Memorial Day BBQ Bash: Hosting the Ultimate Grill-out
The unofficial kickoff of summer is just around the corner. We’re talking, of course, about Memorial Day. If you’re planning to invite friends over the holiday, here are a few pointers to make sure your backyard party is a total smash.
Prep Your Backyard Right
Sure, people will head indoors if the weather is bad or to use the restroom, but most of the action will take place outside, so making sure your yard looks sharp is key.
At least a day or two before the party, make sure you check off these backyard chores:
Mow the grass
Sweep the patio
Clean your grill area
If you have a pool, make sure it’s clean, and any chemicals have had time to dilute.
Diversify Your Menu
We’ll get to the hot dogs in a minute, but any good Memorial Day party needs to have an array of food. You’ll want to have finger foods that are easy to eat without a fork, as well as classic picnic foods that people expect. And don’t forget about having something for the kiddos and picky eaters.
Appetizer ideas:
Chive and cucumber dip and chips
Pimento cheese mini sandwiches
Cherry tomato caprese salad
Bacon-wrapped cream cheese jalapenos
Deviled eggs
Side dishes:
Red, white, and blue salad (watermelon, blueberries, mini marshmallows)
Baked beans
Strawberry spinach salad
Broccoli cornbread casserole
Coleslaw
Desserts:
Fruit and chocolate dip
S’mores
Apple pie cupcakes
Red, white, and blue cheesecake bars
Get Your Grill On
While everybody loves tasty appetizers and side dishes, the party people are really looking forward to the main event – the grill.
As mentioned, make sure your grill is cleaned before your guests arrive, and whether you’re a charcoal or propane kinda person, be sure to have plenty of fuel.
Now, when it comes to what to grill, there’s nothing wrong with a few plain Jane burgers and hot dogs, but if you want to host the ultimate grill-out, then you’ll need to mix things up. Throw some of these mouth-watering items on the grill, and you’ll have guests lining up for seconds in no time!
The meats:
Jerk chicken kabobs
Beer brats
Teriyaki shrimp skewers
Mojito lime skirt steak
Bourbon-glazed ribs
Lobster tails
The fruits and veggies
Chili-lime corn
Chimichurri eggplant
Balsalmic portobello mushrooms
Buffalo Cauliflower kabobs
Peaches with honey-glaze
Teriyaki pineapple
A Fun Atmosphere is Everything
Because Memorial Day is a patriotic holiday, you can never go wrong with a red, white, and blue theme. Streamers, table runners, balloons, and tiki torches – all of it will help create a fun and festive atmosphere that welcomes guests the moment they arrive.
From cornhole and giant Jenga to croquet and a slip-on slide, no backyard party is complete without yard games. Not only will these games help keep the kiddos entertained, but they’ll also provide the perfect icebreaker for guests who may not know each other.
It’s only natural to want to invite friends and family over to your home when you love where you live. To learn more about the master-planned Crosswinds community, contact us today.