Summer is all about hanging out with friends and family, and the perfect way to gather everyone together is by throwing a cookout! Whether you want to make it a potluck or provide all the food, whenever you’re cooking and grilling for a big crowd, there are some essential dos and don’ts.
Do
Whenever you throw a cookout, do prepare as much as you can in advance. Things like grilled vegetables or fruits can be made ahead of time and kept at room temperature or set on a plate next to the grill, so they can be kept warmer.
Don’t
If you’re having a large number of people coming, don’t waste your time on making individual kebabs. Kebabs are great for hosting a few people, but if you figure everyone is going to want at least 2, that can really start to add up and take away precious party time!
Do
When you’re entertaining during the summer, always have a fun cocktail! Make a big batch of one or two drinks, like punch or margaritas, and keep them in pitchers so people can serve themselves, instead of you playing bartender.
Don’t
If you’re using the grill, don’t lift up the lid every few minutes to see how your food is cooking. Every time you do that more and more heat will be released, and it’ll take even longer to cook your food.
