Summer is here! Why not celebrate by throwing a simple summer backyard BBQ? Here’s my easy summer barbeque menu!
It is finally Summer! It’s thyme to invite your friends & family over for a simple Summer backyard BBQ! Let me share a few of my favorite easy menu items!
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My Favorite Simple Summer Barbeque Menu
What could be simpler than hot dogs? If your family doesn’t care for hot dogs, you can substitute grilled brats or even hamburgers! My favorite easy to prepare side dishes include potato salad, macaroni salad, a delicious layered Jello salad, and grilled corn on the cob. For a festive dessert, I love to carve a watermelon into a basket and fill it with fresh fruit!
To quench your guests thirst, why not offer refreshing Lavender lemonade & herbal iced tea!
Let’s get started!
Simple Side Dishes
Simple Summer Side Dishes
A trio of summer salad recipes
An easy to make potato salad with a secret way to increase the flavor!
Southern Macaroni Salad Prepare the delicious macaroni salad the day before the event to allow the flavors to blend
An easy to prepare layered Jello salad
Grilled Corn on the Cob with Honey Butter Sauce
This recipe is perfect for any summertime gathering. You can grill corn on the cob right before serving so it stays warm and juicy. After shucking the corn, simply place the ears of corn directly on the grill. Turn the ears every 2 minutes until the kernels soften and become lightly browned. Total grill times will be about 10 minutes. If the corn starts to char before the kernels are soft, move the corn to the cooler side of the grill and close the lid to allow additional cooking. Once the corn is done, remove the ears from the grill. Then drizzle honey butter sauce over each ear of corn and serve immediately
A Watermelon Basket filled with Fresh Fruit
A simple fruit salad can be prepared with assorted fresh fruits including watermelon, strawberries, bananas and grapes. This is a refreshing addition to your Simple Summer Backyard Barbeque Menu!
For a festive touch, I love to turn the watermelon into a decorative basket and serve the fruit salad from the basket. Here’s how I make it!
All you need is a sharp knife, cutting board and a garnishing utensil that will make the V shaped cuts.
Things to Know-
- Before cutting into the watermelon, wash the outer surface thoroughly with cool tap water to remove any dirt. You don’t need to use any soap on it, simply scrub the outside with a clean produce brush.
- Be sure to also wash all food-contact equipment including cutting boards, knives, and garnishing tools thoroughly with hot soapy water and rinse well. Use a food safe , no rinse sanitizing spray and allow to air dry. Be sure to read the directions on any sanitizing spray.
Let’s Make the Basket
- In order for the watermelon to sit flat, use a sharp knife to cut a thin slice off of the bottom of the melon.
- Draw a horizontal line around the center of the melon using the point of the knife. To make the handle, draw two vertical lines approximately three inches apart over the top of the melon. The handle should be centered over the top of the melon. To help mark your cutting lines, you can use masking tape or painters tape.
- Now you are ready to start cutting using the V Shaped cutter. Place the V shaped cutter where the horizontal line touches the line for the handle. Push the cutter into the melon. Make a second cut next to the first cut. You want to be sure your cuts are connecting. Work your way around the melon, away from the “handle” continuing to make cuts. Be sure to push into the melon so that you are cutting through the rind.
- Continue around the melon until you reach the marking for the handle in the back of the melon. Take the cutter and make cuts up and along the edge of the handle. Repeat this process until you have worked your way all the way around the melon and the handle.
- Once you have finished with your cutting, now you will work one of the sections loose from the handle area.
- Carefully lift off the side pieces. Remove fruit from both sections and cut into balls.
- Once all the watermelon is removed, wrap the watermelon basket in plastic wrap and chill until you are ready to fill it with mixed fruit.
- When it is time for the party, fill the basket with a mixed fruit salad. Enjoy!
Tableware
Now that we have the menu figured out, we need a few decorations & tableware to round out our celebration!
If you have been following me for a bit, you know that my Mom liked a lot of things. And she kept most of them! She loved to decorate her tables for the various holidays. She had several different sets of dishes and lots of different things to use as centerpieces. She loved to decorate with the American Flag and other red, white and blue items. I think I may have inherited my decorating gene from her!
One of the cutest things I found when I was going thru her things was this adorable California Farmhouse relish set! I love to use it when we have a cookout! Isn’t it just the cutest thing?
To keep things simple for this celebration, I decided to use the place mats and tableware that I used for a Summer celebration we had one summer. All of the details can be found here: How to Create A Simple Summer Tablescape
Using paper & plastic will make the clean up super quick & easy as well!
For Even More Ideas:
One of my dear friends has the most stunning outdoor area. She has some great tips to share about hosting a fabulous outdoor dinner party!
Now I think it is thyme to sit back & relax!
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Great summer food ideas!
Thank you , Susan!
What an excellent compilation, I especially love the watermelon basket. I will use it on July 1, for our Canada Day and my my husband’s birthday celebrations. Thank you for sharing. Pinned.
I visited you via Summer at All About Home #199
If interested feel free to visit my entries for this week: #106+107 as I would love to invite you to come and share your posts and you will have an opportunity to get featured.
We’re open Monday through Saturday every week.
You will find the linkup information (1) In the Top bar under Blogging: Weekly Senior Salon Pit Stop OR 2nd image In the sidebar
We hope to meet you there virtually.
Thank you , Esme! I will go visit the Senior Salon PIt Stop in just a little bit! Happy early birthday to your husband!
The potato salad, corn, and watermelon basket all look good!! Love the denim placemats and sunflower plates!! By the way, I found your post at a party and wanted to let you know that I host parties too. Won’t you drop by and linkup with me?
Thanks for stopping by, Dee! I would love to link up at your party! Those denim placemats are adorable, aren’t they? Have a happy Summer!
Your Southern Macaroni Salad looks so delicious. I love macaroni. And I also love antiques! 😉
Thank you so much!