As the weather starts to warm up, many people like to cook outside on their BBQ before a long summer of outdoor activities. However, if you’ve never had a barbecue party before and are not quite sure how to go about cooking for some people, we have compiled a list of quick barbecue party dish ideas that can be cooked in less than 30 minutes.
Our barbecue party food ideas can be cooked using the two types of barbecue- Side Burner and Front Burner. If your BBQ has a Side Burner, plan on having several dishes that require little or no preparation, because you are going to spend a lot of time tending the BBQ. The Front Burner is best for longer cooking dishes like chicken and meat. Read on to learn the best quick barbecue party dish ideas.
BBQ Chicken
BBQ chicken makes a great one-pot dish, especially with a side of barbeque meatballs, and sweet potato fries. Sometimes you do not have time to go shopping. Here delivery companies can be called up and place orders through mobile phone and even organic options to choose from will be delivered to your doorstep. Thus you will get fresh chicken that would be used in your barbeque party.
Ingredients:
- 1 whole chicken, cut into 8 to 10 pieces
Marinade :
- 1/2 cup of barbeque sauce (mild or medium) 1 tbsp of brown sugar
- molasses, or honey
- 1 tsp of ground ginger
- 1 tsp oregano
- 2 tbsp “bacon. grease”
1. In a large bowl mix together the marinade ingredients and add chicken pieces, stir so all pieces are coated.
2. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and place in the fridge for at least 4 hours, up to 12 hours.
3. Heat the side burner on medium heat.
4. Cook chicken for 12-15 minutes.
5. In the meantime, clean out your smoker and lightly oil the grill grates.
6. Place chicken pieces on the grill and cook just until juices run clear, about 15-20 minutes (approximate time based on the size of chicken pieces). If you like your barbeque sauce a little thicker, do not cover it with a lid.
7. Remove from the grill and serve with some seasoned pita bread or buns for dipping in barbecue sauce (optional). You can also serve on some soft tortilla chips for a healthier way to enjoy barbecue chicken.
BBQ Meatballs
These meatballs can be made either in the smoker or on the grill. Using beef, pork, and/or chicken, mayonnaise, milk and egg yolks cooked together and then turned into balls.
Ingredients:
- Meatballs made from ground pork, smoked sausage, and beef, or any combination of flavors desired
- 1 cup of grated cheese (cheddar or mozzarella)
- 1 egg 2 tbsp milk
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1 tsp brown sugar
- BBQ sauce to taste (optional)
- Cracked black pepper to taste
1. In a large bowl mix the meatball ingredients except for the cheese. Shape into a ball using your hands; make sure to coat all sides evenly. Blot the excess moisture on a paper towel and set it aside.
2. In a small bowl mix together the egg, milk, mayonnaise, and brown sugar, add to the meatball making sure all sides are evenly coated. Again, blot excess moisture on a paper towel and set it aside.
3. Place two pieces of heavy-duty aluminum foil one over another on each side of the cooking grate; spray with vegetable oil cooking spray.
4. Place your meatballs in the center of the grate; cover with an additional piece of heavy-duty aluminum foil (preferably foil that does not leave a sticky residue).
5. Seal tightly with 18-inch long pieces of cooking twine.
6. Place on the BBQ grill, on the low side of the grill, and cook for about 10 minutes or until juices run clear when pierced with a fork.
7. Remove from heat and serve immediately in hamburger buns or baguettes, smothered in your choice of barbeque sauce and topped with cheese.
Sweet Potato Fries
Sweet potato fries are a healthier alternative to regular French fries and any barbecue party is not complete without them.
Ingredients:
- 4 large sweet potatoes (unpeeled)
- Olive oil for brushing
- Olive oil cooking spray
- Sliced lemon
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
1. Wash and quarter the sweet potatoes; pat dry with paper towels.
2. Mix olive oil and cooking spray in a large skillet and heat on medium until hot. Add potatoes, salt, and pepper then mix well to coat (about 5 minutes).
3. Cook for approximately 10 minutes or until sweet potatoes are soft inside but still crispy on the outside (this may vary depending on the size of your potato pieces).
4. Remove from the pan and serve immediately with BBQ sauce.
Smoky Pulled Pork Sandwich
For this recipe, you need to start the night before. Soak wood chips (hickory or oak) overnight in water and smoke the pork for about 8 hours.
Ingredients:
- 4-5 lb pork butt/shoulder
- Roasting bag
- Foil Pan/container for liquid
- Salt
- Pepper
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
1. Soak wood chips (hickory or oak) overnight in water and prepare a smoker.
2. Place a foil pan/container for liquid on a lower rack of the barbecue grill.
3. Place the roasting bag on a higher rack over an empty foil pan/container for liquid. Hold open the top of the bag with tongs and pour in the wood chips. Seal the opening of the bag. Place pork in a roasting bag and cover with heavy-duty aluminum foil.
4. Cook for about 8 hours, removing the foil from the bag every 1-2 hours to allow moisture to escape.
5. Remove pork from barbecue; allow to cool slightly and shred meat using two forks or pull apart with your fingers (tearing apart by hand will yield a more traditional style barbeque pulled pork sandwich ). If desired, place shredded pork in a small saucepan over medium heat, add BBQ sauce and cook until heated through.
6. Transfer to a serving platter then add some buns or bread (optional) and serve immediately.
Cranberry & Brie Grilled Cheese Sandwich
Ingredients:
- Brie cheese (1/2 lb. per sandwich)
- Cranberry sauce (3/4 cup per sandwich)
- Unsalted butter (approx 4 tbsp per sandwich)
- Sliced bread of choice (approx 4 slices per sandwich)
1. Butter one side of each slice of bread; place on the grill.
2. Add the cheese to one slice and cranberry sauce on the other slice; close with another piece of bread, buttered side facing down.
3. Grill for about 5 minutes or until golden brown and cheese has melted completely. Remove from the grill and serve immediately. Serve with a side salad or fresh fruit.
Final Advice
Your barbecue parties can be as casual or as formal as you want to make them. They are as much about the food and the company of friends and family as they are about making that melting, caramelized crust on your barbeque ribs. Your friends and family will remember your hospitality long after they’ve forgotten that bone stuck in their teeth.
You don’t have to turn it into a competition to see who is the best at barbecuing – everyone has their style and everyone can learn from each other.
