Just burgers isn’t enough

[Eamonnyoujoker]

Anyone else almost feel they’ve forgotten how to host?

Planning bbq this weekend for friends with a toddler (we have one too)
Am planning nice burgers (bit special ones from the butcher) with salad and homemade wedges I’m thinking? What else would you include at a bbq? Starters/chips and dips, cake for dessert? I feel like it’s been sooo long and need ideas to make it special

[bendmeoverbackwards]

I would say less is more actually.

We went to a neighbour's BBQ last summer. It was only adults so a bit different from your situation OP but I was struck by the simplicity of it. They did drinks, crisps and nibbles while the BBQ was heating up. Then they did this beautifully marinaded cubed chicken on the BBQ served with pitta bread and salad. And a nice dessert, can't remember what.

I was really struck by how easy it was and our hosts had time to chat to us rather than run themselves ragged. When we've hosted BBQs we've served way too many options that need different amounts of cooking, spent the whole time running between the table and the BBQ!

Nice burgers with salad and wedges sound lovely. Check if your guest's toddler would eat them, if not maybe add a couple of sausages as people have suggested.

You don't need starters, crisps and nibbles are fine. Keep it simple, will be much less stressful!

[dreamingbohemian]

@bendmeoverbackwards

I would say less is more actually.

We went to a neighbour's BBQ last summer. It was only adults so a bit different from your situation OP but I was struck by the simplicity of it. They did drinks, crisps and nibbles while the BBQ was heating up. Then they did this beautifully marinaded cubed chicken on the BBQ served with pitta bread and salad. And a nice dessert, can't remember what.

I was really struck by how easy it was and our hosts had time to chat to us rather than run themselves ragged. When we've hosted BBQs we've served way too many options that need different amounts of cooking, spent the whole time running between the table and the BBQ!

Nice burgers with salad and wedges sound lovely. Check if your guest's toddler would eat them, if not maybe add a couple of sausages as people have suggested.

You don't need starters, crisps and nibbles are fine. Keep it simple, will be much less stressful!

I agree with this completely. Especially if it's only your two families, you don't want to be organising so much food you can't just relax and chat. That's why I suggested just adding some sausages to the grill and some pre-made sides/nibbles.

It's a bit different if you have a big crowd but we're some ways away from that still.

[dreamingbohemian]

@MasterBeth well at least we agree on rice salad : )

[expectopelargonium]

With toddlers around I'd probably throw a few chicken nuggets in the oven too.

[SchrodingersImmigrant]

@bendmeoverbackwards

I would say less is more actually.

We went to a neighbour's BBQ last summer. It was only adults so a bit different from your situation OP but I was struck by the simplicity of it. They did drinks, crisps and nibbles while the BBQ was heating up. Then they did this beautifully marinaded cubed chicken on the BBQ served with pitta bread and salad. And a nice dessert, can't remember what.

I was really struck by how easy it was and our hosts had time to chat to us rather than run themselves ragged. When we've hosted BBQs we've served way too many options that need different amounts of cooking, spent the whole time running between the table and the BBQ!

Nice burgers with salad and wedges sound lovely. Check if your guest's toddler would eat them, if not maybe add a couple of sausages as people have suggested.

You don't need starters, crisps and nibbles are fine. Keep it simple, will be much less stressful!

Amen to that!

It's like hosting normal dinner. If you try to do too much it will jsut not be fun and something will absolutely go wrong.

[sadie9]

Some smoked salmon pate (either bought or make your own), hummus and maybe olives with some fancy crackers.
Banoffee Pie is very handy as you can do the caramel, banana and cream part all in one go at the last minute. The biscuit base only takes about half an hour to firm up in the fridge. Use the Nestle tin of Caramel but only use half the tin as it's sickly sweet. Then sprinkle a Flake over the top.

[Babyboomtastic]

Is it even a BBQ if you have only one type of meat? It's consider 3 at a minimum, and that's just for us, let alone guests.

Get a token salad if you want, but I'm not sure I've even been a to a BBQ where is been eaten. Even my vegetarian friends spurn it in favour of charred offerings.

[icdtap]

If everyone likes potato salad I would consider doing that instead of wedges so everything can be made in advance and you’re only concentrating on the bbq

I absolutely loathe and despise potato salad!

[icdtap]

To be more helpful than just saying I loathe and despise potato salad - keep it simple with just a couple of options and as there aren't too many people there you can just ask what people like.

[SchrodingersImmigrant]

Do people like have bbq once a month that they need so many types of meat?
Saturday lamb and chicken kebabs. Tuesday some streak. Thursday some fish.
No need to cook everything on one day. Spread the pleasure😁

[Zeldaaa]

Fruit, crisps, sausages, vegetable sticks and hummus, ice cream

Agree you don’t need a ton for just one family coming over.

