America has plenty of traditions, rituals, and nuances that may not always be official but they still mean a lot to many. Forget the calendar, summer begins when the Memorial Day BBQ starts. Anyone planning on sifting through BBQ ideas for Memorial Day or who has hosted before knows that there are a lot of things to consider for both you and your guests. Here are five great tips to help you get the most out of your party while stressing less in the process.
1. Edit Your Memorial Day BBQ Ideas
Self-editing your Memorial Day BBQ is a great place to start because it’s easy to have too many ideas come crashing down, ruining them all at once.
Rather than focusing on many different recipes, games, or events, hone in on the best of the best and execute them well.
Instead of having a mediocre spread with a lot of options, focus on flavorful, easily executable Memorial Day BBQ recipes that fit your time, ability, and budget.
2. Ask for Help Executing the Memorial Day BBQ Menu
As the saying goes, “Teamwork makes the dream work” and if you’re putting together a party, it’s ok to ask for help.
When it comes to cooking, of course, you have to choose wisely, as you want to ensure everyone has a good meal and a good time.
However, there are a ton of Memorial Day BBQ side dishes available ranging from baked beans, to fruit salads, to grilled veggies, and so much more.
Since there are diverse options available, you can typically find someone to execute a specialty dish that everyone will love packed full of flavor from that respective person’s wheelhouse.
Additionally, if you have a loved one attending who loves to bake, reach out about getting them to help on dessert duty.
3. Prep a Day or Two Before
Taking care of the recipes for Memorial Day BBQ can be a lot of work as mentioned above, but if you take the time to prep earlier in the week, you can enjoy the fruits of your labor without rushing to make sure everything is done.
Depending on the dish, you may be able to prep ingredients or the entire thing a day or two beforehand and then simply pop it in the oven when it’s time to cook.
Also, seasoning and marinating your meat overnight is an easy way to impart flavor, improve tenderness, and enhance the overall experience. You can find plenty of grilling marinades online.
4. Plan Your Event (But Have a Backup Too)
Ideally, your Memorial Day BBQ is going to go on without a hitch; however, there are a lot of variables when throwing a party. So, it’s best to be prepared.
From overcooking the burgers by accident to dealing with Mother Nature, if you are hosting, it’s a good idea to plan the event but also have options when you need to call an audible.
For example, if you are expecting a typical hot summer day by the pool, be sure to also have options for indoor activities, such as cards or games, in the event that rain forces you to pivot.
Particularly for children, it’s always a good idea to have multiple event plans to avoid the possibility of boredom leading to mischief when you’re just trying to enjoy the day.
5. Don’t Forget to Honor Those Who Have Made Your Memorial Day BBQ Possible
Ultimately, your event wouldn’t be possible without the sacrifice of those who served and gave their all for our freedoms.
Your event is going to be made even better by taking some time to honor that sacrifice and give thanks to those who put themselves in harm’s way.
If you have friends or family who may be alone during this time and have lost someone who served, reach out and welcome them to your Memorial Day BBQ, or stop by and bring them a plate to let them know they’re in your thoughts.
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