What to Take to a BBQ

Going to a BBQ? Don’t show up empty-handed! Here is a comprehensive guide on everything you need to bring to a barbecue.

Introduction

Barbecues are a beloved summertime tradition. They’re all about gathering with friends and family, firing up the grill, and enjoying delicious food outdoors. But to ensure you’re the perfect BBQ guest, you need to know what to bring.

Showing up with a tasty dish, some key supplies, or an item that adds to the fun will make you a BBQ VIP. You don’t want to be the person who arrives empty-handed and leaves your host scrambling.

This guide covers all the BBQ basics. We’ll go over the ideal food and drinks to bring, plus extras like games, decor, and gifts for the host. With these tips, you’ll master what to take to a BBQ.

Food and Drinks

Food is the main event at any barbecue. Bringing one (or more) of these crowd-pleasing options means you’ll contribute something delicious to the party.

Appetizers

Arriving early to the BBQ? Bring an appetizer to nibble on before the grill is fired up. Some easy but impressive ideas:

Veggie tray – Chop up carrots, celery, cucumbers, peppers and any other favorites. Serve with ranch or hummus for dipping.
Fruit skewers – Assemble colorful skewers with melon, pineapple, grapes and berries.
Caprese skewers – Alternate cherry tomatoes, mozzarella balls and basil leaves on skewers. Drizzle with balsamic reduction.
Guacamole – Mash up avocados with lime juice, diced onions, tomatoes, cilantro and seasoning. Serve with tortilla chips.
Bruschetta – Top toasted bread with tomato, basil, olive oil and cheeses like parmesan or mozzarella.
Bacon-wrapped anything – Wrap pineapple chunks, dates, jalapeños or other bite-sized foods in bacon and grill or broil until crispy.

Salads and Sides

Salads and veggie sides are BBQ staples. Turn up with one of these crowd-pleasers:

Pasta salad – Toss pasta with chopped fresh veggies, cheese, herbs and a tangy dressing.
Potato salad – Mix diced potatoes with mayo, mustard, eggs, onions, celery and chopped pickles.
Coleslaw – Shred cabbage and carrots, then dress with mayo, vinegar, sugar and spices like caraway seeds.
Macaroni salad – Combine cooked macaroni with mayo, diced bell peppers and onions, shredded carrots and seasonings.
Baked beans – Jazz up canned baked beans with brown sugar, onion, bacon and barbecue sauce.
Collard greens – Sauté collard greens with olive oil and garlic. Sprinkle with red pepper flakes.
Cornbread – Bake up a pan of creamed corn mixed with flour, sugar, eggs, and buttermilk.
Watermelon feta salad – Toss cubed watermelon with feta cheese, mint, lime juice, and red onion.

Main Dishes

Offering to bring a main BBQ dish takes the pressure off the grill master. Some crowd-pleasing ideas:

BBQ chicken – Grill bone-in chicken pieces basted with your favorite barbecue sauce.
Ribs – Smoked baby back or St. Louis style ribs glazed with a sticky barbecue sauce.
Pulled pork – Shred smoked pork shoulder and serve on buns with coleslaw.
Burgers and dogs – Grilling up burgers and hot dogs is a classic option. Bring buns and all the fixings.
Kebabs – Assemble metal skewers with steak, chicken, shrimp, veggies, and fruit.
BBQ chicken pizza – Make pizza on the grill using pre-made dough, chicken, bell peppers, red onion, cilantro and barbecue sauce.
Grilled veggies – Marinate eggplant, zucchini, onions, mushrooms and other veggies before grilling.

Desserts

A sweet treat always tops off a BBQ perfectly. Some crowd-pleasing ideas:

Fruit pie – Bake an apple, cherry, peach, or other seasonal fruit pie. Top with ice cream if desired.
Cookies – Bake up chocolate chip, peanut butter, snickerdoodle or other popular cookie flavors.
Brownies – Make classic chocolate brownies and add nuts or chocolate chips for extra decadence.
Berry cobbler – Bake fresh berries under a sweet biscuit topping, like this easy peach cobbler recipe.
S’mores – Assemble graham crackers, chocolate bars, and toasted marshmallows for a campfire favorite.
Banana splits – Slice bananas onto plates and top with ice cream, chocolate sauce, whipped cream and nuts.
No-bake treats – Easy no-bake desserts include rice crispy bars, no-bake cheesecake and refrigerated cookie dough bars.

Drinks

Keeping guests hydrated is key. Offer to provide:

Water – Bring bottled water or a cooler full of ice and canned/bottled beverages.
Iced tea or lemonade – Sweet tea and lemonade are the perfect summer drinks. Make them from scratch or purchase ready-to-serve.
Sodas or juice – Have variety by bringing soda, juice boxes or pouches for the kids.
Beer and wine – Offer to supplement the host’s alcohol stash with extra beer, wine and coolers.
Cocktail ingredients – Bring everything needed for a signature cocktail, like margaritas, sangria or mojitos.
Marinated vegetables – Soak onion slices, peppers, carrots and other veggies in vinaigrette or Italian dressing to make refreshing cold side dishes.
Fruit juice – Muddle mint and lime juice into watermelon juice or puree berries into lemonade for homemade “spa water.”

