Your Complete Guide to a Memorable Backyard BBQ
Summer is quickly slipping away, but you still have time to host (another) amazing backyard BBQ that will surely be enjoyed by your friends and family. A backyard BBQ is such a fun way to bond with your loved ones, and we’re all for it.
So, what do you need for an amazing summer BBQ?
- Your trusty grill – May it be, gas, pellet, or a charcoal grill, cooking with your favourite grill makes a world of a difference. You get to achieve the best output when you’re familiar and at home with how your grill works.
- Grilling tools – Make sure to have the following on-hand:
- Skewers
- Tongs
- Thermometer
- Silicone brush
- Grill scraper
These are your essential grilling tools to achieve the perfect flavour and texture of anything you’re grilling.
- Seasonal ingredients – Make the most out of the summer by using what’s abundant and in season. The fresher, the better! Make sure to include a range of vegetables and fruits you can experiment with when trying out new flavor combinations on the grill.
- Recipes – It’s very easy to grill—especially when you have the right grill and tools—and it becomes even easier when you have your recipes within reach. You never know when you might forget the juice of one lemon or that pinch of Spanish paprika. So, before you host that summer BBQ, read up on your recipes and check your supplies to make sure you have the most flavorful grilled meats and veggies.
On that note, here are some of our new-found favorites which are perfect for summer backyard BBQs!
Classic pork skewers are basic yet ever wonderful for summer backyard BBQs. Yummy and easy to eat, you won’t notice you’ve had a few because they’re just that good!
- Freeze 2 lbs. of skinless pork shoulder for 45 minutes to an hour. Cut into 1−2-inch strips. Set aside.
- Grind 6 dried shiitake mushrooms and combine with half a red onion—thinly sliced, 12 coarsely chopped red Thai chilies, 8 cloves of coarsely chopped garlic, a half cup each of soy sauce and vinegar, ¼ cup sugar, and a tablespoon each of black peppercorns and salt. Shake all together in a Ziploc bag before marinating the pork in it for 6-8 hours.
- Prepare your grill; set to medium high heat.
- Separate marinade from pork and boil it for a minute on a saucepan atop the grill, skimming as needed. Set aside.
- Skewer pork strips and lightly season with some salt and pepper.
- Cook on preheated grill for about 2 minutes per side, basting with your marinade until cooked through and brown all over.
Whether you eat them as they are or pair it with the grilled meats of your choice, you won’t go wrong with this old-fashioned potato salad recipe. It’s rich and it captures the flavors of summer!
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook 5 potatoes until tender—about 15 minutes. Drain and peel when cool to touch. Chop into bite-sized chunks.
- Boil 3 eggs, let cool, peel, and roughly chop.
- Combine the potatoes and eggs with a cup of chopped celery, a half cup each of chopped onions and sweet pickle relish, ¼ cup mayonnaise, 1 tbsp garlic, ¼ tsp each of garlic salt and celery salt, and ground black pepper (to taste) in a bowl. Mix well.
- Refrigerate until nicely chilled. A steel bowl works wonders!
Our wildcard for amazing summer backyard BBQs, we love this easy Brazilian lemonade.
- Wash and then slice 2 limes into 8 wedges.
- Place limes into a blender together with half a cup of sugar, 3 tbsp condensed milk, 3 cups of water, and some ice.
- Pulse until all of the lime is fine and ice is in crushed consistency.
- Strain over a fine mesh pushing the juice through and separating the rind.
- Serve remaining mixture with fresh ice in your favorite glasses. Garnish with lime wedges for extra oomph.
Try these tips and recipes out for a fun and memorable summer backyard BBQ with your friends and family!
