How To Host The Perfect Cookout

Cookouts are a rich part of our culture; they’re an opportunity to get family and friends together for good times and good vibes. Hosting a cookout is seen as a really big thing in our community and comes with a lot of responsibilities. You don’t want to be known as the host that put on the worst cookout the world has ever seen! 

You’re bound to be nervous - especially if this is your first time. So, think of this post as a short guide to help you host a cookout that gets remembered for all the right reasons. Here’s what you should keep in mind: 

Good food is essential

Nobody wants to attend a cookout with plain and boring food. Even your typical BBQ foods could come under the “boring” category here! Burgers and hot dogs aren’t gonna cut it. Instead, you need things like smoky baby back ribs, grilled fish, grilled chicken, mac n cheese, fried plantain, seafood broil, and so much more. Honestly, there’s no such thing as too much food at a cookout. If you need some recipe inspiration, there’s a great article here with ideas. 

It’s also customary for guests to bring things to the cookout. So, one idea is to send out your invitations encouraging people to bring their own sides. You focus on the mains, and they’ll bring along some tasty extras. 

Make the most of your kitchen.

While the point of a cookout is to put your grilling skills to the test, this does not mean that your kitchen is useless during this time. In fact, there are many reasons why you should make the most of this space. For example, you could use your kitchen as a ‘food prep station’, which is a little more hygienic than prepping dishes outdoors. You can also ensure it keeps cool by popping it in the fridge until you’re ready to eat.

In addition to this, you can use your oven or other appliances to make delicious sides or alternative dishes to whatever you’re cooking up on the grill. This can help you to avoid overcrowding the grill while ensuring there’s something for everyone to enjoy on the table. Fortunately, this does not mean you must sacrifice even more of your time to cooking, as you could simply reheat frozen Mexican food or other crowd-pleasing dishes from Ajinomoto to serve your happy (and hungry) guests! Not only is this easy to prepare, but it also tastes great.

Make your garden fit for a cookout

Obviously, the cookout takes place in your garden. As such, you need to ensure your outdoor space is ready for the event. It may require a bit of maintenance, possibly with the help of an expert lawn service to get the grass nice and evenly green. 

Ideally, you want to create a nice clear space to host things. This gives you the chance to set up the grill, along with tables to place all the food. Some outdoor chairs can be situated around the place too, but you want an open area to play games, dance to music, and just encourage good vibes in general. 

Create positive feelings

The whole purpose of a cookout is to create positive feelings and have a good time. This is why your guest list is so important. Family members will be on there, but check that people actually get on. Especially if you’re inviting other members of the community/your friends. The last thing you want is for arguments to break out, ruining the whole vibe. 

Again, this is also why preparing your garden and getting the right food prepared is essential. Good food always keeps everyone happy, while a wide range of games entertains the masses. It’s also a good idea to set up some speakers connected to a Spotify account. Create a cookout playlist or let everyone have a chance to play their favorite tunes, developing a real party atmosphere. 

Your first cookout can seem intimidating, but there’s nothing to worry about. Keep the above tips in mind and you’ll be on course for an event that everyone raves about.