and gets the guests mingling together.
Pulled pork is a terrific BBQ party menu ideas for large groups.
7. Pork Ribs
Search for a simple smoked baby back ribs recipe which can lead to the most succulent, tender, and juicy ribs ever.
For the most taste, rub the ribs with a spice rub a day or 2 prior to smoking, if you do not have the time you can smoke the ribs immediately. Make certain to use strong aluminum foil when covering the ribs, you do not want any of the juices to getaway.
Serve with cornbread muffins or roasted oven french fries.
These can be prepared ahead of time to save time and free up grill space. To reheat wrap in foil and heat on the grill or in the kitchen oven.
What Are The Best Side Dishes For My BBQ Party?
Salads!
No barbeque party is complete without a choice of side dishes including salads. Potato salad, coleslaw, fresh garden salad are all classic choices and you cannot go wrong with them.
Potato salad
That does not mean it has to be the same recipe every time. From an American classic with mayo to a loaded baked potato salad to a roasted potato salad, there are many different ways to make this favorite side dish.
Even a Chinese potato salad or Greek potato salad would be welcome next to a traditional burger or dog.
Coleslaw
This side dish is expected at any barbecue buffet table. Coleslaw is traditionally made with hearty green cabbage and a creamy dressing. When eaten with grilled meats, it seems as if it were made for summertime cookouts.
You can add color to your basic slaw by including red cabbage, shredded carrot, and fresh herbs, to make coleslaw with a twist. If you’re not a fan of mayo, then adding yogurt instead may work better, or a Carolina slaw that uses a vinegar base.
Fresh Garden Salad
Many times BBQ parties completely forget all the great summer vegetables that are in season.
Use those vegetables at your next party. Produce is inexpensive and colorful so it looks great and you probably are using it in other dishes.
Serve a seasonal summer salad taking advantage of the fresh produce at the market—or in your garden.
Baked Beans
Baked beans are always a welcome dish at BBQ parties. Try a slight twist with maple syrup, a combination of sausages, beans, garlic. The sweetness of syrup will prove a wholesome flavor to enjoy.
THE WRAP-UP
These BBQ party menu ideas for large groups are just the start. Ask around and find unique ideas to make your party stand out.
These cheap grilling ideas will make your backyard barbecue feel fancy and different. It’s all about bringing friends and family together over amazing food.
SET THE BAR! LET THE GOOD TIMES ROLL!
RECENT POSTS
How To Cook Hot Dogs On Stove – The Ultimate Guide