Planning a big barbeque for the summer is an amazing opportunity to enjoy the sun, invite your family round and relax whilst sharing laughter with those you love. As the kids finish school for the year and we relish in those longer days, a BBQ is the only way to celebrate the weekend (or a sunny evening).

Whether this is your first time hosting or you’re a seasoned grill master, there’s always something we forget!

So, from sending out the invites to choosing the correct fuel for the barbeque, here’s our BBQ Checklist, for ultimate summer fun!

Set your expectations for the day and decide how many people you’d like to invite. It doesn’t have to be a big occasion, you might only have your kids and grandkids in mind (especially if it’s a “Let’s see what the weather says” event). But if you have something to celebrate, like a summer birthday, a new engagement or even a gender reveal, your guest list might be a little bigger!

• Choose a date (and because this is Britain, a back-up date for when it rains).
• Send out your invitations, either as a message in the group-chat or something more formal and handwritten.
• Prepare for a classic barbeque or find something new to cook-up (maybe like our summertime sausage roll).
• Inform your neighbours of any noise (or invite them round).
• Find enough seating (whether as camping chairs or blankets on the ground).
• Get yourself something for cover (in case of rain).

Consider the space you have to host, how you’d like to decorate, what music should be played and if there’s anything needed to keep the little ones entertained.

Most importantly… you need to plan the food shop.

1. Meat

Decide on the meat you’re wanting to grill up. From the classics, such as burgers and sausages, to a selection of chicken, to something a little extra, like fish or steak.

Be sure to have something on offer for your vegetarian and vegan relatives, with meat-free options.

2. Vegetables & Salads

Prepare lots of delicious salads for your guests to tuck into, including chopped up lettuce, cucumbers and pickles for the burgers. Roasted veg is a taste sensation, so stock up on peppers and onions for chicken skewers, and even some corn on the cobs to chuck over the fire.

3. Drinks

Serve lots of beverage options, from water to avoid dehydration from the sun to something a little boozier for the adults. You could even try your hand at our cocktails. The kids will always appreciate the fizzy drinks… but cordial and juices might help with those sugar-rushes. Check out our Garden Party Lemonade recipe.

Meat

• Burger Patties
• Sausages / Hot Dogs
• Chicken Skewers / Thighs / Drumsticks
• Pork Ribs
• Lamb Chops
• Steaks
• Bacon
• Fish Fillets

Veggies

• Bell Peppers
• Onions
• Tomatoes
• Mushrooms
• Corn on the Cob
• Aubergine
• Sweet Potatoes
• Lettuce
• Cucumber
• Pickles

Side Dishes

• Burger Buns & Hotdogs Buns
• Potato Salad
• Coleslaw
• Pasta Salad
• Green Salad
• Halloumi / Cheese

Dips, Sauces & Condiments

• Ketchup, Mayo, Mustard & BBQ sauce
• Hummus, Tzatziki, Salsa & Guacamole
• Sriracha & Hot Sauce

Extra Nibbles

• Crisps
• Olives, Antipasti
• Sausage rolls & Cocktail Sausages
• Scotch Eggs
• Carrot Sticks, Celery Sticks & Bread Sticks

Sweet Treats & Desserts

• Ice Cream & Ice Lollies
• Strawberries & Cream
• Brownies & Flapjacks
• Cheesecake & Cake
• Marshmallows (for over the grill)

For the Cooking

• Grill
• Side Table
• Lighter or Matches
• Fuel (Charcoal or gas)
• Fire Starters
• BBQ Tongs
• Meat Thermometer
• Tin foil & Aluminium trays

For the Guests

• Plates
• Cutlery
• Plenty of serving spoons and tongs
• Toothpicks
• Paper towels & napkins
• Bin liners

Now that you’ve got your BBQ Checklist for the Ultimate Summer Fun, it’s time to get the invites our and choose a day to have everyone round. To make your barbeque extra special, have a look at our tips on hosting a garden party and Summer gardening tips to make your garden look spectacular.