An Easy Guide for Building the Perfect Backyard for Your Next BBQ

Make your next backyard gathering a breeze with this guide.

The return of outside dining season is upon us with sunny days and longer evenings inviting you to enjoy your patio. Food just seems to taste better outside, and nothing beats sharing your culinary creations with guests in the relaxing atmosphere of your own backyard. 

When buying a new home, the outside space can play as important a role as what’s inside. So it’s no surprise that buyers look to new home construction when planning to extend the living area to the backyard. The thoughtfully designed outdoor spaces included in Holt Homes make hosting and enjoying backyard BBQs a breeze– whether you opt for a floor plan that includes a patio or a covered patio.

Check out this guide on hosting a BBQ before your next gathering to tick all the planning boxes and make the most of your patio this season.

Set Up Your Grilling Station

You’ll be snapping your tongs and twirling a towel with delight once you get down to cooking in a clean and well-prepped grill station. 

Safety first! Be sure to set up the grill on flat ground away from overhangs, furniture and plants. Ensure ample distance from where children will play and guests will mingle. It never hurts to have a first aid kit nearby should someone get too close to the heat, and a fire extinguisher in case of emergencies. 

Clean and Prep. Scrub down the grill, ensure there’s no leftover grease and dump any ashes.  Check to make sure there are plenty of propane or briquettes, matches, and lighter fluid. 

A Tidy Table. Position a table near the grill to hold towels, tools, and a safe place to put down hot dishes. And, of course, a refreshing drink for the grill master!

Terrific Tools. A few essentials make grilling fun and easy: 
●    Cutting board
●    Pair of metal tongs
●    Marinade brush
●    Sturdy pair of scissors
●    Sharp knife
●    Set of oven mitts
●    A few clean towels
●    Meat thermometer

Toss in a wire brush for scraping the grill before and after cooking, an apron for the chef and you’re looking at a complete grilling toolkit.

Plan Your Menu In Advance

No one wants to have to rush to the store or be stuck in the kitchen while guests arrive. And, marinated meat and vegetables taste better the longer you let them hang out in the fridge. Take a peak at these delicious ideas for main and side dishes you can prep in advance.

Meats, Veggies and Marinades.

Hot dogs and hamburgers are always a hit, but if you’re looking to wow guests, it doesn’t take too much extra effort to serve something showstopping. 

Beef is a crowd-pleaser. Select a quick-cooking cut like New York Strip or Flank steak that will grill up in minutes. Looking for something heftier? A juicy T-bone is great on the grill. Pair your perfect cut with one of these flavorful marinades:

• Classic Steakhouse Soy sauce, Worcestershire, lemon juice, minced garlic, and plenty of black pepper
• Latin-Inspired Lime juice, lime zest, olive oil, salt, pepper, red pepper flakes and fresh cilantro
• Top Secret A bottle of your favorite store-bought Italian dressing (we won’t tell!) 

Chicken on the grill never disappoints and you really can’t go wrong with wings, skin-on, bone-in thighs, or breasts. More adventurous cooks might even try a whole, spatchcocked chicken. Banish bland chicken with these tasty marinades:

• Tuscan Olive oil, balsamic vinegar, rosemary, garlic powder, salt and pepper
• Greek Olive oil, lemon juice, dijon mustard, thyme, minced garlic, salt and pepper
• BBQ from a bottle or a tasty combination of ketchup, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, Worcestershire, and powdered mustard

Vegetables, not just for the meat-averse, are downright delightful on the grill. Try chunks of zucchini, onion, and bell pepper strung on skewers or large wedges of your favorite veg placed directly over the fire. Any marinade you might put on meat is tasty on veggies, too! 

Tip! Meat can be marinated up to 24 hours in advance, as well as vegetables and skewers. Start preparing your main dishes a day ahead of your party to make hosting a breeze. 

