Barbecues are a staple of summertime fun. When you receive an invitation to a barbecue, part of the preparation is deciding what food or drink you’ll bring to share. With so many options, it can be tricky to settle on just one or two items from the diverse array of barbecue classics and creative recipes. This guide will explore all the delicious possibilities to help you wow the crowd with your contribution.
Appetizers and Snacks
Arriving with a tray of ready-to-eat appetizers is a sure way to be welcomed by hungry guests. These morsels provide a tasty way to kick off the party while the grill heats up.
Chips and Dips
You can keep it simple with a tub of your favorite tortilla chips and hearty homemade salsa, guacamole, or bean dip. However, you can also get creative with flavored chips and a specialty dip featuring ingredients like bacon, caramelized onions, or roasted garlic. Play around with unexpected combinations to find a delicious match.
Veggie Platters
Fresh vegetables like carrots, celery, tomatoes, broccoli, and cauliflower arranged on a platter make for a lighter and healthier appetizer option. Accompany them with a creamy ranch or a seasoned hummus for dipping. You can also skewer grape tomatoes, cheese cubes, and olives for easy veggie kabobs kids will love.
Deviled Eggs
These picnic classics are endlessly versatile. The filling can be infused with anything from paprika to truffle oil for a unique twist on the traditional deviled egg. Topping them off with crispy bacon or caviar takes them to gourmet status.
Meat and Cheese Boards
A hearty meat and cheese board is always a hit in place of chips and dip. Pick a selection of quality sliced deli meats like salami, prosciutto, and soppressata along with an assortment of cheeses like cheddar, brie, and manchego. Arrange them attractively with olives, nuts, dried fruits, and artisanal crackers or baguette slices.
Bacon-Wrapped Foods
Almost anything tastes better wrapped in crispy bacon! Chicken bites, shrimp, smoked sausages, water chestnuts, and cheese cubes all make ideal morsels to cradle in a slice of bacon and cook until perfectly browned. Skewers help keep them together on the grill.
BBQ Nachos
Individual bags of corn chips layered with thawed pulled pork or shredded chicken, cheese, beans, salsa, guacamole, and sour cream will disappear fast. Build them straight out of the bag for easy serving.
Salads and Sides
While they don’t steal the spotlight from the smoky barbecue main courses, salads and side dishes are still important additions. They provide lighter options to balance out all the grilled meat.
Caprese Salad
This refreshing salad stacks sliced fresh mozzarella, juicy tomatoes, and fragrant basil leaves, then drizzles them with olive oil and balsamic vinegar. It captures the essence of summer with just a few simple ingredients.
Potato Salad
Creamy with a bit of crunch, potato salad is a classic companion for barbecue fare. While traditional versions use mayo, you can also try oil and vinegar-based potato salads for a tangy twist. Adding crumbled bacon or scallions adds extra flavor.
Macaroni Salad
Chilled pasta salads like macaroni make portable potluck options. Toss the cooked macaroni with a blend of mayo and Greek yogurt for added creaminess, then mix in crunchy vegetables like bell peppers, celery, and red onion. Consider unconventional additions like curry powder, pesto, or chipotle seasoning for some zip.
Coleslaw
With its cool crunch, coleslaw balances the heat of barbecue seasonings. For your own spin, use unique vinaigrettes in place of mayo, or stir in ingredients like grated ginger, cranberries, pineapple, or jicama for some sweetness.
Baked Beans
No barbecue would be complete without a big pot of saucy baked beans simmered to perfection. Infuse yours with bacon, bourbon, coffee, or other unexpected flavors. Homemade beats canned any day.
Corn on the Cob
Fresh sweet corn is in peak season during barbecue months. Boil or grill it and provide lots of melted butter for slathering. For Mediterranean flair, coat grilled corn with feta cheese and lime juice.
Grilled Vegetables
Get your veggie fix with grilled favorites like zucchini, eggplant, bell peppers, mushrooms, tomatoes, and asparagus brushed with olive oil and seasoned. They develop delicious charred bits on the grill.
