10 Easy Steps to Plan the Best Summer Cookout!

When the sun is shining brightly in the sky and there are no cold winds to make you close the doors and windows, miss no chance of going outdoors and enjoying the golden sunlight and beautiful weather. To make the most out of it, gather your friends or family members and have a cookout in your backyard or alongside the pool (if you have one in your house). Golden sunlight, a group of your best buddies, sizzling BBQ and refreshing lemonade - what’s the better way to welcome the beautiful weather? But, we all wish throwing a cookout could be as simple as it sounds. Let’s face the reality; it seems you need to have a special gene to pull off a perfect party. Many people say that it’s not everyone’s game; not necessarily though! Proper and detailed planning is the key to a successful party. Planning not only needs your thought, time and effort but to have everything fall flat attention to detail is required. One forgotten detail could ruin everything and you surely do not want that. To help you in making your summer cookout a huge success, this season, we have compiled a list of some simple and basic yet highly important tips and steps. Take a look and get going to plan a perfect summer cookout!

Choose Time and Location

Whether you are going to have the party in your backyard, on the terrace, at the rooftop or at a local park? Is it going to be a brunch party, a lunch or a dinner party? These are the foremost things to decide when it comes party planning as many other things depend upon these factors. Weekends are always the best option for throwing a cookout so that people do not worry about their work or appointments. While deciding the time, make sure to at least have a 4 to 5 hours time period for the party.

Make a Guest List

The guest list depends upon the nature of the party. If it is to celebrate some important event; you are likely to invite more people, but if it is just a get together then only your close friends and family members are likely to be there.

Invite and Follow Up

Send invites via text message or emails and then follow up 2 -3 days before the party to confirm the actual number of guests. This is important to make sure you prepare food accordingly.

Decide the Menu

Decide what’s going to be on your menu. Keep your guests’ preferences and likes and dislikes in mind. To be on the safe side, stick to the classics.

Keep It Simple

Keep everything simple, be it menu or decorations. Do not try too hard to make it a fancy event. Outdoor cookouts generally have a casual feel.

Do Not Ignore Entertainment

You need to take care of your guests’ entertainment as well and what could be better than music.

Make Enough Space in the Fridge

This is important because you are going to prepare food beforehand and keep it in the fridge.

Gather the Supplies

In addition to crockery, you will only need a large outdoor griddle, some oil and tongs.

Marinate the Meat

Do this a day before the party so you won’t panic out. Marinating the meat will also enhance the flavor and the meat will cook quickly.

Engage Your Guests

Engage your guests in outdoor cooking. Cooking together is the very essence of BBQ parties.