Holidays are approaching us fast, but before the warm months are gone we must take advantage of them. Let’s enjoy the last bit of summer and learn the easiest way of hosting a cookout of your own.
I live in Florida and with beautiful weather year round, I can use a lot of these strategies at any time of the year. We also live lakeside with an amazing outside patio, so my husband is always down to use the grill.
I am here to help you out with some quick tips and tricks for making your next cookout a success. There are a few things you should always do and some that are good enough to up your hostess status a little.
Start with Appetizers
This is like a golden rule. The key to a successful cookout is some appetizers to pick on while the main course is being prepped and grilled.
Friends also enjoy munching and picking on a variety of foods while they are conversing. People bring their hunger with them and should be ready to eat as soon as they show up.
A couple suggestions for appetizers:
- have a variety, at least more than one item
- have one platter such as cheese or fruit where a person couldn’t question about an allergy
- get creative! try a new recipe, it isn’t the main course, so it won’t hurt anything
Another tip is your appetizer can reflect the main course. If you are doing steaks on the grill, I will usually start with cheese and crackers with maybe a dip. Something that compliments what will be served later.
Add a Touch of Greenery when Hosting a Cookout
My family has plants all around us. We are personally always growing something. I recommend adding a pop of greenery to your tables.
It brings the outside in or if you are already outside, it just adds some colors. You can even use fake greenery from around your house.
Before I married my husband, I had a lot of fake plants. Now I know how to grow real ones. We even grow long stem flowers, to pick them for our own bouquets or as gifts.
We get a sense of pride when the main display comes from our own yard. You could be surprised how easy it is to find a couple of flowers or plants to make a simple display with.
Provide more than One Meat Option
People like to choose from a variety. Also make note that some people don’t prefer to eat red meat. I also recommend with the meat to serve a variety of vegetables. This a healthy third option that some prefer.
The more variety the happier your guests will be. And keep with some diversity, don’t just always add chicken to the grill, try shrimp or turkey.
The best part of cooking out is enjoying the flavors and trying unique things. Such as new vegetables or herbs added. Tonight, I grabbed steaks for the grill and this time I am trying an herbed butter. I have always said we would do this, but we never have. We have a lot of basil and rosemary in the garden so we are going to use these to spice up our meat.
Matching Dishes and Plates
I hate to say it but matching dishes just puts the final touches on your cookout. It ends up being picture perfect. Due to the pandemic our cook-outs are intimate with family or a few friends. So I always have a set of 6-8 dishes that I use.
My main platters are always matching colors in white and blue. If you don’t have this than stick with neutrals. You can easily match neutrals with other neutrals. Then you let the colors of the food be the expression.
I have always had party platters and dishes in which I have collected over the years. My secret for not having too much stuff though is to know what my mom and sister have. I have borrowed their items and traded with them as well.
Especially during Christmas when you want everything to be bright and cheery and I don’t have a million Christmas platters. This is where I go and borrow or thrift shop (shh! my secret).
Serve a Variety of Drink Selections
Always have some refreshments on hand. You don’t have to go overboard. People are content with a typical beer or an iced tea.
Don’t go for the expensive liquor which could cause your guests to over indulge. Just a simple beer, seltzer or non alcoholic choices would make them happy enough.
Also remember kid friendly choices, such as water, tea or lemonade. Not everyone likes to drink all the time and would prefer to have these options to choose from easily. They are quick cheap and add that variety to your party options.
My favorite drink recipe can be found here. This is a nice refreshing margarita choice for a summer cookout.
Think Simple
When hosting a cookout, think simple. Family and friends are there for the conversations, a few yard games and to eat a meal at the end.
You don’t have to get the top of the line meat or the premium drink to entertain. Guests want to feel comfortable and indulge in the same things they would if they were at their own home.
Remember hosting a cookout is to enjoy one another’s company. In today’s time period, this is precious and should be done safely. But relationships are important and these are the beautiful memories that everyone will remember.
Now go enjoy your cookout, especially on the holidays that we honor our military. And enjoy the company of your loved ones.