BBQ Tools and Supplies

Make sure you bring any grill tools and supplies that the host may be short on. Some handy items to offer up include:

Grilling Utensils

Extra tongs
Grill spatula
Basting brush
Grill lighter or matches
Oven mitts or gloves
Skewers
Grill basket
Aluminum pans

Serving Supplies

Trash bags
Paper towels
Napkins
Plates
Cups
Plasticware
Serving platters
Serving tongs and spoons
Tablecloth

Fun Extras

Citronella candles – for ambiance and bug control
Sunscreen
Bug spray
Portable speakers – for music
Lawn games – bocce ball, cornhole, etc.
Inflatables – pool floats, water guns, etc. for kids

BBQ Activities and Games

Barbecues easily lend themselves to fun group activities for all ages. Offering to organize a game or group activity is a great way to contribute to the party.

Here are some ideas for activities to suggest:

Lawn Games

Get competitive with classic outdoor games like:

Cornhole toss
Ladder golf
Croquet
Horseshoes
KanJam

Group Games

Get the whole party involved in these energetic group games:

Potato sack races
Three-legged races
Water balloon toss
Tug of war
Limbo
Hula hoop contests

Kids Activities

Keep the youngsters entertained with:

Sidewalk chalk
Bubbles
Water guns/balloons
Scavenger hunt
Relay races
Jump rope contests

Backyard Sports

Stage a friendly basketball, volleyball, soccer or badminton tournament.

Board & Card Games

Pull out patio-safe games like:

Giant Jenga
Cornhole
Ladder ball
Bocce ball
Giant Connect Four
Cards Against Humanity

BBQ Decorations

Decorations always make a party feel more festive. Bring some red, white and blue embellishments to liven up the barbecue spot.

Ideas for BBQ Decor:

Bunting
Garlands
Streamers
Star-shaped balloons
Patriotic tablecloths
Sparklers
Themed napkins/plates
Mason jar centerpieces
American flags

Thank You Gift for the Host

It’s thoughtful to bring a small thank you gift or card for the BBQ host. Here are some ideas:

Bottle of wine
Craft beer
Fresh flowers
Scented candle
Soap gift set
Grilling cookbook or annual meat subscription
Homemade food item like bread or cookies
Handwritten thank you card

Conclusion

Attending a summer BBQ? Use this guide to make sure you contribute something useful and avoid showing up empty-handed.

Bringing food, supplies, activities or decor shows you’re an thoughtful guest eager to make the party a success. And don’t forget a thank you gift or card to express your gratitude to the host.

With these tips, you’ll be everyone’s favorite BBQ guest! Just remember to focus on bringing things that supplement the party rather than doubling up on what the host already has covered. This complete guide details all the best edible treats, tools, games and decor to make any barbecue you attend a hit.

Going to a BBQ and not sure what to bring? Here are some top tips for being the perfect BBQ guest:

Food and Drinks

Appetizers – Bring something easy like chips and guacamole or hummus and veggies.
Salads – Potato salad, pasta salad, and coleslaw are classic BBQ side dishes.
Desserts – Cookies, brownies, fruit pies are always welcome.
Drinks – Sodas, bottled water, beer, or wine. Maybe even a signature cocktail or mocktails.
Main dishes – Offer to bring burgers, hot dogs, chicken, or other grilled proteins.

Supplies

Bring extra plates, cups, utensils, napkins if needed.
Offer any items the host may be short on like a tablecloth, cooler, grill tools, trash bags, etc.
Bring sunscreen, bug spray, speakers for music, or games to share.

Gift for the Host

A small thank you gift is a nice gesture – flowers, wine, baked goods, gift card, etc.
At the very least, a handwritten thank you card!

The key is communicating with the host ahead of time to coordinate who’s bringing what and offer to fill in any gaps. Pitch in with food, drinks, supplies, activities, or decor to take something off the host’s long list of party preparations. Arrive ready to have fun and you’ll be a BBQ all-star!

Frequently Asked Questions

How early should I arrive at a BBQ?

If you’re bringing appetizers or sides, it’s courteous to arrive 15-30 minutes early to allow time to unload your dish and assist the host with any setup or prep. Otherwise, aiming for within 15 minutes of the party start time is ideal.

What should I bring to an informal BBQ?

For casual backyard BBQs, easy options like chips and dip, beer/wine, soda or bottled water, and store-bought desserts are perfect. Offering to bring burgers, hot dogs, or other grilled meats is also very helpful.

What should I bring to a potluck BBQ?

Check with the host on what food categories are needed – appetizers, entrees, sides, desserts, etc. Bring your best dish that fits an uncovered category. Also bring your own reusable plates, utensils, napkins, and serving utensils.

What is a good dish to bring to a BBQ?

Classic BBQ side dishes like potato salad, pasta salad, baked beans, coleslaw, cornbread, or watermelon are always welcome. Appetizers like veggies and dip, bruschetta, and bacon-wrapped goodies are also appreciated.

What should I not bring to a BBQ?

Don’t bring items the host already has covered unless they request it. Ask ahead to avoid doubling up. Also don’t just bring yourself – at least offer to contribute drinks, ice, chips, etc.

What do you bring to a BBQ for the host?

It’s thoughtful to give a small thank you gift to the host. Ideas include flowers, wine, a candle, baked goods, a grilling cookbook, or just a sincere thank you card.

So in summary, the perfect BBQ guest brings an offered contribution like food, supplies, or activities. They also give a small host gift or thank you card. Most importantly, they have fun and enjoy the party!