[Sansaplans]

@SchrodingersImmigrant

Do people like have bbq once a month that they need so many types of meat?
Saturday lamb and chicken kebabs. Tuesday some streak. Thursday some fish.
No need to cook everything on one day. Spread the pleasure😁

Depends if having people over. My housemate used to cook on the BBQ every night in the summer, it was absolutely divine and a really nice way to spend the evenings. Now I can't be arsed haha, but yum!

[Canigooutyet]

Ribs, chops, steak, various chicken, salads, fish, seafood, veggie skewers, corn on the cob, those massive mushrooms, assortment of breads, various dips and sauces.

When I can be bothered doing a bbq I want lots of food. And if I've gone over the top left overs in the fridge or even frozen depending what it is.

I stopped going to other people's bbq as they only ever seem to do burgers and sausages. And those are so easy to do without the faff of lighting the thing. Plus I'm not a fan of either.

[WitchesBritchesPumpkinPants]

Have you checked the weather? It's supposed to be 5-7 deg & raining all weekend here!

What's your cooking & eating contingency plan?


Sausages in sliced bread with ketchup
Corn on the cob
Crisps N Dip beforehand

Camembert & dipping things

Bananas with chocolate inserted & cooked long & slow. 😋

[SchrodingersImmigrant]

Depends if having people over. My housemate used to cook on the BBQ every night in the summer, it was absolutely divine and a really nice way to spend the evenings. Now I can't be arsed haha, but yum!

The only thing stopping me from using it evwry day is the cleaning of it😂
I still do max 2 meats even when guests are here. Can't be arsed to make more. 😂

[Eesha]

Im also looking at the weather whilst my mouth is watering, looks miserable here in London!

[CurlyhairedAssassin]

I could take or leave burgers anyway. If we do a BBQ I always like some kind of chicken in a marinade plus sausages. The kids like burgers though.

[GlutenFreeGingerCake]

I agree with keeping it fairly simple but I would have 2 choices on the grill and having a more toddler friendly option is a good idea. Maybe some nice strawberries as a healthy option for dessert in case anyone is trying to get rid of some lockdown weight.

[GlutenFreeGingerCake]

Also I agree it might be hot chocolate and snowsuits weather.

[Canigooutyet]

Weather doesn't stop me. I've had bbq in the snow, wind and rain. It's what those massive brollies and thermals are invented for!! Even had it on Christmas day in the UK 😂 much to the amusement of my neighbours. Turkey meat tastes a lot better on the bbq than in the oven imo.

[SchrodingersImmigrant]

@Canigooutyet

Weather doesn't stop me. I've had bbq in the snow, wind and rain. It's what those massive brollies and thermals are invented for!! Even had it on Christmas day in the UK 😂 much to the amusement of my neighbours. Turkey meat tastes a lot better on the bbq than in the oven imo.

Same. Our grill doubles as oven for Christmas and season of grilling never really ends here😂

[Sansaplans]

@SchrodingersImmigrant

Depends if having people over. My housemate used to cook on the BBQ every night in the summer, it was absolutely divine and a really nice way to spend the evenings. Now I can't be arsed haha, but yum!

The only thing stopping me from using it evwry day is the cleaning of it😂
I still do max 2 meats even when guests are here. Can't be arsed to make more. 😂

In honesty it was a bit of 'the dried fat left on it adds to the flavour the next day' . Yes that's a good point, I usually leave DH to do it as he enjoys it so make the most of not having to bother. I'd probably stick with burnt bangers (why do they always burn) and a few burgers.

[SchrodingersImmigrant]

I'd probably stick with burnt bangers (why do they always burn) and a few burgers.
I keep hearing about burnt bangers. I never grilled any so thought it was just some joke😂

[Bluntness100]

Do a build your own burger/roll and sausage station,,,so

Different cheeses to go on top Ie Chedder, Stilton, Boursin, etc, different bread rolls, olive, cheese, tomato etc, different chutneys Ie onion or chilli etc, different flavoured mayos, different salad toppings, tomatoes, lettuce, cucumber, avocado, erc and do a big pot of fried onions too. Lay it all out so you can walk along and build your own.

Then some potato salad, coleslaw and some dressed salad available as sides.

[ColdTattyWaitingForSummer]

I often make simple chicken skewers if I’m going to a bbq.. diced chicken breast, peppers, cherry tomatoes, maybe courgette or mushrooms.. marinate in olive oil, garlic, salt, pepper, then assemble. Easy to do in advance as well. I’d grab a pack of veggie burgers just in case. Maybe ice lollies for the toddlers too.