I’ve had a lot of practice throwing cookouts lately! My friends and I have been getting together just about every weekend to grill out. We’ve pretty much got planning these events down to a science, so today I’m sharing some of my cookout tips with you.
Summer is almost here, and that means it’s time for cookout season! Whether you prefer burgers, BBQ chicken or ribs, this is always a fun party idea. It’s a great way to spend family time or get together with friends.
Don’t stress about planning a cookout. It’s such a laid back, simple way to get together. Enjoy the warm weather and great food with these tips.
Pick the Right Date and Time
Planning your cookout on a Friday at 5:30 when you get off at 5 can cause a lot of stress! Instead, pick a date and time when you know you can have the time to get everything ready beforehand.
We usually plan our cookouts for Saturday so we will have plenty of time to get ready. It’s also a great day because we don’t mind being up late. If we end up holding our cookout on Sunday, we schedule it for an earlier time so we won’t be too tired at work the next day.
Keep it Small
One of the best ways to make sure your cookout will be stress-free is to keep your guest list small! By just inviting a few people, you can save money and time on food, as well as be able to enjoy a more intimate time.
Enlist the Help of Your Guests
I’ve found that almost every time, my guests will ask what they can bring or what they can do to help. For our cookouts, one person will bring the main dish and we will ask everyone else to bring a side dish, drinks or dessert.
For our cookout last weekend, we enlisted our friend David from Strength and Movement to help us grill up some BBQ Chicken! Don’t try to do everything yourself. Save time and don’t stress by letting people help when they volunteer.
Make an Easy Side Dish
Grabbing an easy-to-make side while you are at the store can make your cookout even easier! I picked up a box of Betty Crocker Suddenly Salad at Publix. I couldn’t believe how easy it was to make! I added some sautéed asparagus to give this pasta salad a homemade touch.
You can save on Suddenly Salad with these coupons from Publix!
Use Paper and Plastic for Easy Clean Up
After relaxing outside during your cookout, the last thing you will want to do is clean up after everyone leaves. We like to keep a stock of paper plates and plastic silverware and cups in the house for our cookouts.
When your cookout is over, all you have to do is throw all the plates, cups and silverware in the trash!
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What are your Summer cookout tips?
Jaelan @ Making Mrs. M says
PERFECT tips. Man I cannot WAIT to start cookout “season”!
Jenna Brussee says
It’s the best! We set up a misting system in my fiancé’s backyard so we can enjoy cookouts even once the Florida heat hits.
Paige Allison says
So, wanna know something funny abuout me that this post made me remember? When I was in high school, and a three season athlete, I would make a box of suddenly salad and eat the ENTIRE thing. For an after school snack. Yup.
Great tips for an easy cookout! If it ever stops raining in Texas, I can’t wait to use them! And oh, how I miss Publix. Those need to come to Texas too! 🙂
Jenna Brussee says
Haha, that’s pretty funny! You will love Suddenly Salad for cookouts, too.
Kristin C says
I am so excited to do a cookout soon. Thanks for hosting the giveaway!
Jenna Brussee says
Cookout season is so much fun! I’m really enjoying it this year.
Karen says
looks like a great cookout and wonderful bbq! Found you on Full Plate Thursday
Jenna Brussee says
Thanks, Karen! It was a lot of fun. I hope you can use some of these tips for your next cookout.
Brittany Bergman says
I couldn’t agree more with asking for help — people love to contribute, and I love having a little bit of everyone’s favorite dishes at the barbecue. Also, cookouts were just made for paper plates and shorts and relaxing. My favorite kind of dinner party. 🙂
Jenna Brussee says
Exactly! These things just make it a little easier.
Ashley @ 3 Little Greenwoods says
Paper products for a cookout ROCK! Great tips and yummy pasta salad!
Jenna Brussee says
Yes! Who wants to clean up after having a nice relaxing cookout?
Anna @ The Beauty Section says
I LOVE Suddenly Salad Pasta Salads… there are so many yummy ones to pick from! In fact I actually some today for lunch! Your cookouts look so fun!! 🙂
Jenna Brussee says
Suddenly Salad is so awesome for an easy side or lunch. It would be a great item to keep in the pantry all the time.
HS kraftmaking says
To keep the bugs out of side dishes by serving them in large glass canisters.
Jenna Brussee says
That’s smart! We’ve been having a lot of bugs lately. Definitely one of the downsides of Florida summers.
Natalie says
My tip is to grill quick cooking foods and to make a lot of the food ahead of time.
Jenna Brussee says
That’s a great idea! I liked Suddenly Salad because I was able to make it earlier in the day and just keep it in the fridge until our cookout started.
Lori Boutelle says
Great tips! I can’t wait to have summer cookouts!
Jenna Brussee says
I’m having a lot of fun with them this year.
melissa newell says
My best cookout tip – make a drink station where guests can help themselves!
Melissa newell
Jenna Brussee says
Great idea! I love having lemonade or other fruity drinks at a cookout.
Jenna Brussee says
You should use it for your next cookout! I really liked how the asparagus just added a little bit of flavor to this mix.
Livivua Ramsey says
make sure coals are ready
Elena says
I would make the Grilled Caesar Pasta salad
shellypeterson says
I want to try the California Chicken BLT Salad
Stacey B says
My best tip is check the weather first, lol
Brooke Knipp says
One of my favorite parts of cookouts is tasting all the different foods people bring. And pasta salad is so ingrained as SUMMER food to me, and I haven’t made it for so long. Thanks for reminding me. It’s time for a cookout! 🙂
Jenna Brussee says
It’s so much fun when everyone brings a different dish! Pasta salad is a MUST!
Natalie says
I would love to try the
Tuscan Style Tomato Pasta Salad
Miz Helen says
I am so excited that it is cookout time again and these are great tips! Hope you are having a great day and thanks so much for sharing with Full Plate Thursday this week.
Come Back Soon!
Miz Helen
Jenna Brussee says
Thank you, Miz Helen! Have a great day.
Cheryl says
Preheat your grill at least 20 minutes before using it.
Not only does this warm up the grill – it kills germs lingering
from last week’s barbecue.
Jenna Brussee says
Great tip! I always preheat it, but never pay attention to how long. I should make sure it’s at least 20 minutes next time.
Laurajj Jacobson says
Oh all the recipes look so good, I would have to make the Quick Antipasto Pasta Salad first!
Jenna Brussee says
Mmmm, that one sounds great! I love how easy it is to dress up a box of Suddenly Salad.
Laurajj Jacobson says
My tip is to keep your grill far enough away from the house and grass
Jenna Brussee says
Yes! Where you place it is so important. Thanks for the reminder.
jalapenomama says
I just have to make the Layered Mexican Party Salad!
form name Barbara Montag
thank you
Jenna Brussee says
That sounds delicious! Thanks for stopping by.
Birdiebee says
I am going to try the California Chicken BLT Salad first as it looks so delicious.
Jenna Brussee says
Oooh, that does sound good! They had so many great ideas for dressing up the boxed mix.
Lauren says
I want to try the Chicken Pesto Salad.
Lauren says
Always make it a potluck to reduce stress for the hostess.
Jenna Brussee says
I love potluck-style parties! They make life so much easier.
AmandaSakovitz says
I have everyone bring a side dish just so we have a nice variety of food
Jenna Brussee says
We love doing that for cookouts! We provide the meat or main dish, and everyone brings their favorite side. It helps cut back on the cost and time for me, too.
AmandaSakovitz says
I want to try the layered summer pasta salad
steve weber says
You have to marinade your meat for at least 24 hours
Jenna Brussee says
It definitely tastes much better if you have the time to do that! I need to plan ahead more often.