Summer is the perfect time to gather with friends and family and one of the best and most fun ways to do it is through a barbecue. Although barbecues are relatively humble affairs, there are a few key things to consider to make it the best event it can be.
Some key summer BBQ considerations include the location, time of day, menu, outside activities, and any equipment you need to make it happen. In this article, we’ll break down each of these topics to give you bulletproof summer barbecue ideas that will help you create a memorable and delicious experience. Let’s dive in.
Summer Barbecue Consideration: Location and Time
When choosing the right location for a summer BBQ, there are several factors to consider. Most importantly you’ll want to select a spot that has plenty of space. You need room for grilling, eating, and mingling with your guests (ideally with a beer or two).
Some examples of great locations include:
- A backyard, of course (especially if you have a pool)
- A local park
- Any nearby beach
- A local campground
- Scenic mountain/lake.
You’ll also want to think about the weather and choose a location with ample shade or access to indoor space in case of severe heat – especially if you have vulnerable groups (like children or the elderly) in attendance.
Another consideration is the proximity to amenities, such as:
- Restrooms
- Running water
- Electricity (if needed).
As for timing, long summer days give you a lot more flexibility. Typically late afternoon or early evening is the best time for a BBQ, as it allows you to enjoy the cooler evening temperatures while still having plenty of daylight for cooking. If you choose to have your BBQ midday you will just need to pay extra attention to proximity to shade or water to ensure your guests have a way to cool down.
Menu
At a summer BBQ, you’ll need mains, sides, drinks, and potentially dessert. Of course, you will need to keep dietary restrictions (like vegetarian, gluten free, dairy free, etc.) in mind, but here are a few of our favorite BBQ items:
- Mains: You have the standard hamburgers, cheeseburgers, and hot dogs. However, if you want to step it up it’s always fun to try something a little more adventurous like brisket, ribs, or kabobs.
- Sides: Some of our favorite sides for a summer BBQ are potato or pasta salad, veggies with dip, jalapeno poppers, fruit trays (like watermelon or pineapple platters), and veggie skewers.
- Drinks: What you and your guests prefer to drink will vary, of course, but we recommend having a mix of alcoholic and nonalcoholic options. We love a good iced tea, sweet tea, strawberry lemonade, a refreshing beer or a nice sangria. Note: If you are in a public area, you may not be able to enjoy an adult beverage, so check the rules before you go.
- Dessert: If you want to make the desserts at the summer BBQ here are some of our favorite desserts that can be made right on the grill. We like smores, berry crisp (made in tin foil), griller peaches with cream, or tin foil stuffed bananas.
Equipment
One of the best things about hosting a summer BBQ is that you don’t need fancy equipment to have a great and delicious time. Some public spaces will even supply you with a grill – you’ll just need tools and fuel.
However, if you want to step it up into the realm of fancy feasts, we recommend trying a smoker like the Big Green Egg, a pizza oven like the Ooni, or a tabletop griddle.
Along with the essential, there are a few other tools all summer BBQers should have. You will need:
- Grilling tools
- A well-stocked cooler
- An apron (for this we always recommend leather, even if we are a little biased)
- Tongs or a spatula
- A basting brush (for sauces)
- A meat thermometer
- Tin foil
- Seasonings and sauces
Activities
Summer BBQs are the perfect opportunity to enjoy outdoor activities and games with friends and family.
Game ideas:
- Cornhole. One classic game that is always a hit at family or friend barbecues is cornhole. Set up a cornhole board and challenge your guests to a friendly game of tossing the bean bags into the hole.
- Frisbee. Another popular game is frisbee or football toss. You can set up targets at varying distances to see who can make the most accurate throws, or just play catch in the sunshine.
- Scavenger hunt. For any children in attendance, setting up a scavenger hunt can add some excitement to the day and keep them busy. Hide various items around the area and provide clues for guests to find them, or create a list of natural objects for them to find (like a red stone, acorn, purple leaf, or an impressive seashell).
- Water games. Finally, nothing cools kids down on a hot day like a water balloon or squirt gun fight.
There are hundreds of great summer BBQ activities to choose from – you’ll just have to pick which ones align with your group, location/setting, and weather.
Conclusion
There’s always a good reason to throw a summer barbecue. Summer BBQs bring us all together – we hope these recommendations make it a little easier to get your party on the books. But regardless of what we think, there is no right or wrong way to have a great BBQ so let your ideas and creativity run wild. No matter what, be sure to enjoy yourself.