Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Original poster

What makes a really good BBQ?

58 replies

BossAssBitch · 14/05/2019 12:41

Holding a BBQ for around 40 friends in July. Any ideas about how to make it special and fun for our guests?

OP posts:
Aestas · 14/05/2019 13:07

Halloumi. Lots of halloumi.

My DS has great BBQs, she always makes a lot of homemade salads and sides which make it extra special. Sometimes they will hire a small bouncy castle for all the kids.

SwanneeKazoo · 14/05/2019 13:18

Don't do burgers and sausages, cook stuff like butterflied leg of lamb, spatchcocked chicken, homemade kebabs (veggie too), and as per pp, lots of salads.

MiniDoofa · 14/05/2019 13:21

I’d pick one type of meat (lamb for us), and do loads of that, then rolls and coleslaw with loads of salads. Cheese and crackers/chips and dips.
Have fun!

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

General food
NameChangedNoImagination · 14/05/2019 13:22

Don't do burgers and sausages Shock

Don't invite me to your BBQ!

MissMary0fSweden · 14/05/2019 13:22

It’s all about the sides.

Modestandatinybitsexy · 14/05/2019 13:24

Skirt of beef, marinaded in teriyaki sauce for a day, then bbq'd until pink in the middle, sliced finely - against the grain. Always goes down well and so easy to do.

Agree about the salads, a couple of different options so everyone has something to choose from

And some really nice crusty bread.

spanishwife · 14/05/2019 13:26

What about a 'pimp your burger' bar with a selection of sauces, cheese, toppings...

mbosnz · 14/05/2019 13:27

Think about doing corn on the cob and asparagus on the barbie, too. A nice potato salad is good. Marinaded steak. Butterflied chicken, a leg of lamb. A nice green salad with lots of colour added with capsicums and multi coloured tomatoes - with a variety of dressings so people can add their own. If there's going to be children - sausages are a must! Scallops are lovely on the barbie.

user1474894224 · 14/05/2019 13:28

Keep the kids happy - food and entertainment, have a wet weather back up, make sure whoever is cooking has the right skills (alternatively cook in the oven and just stick on the BBQ for 5 mins at the end). Have it over a meal time. Send everyone home before people get too drunk, kids start wining and you end up cleaning up into the night.

noloh1 · 14/05/2019 13:28

Plenty of food! Nothing worse than running out. Lots of alcohol too Smile

MessyMummy15 · 14/05/2019 13:30

Booze 👍🏼

MustardScreams · 14/05/2019 13:34

My perfect bbq would have:

Rare flat iron steak
Salmon wrapped in foil with slices of lemon and fennel
Chargrilled asparagus and wedges of peppers
Really good homemade burgers
Halloumi
Flatbreads
Greek salad
Tomato and mozzarella salad
Interesting dips like baba ganoush, feta and mint and artichoke and spinach

Loads of ice cold San Miguel

BlackcurrantJamontoast · 14/05/2019 13:41

Champagne free flowing
Decent cold beers
Stick to 3 cocktails and do them well (we do aperol and bramble)
Steak, decent fish, chicken, veg option
salads
Nibbles on arrival-plentiful.
Enough chairs and table for everyone
games for children
strawberries/eton mess etc

Think about the evening. Wraps as it gets dark. 2nd food offering, move to more chilled drinks etc

BlackcurrantJamontoast · 14/05/2019 13:42

What is your budget?

BlackcurrantJamontoast · 14/05/2019 13:43

have at least 2 barbecues going

00100001 · 14/05/2019 13:44

"Don't do burgers and sausages shock

Don't invite me to your BBQ!"

You'd hate mine then Grin I do sausage and burger one someties, but most of the time, n none in sight!

MAkes you get more creative - we have things like fish, pork belly, lamb steaks, rib-eye, ribs pulled pork etc

IncyWincyGrownUp · 14/05/2019 13:51

Modest the beef sounds lovely. Any way to cook that indoors? I’m not great with beef, but love eating it.

redhotchill · 14/05/2019 13:54

It could get pricey if you go for the lamb people have suggested!

I'd do pulled pork in the slow cooker and sausages, burgers and veggie kebabs on the BBQ. The pimp your burger table sounds good too

Big salads, Nachos and fried onions on the side

SauvingnonBlanketyBlanc · 14/05/2019 13:56

If you do burgers and sausages get them from a butcher

WeepingWillowWeepingWino · 14/05/2019 13:56

being a considerate BBQer and ensuring your neighbours know you're planning this so they can shut their windows and bring their washing in, and siting your BBQ as far away as possible from your neighbours' houses.

Otherwise, halloumi. And lots of yummy salads and condiments.

Original poster
BossAssBitch · 14/05/2019 14:13

Wow thanks everyone Star I wasn't expecting so many helpful and creative replies!

WeepingWillowWeepingWino
being a considerate BBQer and ensuring your neighbours know you're planning this so they can shut their windows

We are inviting our neighbours but if they don't want to come, we will be as considerate as possible. We will definitely site the bbq at the bottom of the garden, luckily it's v long Smile

MessyMummy
Booze
I like your style

OP posts:
justasking111 · 14/05/2019 14:16

Boss is this adults only bbq?

WeepingWillowWeepingWino · 14/05/2019 14:17

Splendid. We used to have neighbours who liked to BBQ at every single sign of sunshine (so just for dinner for themselves), and they parked their BBQ right beside their backdoor (despite having a 70 ft garden at their disposal) which was right under our bedroom window. A summer of our bedroom reeking of burnt meat, lovely!

BetterEatCheese · 14/05/2019 14:18

Fish cooked in foil
Lots of interesting salad
Love brioche buns
A hot dessert

Still18atheart · 14/05/2019 14:22

Unlimited Pimms
Plenty of seating
Lots of salads
Either disposable plates and cutlery or certainly anything that won’t break