How To Make A BBQ Look Effortless (Even If You've Been Planning It For Days)
There are two types of BBQ hosts, the ones who spend the entire afternoon sweating over the grill, disappearing every five minutes and emerging looking increasingly stressed and the ones who somehow glide around with a drink in hand, looking impossibly relaxed while everyone tells them how amazing everything is.
Guess which one we're aiming for?
The secret to an effortless BBQ isn't actually being effortless. It's all about doing the hard work beforehand so that when your guests arrive, all that's left to do is cook, pour drinks and enjoy yourself. Theo and I love to host and the guest list always ends up more than first planned, so here's exactly how we do it.
Prep Is Everything
If there's one thing I've learnt from hosting, it's this: never leave anything until the last minute.
The day before, I:
Set the table
Wash and prep all vegetables
Make any salads
Prepare sauces and dressings
Chill drinks
Check I have enough ice (you never do)
The more jobs you can tick off before guests arrive, the more relaxed you'll feel.
Create Different Zones:
The easiest way to make a BBQ feel elevated is to think beyond the food.
Create little areas around the garden:
A drinks station
A food table
A cosy seating area
Somewhere for guests to perch while chatting
People naturally gravitate between spaces and it instantly makes everything feel more considered. We tend to keep all the food inside as its closer to the oven and further from the flies. It’s also easier to tidy when things are grouped.
Top tip for the food, buy yourslelf some good paper plates and wooden cutlery that can be recycled after use so that you’re not using your best china and not having to wash up like 30 plates and 53663 forks. If theres lots of people, get yourself some pretty paper napkins if you don’t have enough fabric ones. Although you won’t find paper cups in my house, glass only coz ya know, everything tastes better in a proper glass. Top tip though, if you have clumsy friends (Jayce, I’m looking at you), make sure you buy some cheaper glasses that don’t create palpitations if they are broken). For the kids, I always have some fun unbreakable cups in the cupboard with a paper umbrella or 2 on hand for extra fun.
Keep Decorations Simple
My go-to formula:
Linen tablecloths
Lots of candles
Fresh wild flowers - I order mine from Make Every day bloom
Big serving platters. I have collected these over the years but heres some I’m loving atm.
The aim is relaxed summer chic, not wedding reception.
And remember: food is the decoration. A huge bowl of vibrant salad, golden potatoes and stacked burgers look far better than anything you can buy online.
MUSIC
Get yourself a good playlist pre-made. Think of the vibe you want to create and go with that. Music is so important.
Don't Try To Cook Everything At Once
This is where most people go wrong. Choose a menu where most dishes can be made ahead and served at room temperature. That leaves just one hero item on the BBQ. For me, that's Theo's epic smash burgers. Although be warned that even if you’ve made 28 sides, that Smash burger will get all the ooo’s and ahh’s haaa!
My BBQ Go-To Menu:
You know I love a potato and these These are always the first thing to disappear.
You'll Need:
Baby potatoes
Olive oil
Grated parmesan
Garlic powder
Sea salt
Black pepper
Method:
Boil the potatoes until just tender.
Cook a whole garlic wrapped in foil, drizzled with olive oil for 45min
Drain the potatoes and allow them to steam dry.
Once the garlic is cooked, squueze it out of its skin into a pan with LOADS of olive oil and basically a whole slab of butter. Let it melt together.
Flattern the potatoes slightly in the roasting pan using the bottom of a cup or glass. Pour the garlicky buttery sauce of dreams over them, season and Roast until golden and crispy.
Finish with plenty of parmesan and pop back into the oven for 5 minutes until the cheese is golden.
Crispy, cheesy and dangerously addictive.
Creamed Corn:
Sweet, creamy and ridiculously easy.
You'll Need:
Sweetcorn, frozen is fine (500g)
Butter (250g)
Cream cheese (250g)
Chilli flakes (to taste)
Garlic granules (1 table spoon)
Salt and pepper (to taste)
Method:
Melt butter in a large pan.
Add the corn and cook for a few minutes.
Stir through the cream cheese and sprinkle in the garlic granuals
Simmer until thickened.
Finish some chilli flakes and salt and pepper.
Serve warm and watch people go back for seconds.
Green Bean Salad:
Freshness is essential when there's lots of rich food cooked in butter on the table. Lol
You'll Need:
Fine green beans
Very good extra virgin olive oil
Lemon
feta
Pomegranate
Method:
Blanch the beans for 2-3 mins and plunge them into iced water.
Squeeze in the juice of a whole lemon. Drizzle on loads of olive oil. Salt and Pepper
Finish with Pomegranate and Feta because everything’s better with feta.
Simple, fresh and balances out all the indulgence.
Theo's Epic Smash Burgers
The star of the show.
You'll Need:
Beef mince with a decent fat content (theo gets his from a Scottish Butcher’s
American cheese slices
Good buns. After LOTS of research, Theo says these Potato Buns are the best
Pickles
Onions
Method:
Roll mince into balls.
Place on a screaming hot griddle.
Smash immediately using a burger press.
Season generously.
Flip once crispy and caramelised.
Add cheese and allow to melt.
Build your burger with sauce, pickles and toasted buns.
Messy. Delicious. Worth every napkin.
The Final Touch
As guests arrive, light the candles, put the music on and pour yourself a drink. Because the whole point of a BBQ isn't creating a perfect event. It's creating one where everyone feels relaxed, including you. And if people leave full and happy and wondering how you made hosting look so easy? You've nailed it.
Love
Lisa x