Everybody is stuck to their phones these days, and the concept of ‘quality time with loved ones’ is kind of diminishing (*looks angrily at the phone*). In such a situation, a weekend BBQ with family and friends becomes almost necessary.
Outdoor BBQs are a great way to bond with family or friends. Grilling together and sharing the meals, especially outdoors, helps family members catch up and bond. Now that it’s grilling time, you will need to spruce up your planning skills along with your grilling skills.
Yes, a good weekend BBQ requires a little planning. Imagine this; you go to a nice place and prepare to grill some juicy meat and crispy veggies. But suddenly, it strikes you that you forgot something. Tragic, isn’t it?
This is why it is always important to have a BBQ checklist. This way, you won’t leave something at home and ruin what could’ve been a fun weekend. With planning instincts as strong as Monica Geller’s, I shall help you with the checklist thing.
BBQ Checklist For The Perfect Weekend BBQ
So, let’s move to the checklist without wasting any more precious time. Here’s what to prepare when planning a weekend BBQ with the family.
1. Get The Right Amount Of Fuel
When it comes to preparing for that killer weekend BBQ, getting the right amount of fuel is crucial. Once you start grilling, there’s no going back. But if you run out of fuel midway grilling, that’d be an epic fail.
What’s a BBQ weekend without BBQ. So, always make sure you carry appropriate, no scratch that, sometimes a little more than necessary fuel. This way, you can grill the meat to your heart’s content.
If you have a charcoal grill, keep bags of charcoal ready. For gas grills, keep your propane tanks ready! So, the right amount of fuel? Check!
2. Prepare Your Food Shopping List
What’s a more important question than “how to grill”? It’s “what to grill?”. Remember that all ingredients need to be ready before you even light your grill. You don’t want to run around looking for some items or having to rush to the grocery store to pick important salad veggies.
Having a comprehensive BBQ shopping list will save you the agony and disappointment of embarrassment in front of your family. Here are some essential items you could consider:
- Hamburger and Hot Dog Buns
- Meat (Beef, Pork, Lamb)
- Chicken Wings
- Hot Dogs and Sausages
- Vegetables (Onions, Tomatoes, Bell Peppers, and Lettuce)
- Sauces and Condiments (BBQ Sauce, Mustard, Ketchup, Mayonnaise)
- Oil
- Cheese Slices
- Pickles and Relish
- Whole Corn
- Potatoes (for baking)
- Drinks (Water, Lemonade, Fruit Juice, Soda, Beer, Wine or Cocktails)
As you can see, I have listed most of the things that you need for a perfect BBQ. This is a mini-checklist for you to tick off. Food shopping? Check!
3. Prepare Your Food
A great way to enjoy BBQ better is to prepare all your ingredients in advance. Avoid the last-minute rush that might ruin your perfect plan. Create your salads and chop all your vegetables and fruits a few hours before grilling. Ensure that you defrost your meats in the refrigerator to avoid any bacteria buildup.
A marinade is essential for meats to bring out a rich flavor. Marinating your chicken wings, drumsticks, T-bone steak, or sirloin helps to make them tender and juicier. You can also sample some BBQ recipes that can add that spark to an ordinary grilling weekend.
Smoking meat adds a more prosperous and fuller flavor. To get the best-smoked meat, some BBQ smoker cooking recipes suggest that you soak some pieces of wood in water for a while, then place them on the hot charcoal and cover the grill. If you are using a gas grill, most come with a smoker box.
So, do you get it now? Save time by doing some meal prep. Spend the saved time savoring the moments with your family and the burgers, of course! Food prep? Check!
4. Prepare Grilling Tools
While the grill is the centerpiece of BBQ, investing in the right set of tools is essential. The choice of tools is mostly dependent on the type of meat on the grill, but in general, adequate grilling tools can last years before you think of replacing them.
Here is a list of some grilling tools, utensils, and accessories that you should prepare for your BBQ.
- Tongs, Grill Fork and Metal Spatula,
- Aluminum Foil
- Meat Thermometer
- Cooking Spray
- Grill Brush
- Plates, Serving Bowls, Glass, Cups
- Forks, Spoon, Knives, Serving Spoons
- Apron, Towel, Heat-Resistant Gloves
- Table Cloth, Napkins, and Toothpicks (to set the table)
Another mini-checklist! I am killing it with these! So, grilling tools are out of the way as well. You know what I am thinking—grilling tools? Check!
5. Safety Is Important
Fact: Grills cause a lot of domestic fires. Even though you might be having it in the outdoors, investing in fire safety is paramount. Always have a fire extinguisher nearby. In the case of other accidents, you can place a first-aid kit nearby.
Also, the BBQ is outdoors. If it’s a sunny day, chances are too much time outdoors with give you a sunburn. So, you should keep sunscreen handy as well.
Don’t forget the bugs! Keep some bug spray with you. Torches and candles are also a must if you plan to stay outside until late evening or nightfall.
I have another mini-checklist for you, but this is a serious one. Here is a checklist of safety essentials;
- Fire Extinguisher
- First-Aid Kit
- Sunscreen
- Bug Spray
- Torches and Candles
So, lastly, safety essential? Check!
Final Words
These are all important for a good BBQ. If you want your BBQ to be more fun and comfortable, you can get lawn chairs and lawn tables. Hang up some beautiful string lights and enjoy the summer.
After all the prep is done, all there’s left to do is enjoy! Tell me in the comments if you liked my mini checklists. Also, all feedback is welcome. I’ll see you next time. Until then, happy BBQ-ing!