Watermelon and Fruit Salads
Juicy watermelon wedges and fruit salads made with berries, mango, pineapple, grapes, and citrus provide fresh relief from heavier barbecue dishes. They also make great kabobs alternated with the grilled veggies.
Desserts
You can’t go wrong bringing a sweet treat to share. Barbecue spreads tend to involve multiple desserts as guests splurge on their favorites.
Cookies
Carefully packed cookies that can withstand transport are always appreciated. Go with classic flavors like chocolate chip, oatmeal raisin, peanut butter, or sugar – or get creative with fun additions like coconut, toffee, cinnamon, or lemon.
Brownies and Blondies
Rich, fudgy brownies and chewy blondies (brownies made with brown sugar instead of chocolate) are sure to get gobbled up fast. Jazz them up with chocolate chunks, butterscotch chips, caramel swirls, mint, peanut butter cups, or other mixins.
Fruit Crisps and Cobblers
Warm fruit-based desserts are irresistible topped with a streusel crumble or buttery biscuit crust. Peach, berry, cherry, and apple are all fantastic options. Transport the fruit mixture and topping separately, then assemble and bake on-site.
Pies and Tarts
A homemade pie or mini tart can serve as the grand finale for a barbecue feast. opt for seasonal fillings like strawberry rhubarb or blueberry in the summer. Transport pies carefully with plenty of cushioning to keep the crust intact.
S’mores Bar
Set out all the fixings for DIY s’mores, from marshmallows, chocolate bars, and graham crackers to fun additions like peanut butter cups, toffee, caramel, nuts, cookies, and candy sprinkles. Let guests get creative with their campfire treat combos.
Ice Cream and Popsicles
Cool down with individual servings of ice cream or gourmet popsicles in an array of fruity flavors. Set up a sundae bar with toppings so guests can build their own.
Beverages
The beverage options at a barbecue can range from sodas and lemonade to boozy cocktails and spiked punches. Consider what will pair well with the spread.
Iced Tea and Lemonade
A chilled citrus punch or sweet tea is easy to transport in large dispensers. Play with fun infusions like fruit purees or herb simple syrups to jazz them up. Provide a variety of sweeteners like white and raw sugar or agave nectar.
Sangria and Punches
For adults, a fruity sangria or tropical rum punch offers festive refreshment. Mix up a big batch and serve it from a drink dispenser so guests can help themselves. Garnish with sliced fruit.
Beer and Wine
Providing beer, both bottled and on tap, is always a safe bet for pleasing a barbecue crowd. Go for crowd-pleasers like IPAs, lagers, and pilsners. For wine, pick ones that pair well with smoky flavors, like zinfandel, cabernet sauvignon, and chardonnay.
Specialty Cocktails
Shaking up a custom cocktail for guests adds a nice touch. Research recipes featuring summertime flavors like muddled berries, citrus, cucumber, watermelon, or fresh herbs like mint, basil, and rosemary. Pitchers keep cocktails cold and easy to serve.
Non-Alcoholic Drinks
Cater to sober guests and families with kids by providing cans of soda, sparkling water, bottled iced tea, and other kid-friendly beverages. Make fun mocktails for teens by mixing fruit juices with ginger beer, mint, and sparkling water garnishes.
Coffee and Tea
Coffee and hot tea make nice finisher drinks with dessert once the sun goes down and the temperature dips. Offer cream, milk, and sweeteners on the side. Iced options are also refreshing.
Grilling Equipment and Serving Dishes
Don’t forget the extras needed to serve and enjoy the delicious food at a barbecue!
- Platters, trays, and tiered serving dishes for appetizers, sides, and desserts
- Clear containers with lids for transporting salads, dips, fruit, etc.
