Grilling for large crowds using your new Pembroke Pines outdoor kitchen can be a lot of fun-if you’re prepared. To make sure that your next large gathering goes as smoothly as possible and doesn’t end up costing you a fortune, we’ve gathered some tips and budget-friendly recipes ideas. These tips, tricks, and yummy dishes will ensure that you have enough time to kick back and enjoy some shade under your Tiki Hut without worrying about whether your guests need another drink or if your steaks are burning!
So let’s get to it!
Tips To make Grilling For a Large Crowd a Success
Choose Your Main Course Beforehand
Thrillist recommends choosing your main course wisely before throwing any large party where you may be grilling for 20 plus people on your outdoor grill in Pembroke Pines. Now, this doesn’t mean that you need to choose just one main course; you can select a couple of different options that have an appeal to the general masses such as hamburgers, grilled chicken, and hotdogs.
Create a Facebook Event, Group Email or Text For Your Party
This is an excellent tip for so many reasons. By creating a Facebook group, you will be able to get a good idea of everyone who is coming. People don’t usually RSVP anymore, but you can remain hopeful. You’ll also be able to find out ff there are any dietary restrictions in the group, and if you want to save money, make your grill-gathering potluck style, and have a running list of who is bringing what. Having a potluck style event is one of the easiest (and cheapest) ways to throw a party, as long as you can count on those people to show up.
Prepare Anything & Everything You Can Before The Party
Anything that you can do before your guests arrive, from putting up tables and chairs, decorations, cleaning your home and yard, preparing food dishes, etc., DO IT. Once your guests arrive, you’ll be either too busy grilling or taking care of your guests to worry about “little” things like, “why are there no cups for the drinks?”
Pro Tip: Have a marker on hand so guests can keep their cups all night long.
Don’t Forget To Have Fun
Whether you’re throwing an anniversary party, a big bash for the Super Bowl, or a friends’ birthday party, the most important thing you need to remember is to have fun! As cliche as it may seem, having fun at your own party is the key element that will help people decide if they want to go to another one of your “shindigs.” By being a gracious host, and cutting loose with your guests, your Pembroke Pines grilling party will be the talk of the town–until you throw the next one!
Now let’s get down to some of the best recipes you can serve at large parties that are both delicious and easy on the wallet.
Main Dishes For A Crowd
Grilled Chicken
With this grilled chicken recipe, you don’t have to worry about overcooking or burning the chicken. Slowly cook the chicken in an oven on low to keep it moist. Then right at the end, caramelize it on the grill before serving. Ta-Da!
Hot Dog and/or Burger Bar
If you’re serving up hot dogs and burgers on your Pembroke Pines outdoor kitchen, you can jazz it up by offering an array of condiments and toppings to go on the hot dogs and hamburgers. Of course, you’ll want the usual suspects, like ketchup, mustard, relish, pickles, and cheese. But try adding other not-so-common toppings such as bacon, avocado, sauteed mushrooms, caramelized onions, etc.
Veggie Kabobs
For our non-meat eaters or those or are wishing for something on the lighter side, veggie kabobs are a fun and simple way to feed a ton of people. Purchase veggies that are hardy and in season for the easiest and cheapest way to make Kabobs. Store-bought marinades work fine, or you can make your own!
Sides
A few super easy sides that will always be a hit at a Pembroke Pines BBQ are chips and dip, corn, and potato salad. We are sure that you have your own, passed-down, potato salad recipe or that friend that always makes the best potato salad, so we’ll go ahead and leave that recipe out of this list. But just so you know, it’s still a tasty standby and a real crowd-pleaser. For this list, we are adding a few side dishes that you don’t always see at BBQs, but are sure to become a new favorite of your friends and family.
Watermelon & Feta Skewers
These super easy skewers can be eaten with the meal or beforehand, plus they will look like you spent a bunch of time making them! Simply drizzle pomegranate molasses over skewered mint leaves, cubes of feta, a couple of cubes of watermelon, and basil for a refreshing gourmet dish that pairs well with everything.
Buffalo Chicken Pasta Salad
Served hot or cold, this make-ahead dish is a perfect side for a Super Bowl grill party or one you can take when you’re invited to a party. From Daily Dish Recipes, this tangy and spicy pasta salad will take any party you throw to the next level.
From FoodNetwork’s, Pioneer Woman herself, this layered salad is an excellent option for a bbq side, when you aren’t sure what to make.
Using a clear glass bowl (large) layer the ingredients for your salad, in the order they appear, here. Iceberg lettuce on the bottom, then tomato wedges, spinach, hard-boiled eggs, bacon, green onions, cheddar cheese, and finish with a healthy layer of peas.
Dessert: Grilled Fruit Bar
Last but not least is dessert! Now we are going to steer clear of your Aunt’s jellO and whip cream salad and go for something on the lighter side–namely grilling fruit on your outdoor grill Pembroke Pines! All grilled fruit needs is some ice cream and some toppings and Voila! You just made dessert for 20 or more people on your grill! All you have to do is supply the condiments and toppings (much like the burger and hot dog bar mentioned above). Here are some of our favorite fruits to grill along with a list of toppings you can add to the grilled fruit:
- Peaches
- Pineapple
- Bananas
- Cherries ( you may want to skewer these bad boys)
- Pears
- Grapefruit
- Mangoes
- Cantaloupe
- Chocolate, Caramel, and Strawberry Sauce
- Hot Fudge
- Marshmallows
- Chocolate chips
- Sprinkles
- Slivered almonds, peanuts, walnuts, etc.
- Whipped Cream
Well, there you have it, you’re all ready to grill for a large group, and hopefully, you’ll remember these tips, use these recipes, and have a whole lot of fun grilling on your Pembroke Pines outdoor kitchen!