Do you often find yourself scrambling to get everything ready for a barbecue at the last minute? Do you run out in the middle of the party because you’re suddenly out of grill fuel?
You’re not alone. As someone who loves to grill and entertain, you could use some practical tips on planning and organizing everything efficiently. By planning in advance, you can alleviate some regular concerns and ensure your next event is a huge success.
Below, we show you how to plan ahead for your next barbecue. That way, you’ll have everything you need before the day arrives.
Why It’s a Good Idea to Plan Ahead
A backyard barbecue is a great way to form new connections or catch up with close friends and family. It’s a chance to disconnect from worldly pressures and let your hair down a bit.
Planning ahead benefits your barbecue in the following ways:
- Maximized enjoyment: Being prepared allows you to enjoy the barbecue along with your guests.
- Controlled budget: You can prevent overspending and avoid expensive last-minute purchases by estimating the required quantities.
- Menu variety: Planning ahead gives you time to create a diverse menu with dishes catering to various dietary preferences or restrictions.
- Time management: When you give yourself leeway to plan, you can allocate enough time for shopping, barbecue meal prep and setting up the outdoor space without the rush.
The last thing you want on the day of the barbecue is to feel embarrassed for your lack of grill preparation or not having enough food for everyone. Planning ahead helps you avoid needless stress so you can relax and unwind with those you love most.
How to Prepare for Your Barbecue
There’s a lot to prepare and consider, so we recommend keeping a barbecue checklist to help you remember everything and minimize the nervous prep energy. Here’s how to prepare for a barbecue party with some time-saving prep hacks.
Set the Date and Invite Guests
Before choosing a date, check the weather forecast and select a day with favorable conditions for an outdoor barbecue party. Ensure you have a plan B if you need to move the party indoors.
When you’ve settled on a date, consider the following points when working on your guest list:
- Send invitations early: Send invitations early to your guests, giving them enough time to RSVP and plan their schedules accordingly. This will ensure good attendance.
- Communicate: Mention the date, time, location and any specific instructions or requests — such as bringing their own drinks — in the invitation to avoid confusion.
- Request RSVPs and ask about dietary needs: Ask your guests to respond by a certain date to get an accurate head count for planning your menu. Inquire about any dietary restrictions or preferences to accommodate everyone.
- Follow up: Send a reminder closer to the date to confirm attendance and adjust your preparations based on the final head count.
Plan Your Menu and Go Grocery Shopping
Now that you know how many guests are coming, it’s time to plan, calculate the portions and shop for the items on your menu. Choose a variety of classic recipes that can be prepared in advance. That way, you can spend more time with guests than cooking and grilling.
Consider the following menu additions:
- Meat: Classic barbecue staples include steak, chicken, burgers, ribs and sausage. For those with dietary preferences or restrictions, consider seafood, vegetarian or vegan options.
- Sides and salads: Prepare side dishes like coleslaw, grilled veggies, potato salad and corn on the cob. Choose sides that go well with your main meat.
- Extra touches: Remember the extras, such as rolls and toppings for burgers, condiments, salad dressings and dips.
- Drinks: If you expect many guests, consider buying bottled or canned drinks, as well as water and juice for the kids. For a more intimate affair, craft a signature cocktail or whip up a pitcher of punch.
- Desserts: Make the ending sweet with marshmallows on sticks or s’mores. Another option is an ice cream bar with different toppings.
If you want to save on costs and prep time, you can always ask guests to bring drinks, side dishes or snacks.
Prepare Your Equipment and Supplies
Similar to the ingredients, you’ll need to prepare the equipment and supplies you plan to use for the day:
- Grill: Ensure your grill is clean and free from any residue from the previous barbecue. There are a few ways to clean your grill after a cookout, from burning off food remnants to home remedies like using baking soda. Have a plan for separating meat from fish or vegetarian dishes.
- Fuel: Stock up on enough charcoal, gas or other fuel sources for the grill. Charcoal gets very hot, while gas makes cleaning the grill area easier.
- Barbecue tools: Gather necessary grilling tools, such as tongs, spatulas and knives. Have different utensils for raw meat, cooked meat and other ingredients.
- Tableware: Prepare enough plates, cutlery, cups, napkins, chairs and tables for the number of guests. Have plenty of ice and coolers to chill drinks throughout your event. Using disposable materials will help the cleanup process afterward.
Day-Before Barbecue Prep
The day before the barbecue, getting the following tasks done will make the event smoother:
- Marinate meats: Start marinating your meats the day before the event to enhance the flavors.
- Prep ingredients: Chop vegetables, prepare sauces or assemble your salads ahead of time.
- Set up early: Arrange tables, chairs and other comfortable seating so you have less to worry about on the day. Add decorations, colorful tablecloths and lighting for a festive atmosphere or consider exciting themes. Provide shade if you expect a hot, sunny day outside.
- Prepare your barbecue space: Tidy up the grilling and seating areas and ensure clear walkways, proper lighting and fire safety measures are in place.
- Create a vibe: Set the tone for the occasion by creating a music playlist and using a home audio system or wireless speaker.
- Plan entertainment: Plan outdoor games and activities to keep guests entertained. You can open the pool area, play a board game or cards or set up cornhole boards.
Have a Great Barbecue With Premio Foods
Between deciding on the menu, purchasing ingredients in advance and prepping food to ensure everything runs smoothly, a lot goes into hosting a barbecue. It’s always better to be overprepared than underprepared.
If sausage is on your barbecue menu, you have a wide variety to choose from. Premio Foods offers traditional Italian sausage favorites and other classics, like bratwurst, chorizo and kielbasa. Our sausages are all crafted with unique blends of butcher-quality cuts of meat, seasoning and spice, perfect for barbecues and any other occasion.
Create a memorable grilling experience with your family and friends. Locate a Premio Foods store near you!