- Bowls for chips, nuts, candy, and other finger foods
- Skewers and grilling baskets for kabobs and veggies
- Serving spoons and tongs
- Beverage dispensers, pitchers, and cups
- Plates, napkins, cutlery, and wet wipes
- Tablecloths, serving tables, or folding chairs if needed
Summary
When getting ready for a barbecue, keep it fun and decide what you feel most excited about making. Chances are your enthusiasm will come through with whatever dish you bring, whether it’s a fabulous dessert, signature cocktail, or creative side. The main goals are showing your generosity by contributing something tasty, and having a good time connecting with friends, family, and neighbors over delicious food and drinks.
What Should I Bring to a BBQ? FAQs
Barbecues are bountiful spreads of smoky meats, salads, and desserts shared among friends. With so many possibilities, deciding what dish to contribute can be tough. Here are answers to some frequently asked questions to help you figure out the ideal options to bring to a barbecue potluck or party:
Should I bring an appetizer, side, or dessert to a BBQ?
All are great options! Appetizers work well for kickstarting the event before the grilled main courses are ready. Hearty dips with chips, crackers, or veggies are easy to transport. Sides complement the grilled meat entrées. Salads, pasta salads, baked beans, coleslaw, and grilled veggies are classics. Desserts like cookies, pies, and brownies make sweet finishes.
What are some easy appetizers to take to a BBQ?
For no-fuss appetizers, you can pick up a tray of fresh fruit, cheese cubes, or grilled vegetable skewers from the grocery store deli counter. Or put together your own platter of chips and salsa, hummus, or bean dip. Bacon-wrapped bites, deviled eggs, and skewers of olives, cheese, and grapes are also simple but impressive.
What are good salad options for BBQ potlucks?
Pasta salads, green salads, and slaws travel well for barbecue meals. Try fun additions like stone fruits, avocado, nuts, or quinoa in green salads. Macaroni salad loves mix-ins like bell peppers, hard boiled eggs, tuna, or pesto. For slaws, use unique dressings and stir in fruits or veggies for crunch. Potato salad is great too.
What kind of sides go well with BBQ?
In addition to salads, classics like baked beans, corn on the cob, and cornbread are natural pairings. Grilled vegetables like zucchini, eggplant, and bell peppers are delicious. And don’t overlook fresh watermelon slices or fruit kabobs as lighter options.
What are easy desserts to make for a BBQ?
Cookies, brownies, and rice Krispie treats are simple sweet treats perfect for barbecues. Fruit crisps and cobblers also come together quickly. You can assemble fruit pie fillings ahead of time and bake the pie crust on site. Handheld options like cake pops, strawberry lemonade bars, and pecan turtle cookies make great dessert additions too.
What drinks should I take to a BBQ party?
Beverages are key! Iced tea, lemonade, soda, beer, and wine are standard options. You can also mix up a fun summery sangria or fruit punch. And don’t forget the coffee and hot tea as the evening winds down. Providing a selection ensures all preferences are covered.
What should I pack barbecue food in for transport?
Use sealable plastic containers, aluminum foil pans, plastic wrap, storage bags, and insulated coolers to transport barbecue items. Sturdy platters, bowls, pitchers, and serving utensils make serving a breeze. And don’t forget napkins, wet wipes, and disposable plates and cutlery!
How do I keep hot food hot and cold food cold at a BBQ?
Pack hot foods in insulated containers preheated with hot water. Wrap in towels and newspaper for extra insulation. Cold foods should be kept in coolers with several ice packs until ready to serve. Avoid opening coolers repeatedly so the interior temperature remains stable.
What is a good dish to bring to a BBQ to impress?
You can impress with gourmet finishes like a prosciutto-wrapped asparagus appetizer, lobster mac and cheese, or espresso-rubbed tri tip. Presentation also wows, so artfully arrange foods on pretty platters. Hearty dips in hollowed-out bread bowls and tiered dessert trays make grand statements. And don’t forget table decor!
Conclusion
Deciding what to bring to a barbecue potluck comes down to considering the flavors that pair well with smoky grill fare and other dishes guests may contribute. Comfort foods, fresh produce, and sweet treats are always welcome. Keep transportation, serving needs, and food safety in mind too. Most importantly, choose a recipe you’re excited about so your enthusiasm and generosity of spirit shine through!