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Grilling for a crowd can be a fun and rewarding experience. Whether you’re hosting a backyard barbecue or a larger gathering, here are some proven tips to help you successfully grill for a crowd!
Plan your menu
Start by planning your menu in advance. Consider the number of guests and their dietary needs (if any). I like to choose a couple variety of meats, poultry, seafood, and vegetarian options to cater to different tastes. I also urge you to keep it simple! Choose recipes that are easy to prepare and grill. Stick to tried-and-tested crowd favorites like burgers, hot dogs, kebabs, and grilled vegetables.
Prepare ahead
Chop vegetables, make sauces, and marinate meats the day before if possible. This will save you time on the day of the event and allow the flavors to develop. Set up a designated grilling station with all the necessary utensils, foil, plates, and serving platters within easy reach. Make sure you have enough charcoal, propane, or whatever fuel you’re using.
Offer variety of side dishes
Offer a selection of buns, bread, and wraps for sandwiches or sliders. Include a variety of salads, sides, and desserts to complement the grilled dishes. Some popular options include coleslaw, baked beans, cornbread, macaroni and cheese, grilled vegetables, potato salad, corn on the cob, and fresh salads. Don’t forget to provide a range of sauces, such as BBQ sauce, hot sauce, and mustard, for guests to choose from too!
Calculate quantities
Estimate the amount of food you’ll need for the crowd. Generally, plan on about 1/2 to 1 pound of meat per person. Adjust this estimate based on the appetites of your guests and the variety of side dishes you’re serving. A child isn’t going to eat as much as an adult, and if you have 10 side dishes most people will eat less meat to allow enough “room” to try everything else too!
Multiple grills or batches
If you have a large crowd, consider using multiple grills or grilling in batches. This will help you cook the food more efficiently and ensure everything is ready at the same time. Start grilling early to allow enough time to cook everything thoroughly. As each batch finishes cooking, transfer the cooked meat to a something to keep it warm while you continue grilling. (see next suggestion)
Keep your hot food hot
When you are grilling large quantities of food you need to keep it warm for an extended period you will need to get creative! Here are a few ways to keep everything warm for your guests:
- Use an insulated cooler. Line the cooler with towels or aluminum foil, then place the grilled items inside. This works great for corn on the cob! Make sure to keep the cooler closed as much as possible to maintain the temperature.
- Warm up the serving plates in an oven or by rinsing them with hot water before transferring the grilled food onto them. This will help keep the food warmer for longer once it’s served.
- Use your grills warming rack. After grilling the food, move it to the top warming rack. This allows the food to stay warm without overcooking. Keep the grill lid closed to retain heat.
- Wrap the grilled food tightly in aluminum foil immediately after cooking. This will help retain heat and moisture. You can then place the foil-wrapped items in a warm oven (set to a low temperature, around 200°F or 93°C) until ready to serve.
- Utilizing chafing dishes, warming trays, and crockpots is easiest (and easiest is always my favorite method!) Transfer the grilled food to the chafing dishes, warming trays, or crockpot after cooking, and adjust the heat settings to maintain warmth. Consider placing meats in a warm broth (usually beef) base to prevent it from drying out as well.
Keep your cold food cold
When hosting a party it’s essential to keep perishable items cold to maintain their freshness and ensure food safety. The last thing we need is your potato salad going bad and everyone getting food poisoning because of it! Here are some effective methods to keep displayed food cold at your party:
- Use chilled serving platters or trays to keep the food cold. These platters can be pre-chilled in the refrigerator or freezer before placing the food on them. They help to maintain a lower temperature for a longer period.
- Ice trays or bowls. Fill large, shallow trays, or bowls with ice or reusable ice packs. Place the food containers on top. This provides a cooling base for the food and helps to keep it at a safe temperature. Make sure to elevate the containers slightly to prevent them from sitting directly on the melting ice.
- Aluminum pans with ice. If you have larger food items or multiple dishes to display, consider using aluminum pans filled with water and then frozen over night. Place the food containers on top of the ice in the pans to keep them cold. Ensure that the pans are deep enough to hold an adequate amount of ice.
- Keep food in the refrigerator or cooler. If possible, keep the displayed food in a refrigerator or a cooler until it’s ready to be served.
- Avoid direct sunlight. Always position the food display area out of direct sunlight. Sunlight obviously quickly warms up food, so choose a shaded location, and use umbrellas or canopies to provide shade if serving food outdoors.
- Serve smaller portions. Consider serving food in smaller portions and replenishing them as needed. This helps to ensure that only a small amount of food is exposed to room temperature at any given time. Might be more work but ensures all your guests will get the freshest servings no matter what time they arrive and eat!
- Most importantly- limit the time that perishable food items are left out! Depending on the temperature and type of food, it’s generally recommended to discard perishable items that have been sitting out for more than two hours to prevent the risk of foodborne illnesses. Err on the side of caution- when in doubt throw it out!
Beverage and dessert options
Provide a selection of cold beverages like lemonade, iced tea, soda, and water. For dessert, consider serving classic options like fruit salad, cobblers, cookies or pies. You can also set up a s’mores station for a fun and interactive treat!
Seating and serving set up
Ensure you have enough seating and serving space for your all your guests to be comfortable. I prefer to set up buffet-style serving stations with clear labels for each dish. This allows for easy access to all food as well as one set area to clean up afterwards!
Enjoy the day! Grilling for a crowd can be hectic, but don’t forget to have fun! Interact with your guests, share your BBQ tips, tend to the grill with confidence, and savor the experience of bringing your village together with delicious food!