Sides and Salads. Warmer weather means lots of delicious produce to make fresh and tasty accompaniments to balance heavier grilled fare. Try these quick and easy sides:

• Antipasto Salad A mixture of your favorite cured meat and bite-sized Mozzarella balls with diced tomatoes, sweet peppers, olives, arugula, sun-dried tomatoes and a generous glug of olive oil and red wine vinegar. Salt and pepper to taste!
• Nectarine, Tomato, Burrata, and Basil Salad. Juicy slices of nectarine, any type of tomato you have on hand, a few torn leaves of basil and a big ball of creamy Buratta on top. Finish with a swirl of olive oil and a little salt and pepper. 
  Melon and Prosciutto Either cantaloupe or honeydew is perfect here. Slice your melon into wedges, removing the seeds and rind. Drape each slice with a piece of prosciutto. Salty, sweet and so easy.
• Green Apple Cabbage Slaw. Store-bought shredded cabbage helps this come together quickly, or bust out the mandoline and slice away. A mixture of green and purple cabbage is eye-catching and the addition of thinly sliced green apple adds brightness. For a quick and easy dressing, mix together equal parts mayonnaise and apple cider vinegar and season to taste with sugar, salt and pepper.
• Potato Salad. A departure from heavier, mayo-based versions try dressing boiled and quartered Yukon Gold or Red potatoes with olive oil, red wine vinegar, dijon mustard, a touch of honey, thinly sliced sweet onions, salt, pepper and plenty of fresh herbs like dill and parsley. Capers are a tasty addition here if you have them tucked away in the fridge.
• Chips, Dips and Veggie Platters. Everyone loves these, and you shouldn’t feel bad about including these store-bought items. Toss out some big bowls of different chips, hummus, ranch and sliced up veggies from the deli section. All are perfect for guests to graze on while they wait for the main event.

Tip! Do as a seasoned chef would and prep as many recipe components up to a few days before your event. Slice up vegetables and fruit, mince that garlic, whisk together dressings and when it comes time to compose your dishes, you’ll feel like a pro effortlessly arranging colorful salads and sides.

 
Cocktails, Mocktails and Beverage Stations.

Beyond cans of sparkling water, soda, beer and cider a cocktail or mocktail is a fantastic way to feel fancy– without too much fuss! Here’s a few ideas for sippers you can mix for your guests on request, or serve in pitchers. 

• Mojito With or without the rum, guests will enjoy the refreshing flavor of this drink. A few leaves of crushed fresh mint, a generous squeeze of lime juice, a swirl of simple syrup and all topped with bubbly soda water and served over ice– it’s sure to beat the heat!
• Cinderella Combine equal parts lemon, orange and pineapple juice with just a touch of grenadine for sweetness. Serve over ice and add vodka or rum for an adult version.
• Green Lemonade Pair equal parts lemonade with lime juice, add a dash of simple syrup for extra sweetness and garnish with sliced cucumber or green kiwi. Mix with ice and add gin for a kick.
• Hydration Station With all the playing, chatting and eating guests will be doing, they’ll need to stay hydrated. Try filling glass beverage dispensers with water, ice and slices of strawberries, cucumber, lemon, or mint to encourage them to enjoy some much-needed water.

Tip! Table space may be limited, giving you the perfect opportunity to get creative with displaying drinks. Decorative coolers, galvanized metal tubs, or even wheelbarrows filled with ice are rustic, and charming and can be set up around your patio so guests always have a fresh drink close by. 

Choose a Theme and Enhance Your Patio’s Ambiance

A theme is a great way to tie your patio and BBQ together. Rustic Americana, By the Sea, Farm to Table, S’mores Camping Party– all add a touch of whimsy and help inspire decorative elements. And, consider how you’d like to transition from day to night. As the sun goes down, out comes the cozy mood lighting! A few easy touches to consider:

• Strings of bistro lights
• Candles, lanterns or tiki torches
• Tablecloths and napkins
• Decorative pillows

Tip! Don’t forget the music! Compose a few different playlists with upbeat vibes for the day and something more low key to help wind down the evening. Delegating the music to someone who loves playing DJ is also a great way to free up your time and attention. Or, choose a pre-made playlist from your favorite streaming platform. 

Seating, Shade and Amenities

Keep guests comfortable by providing ample seating, tables to sit down and eat, and areas to relax. A few patio loungers and some pillows and blankets tossed out on the grass will invite folks to take a load off.

Check the weather and be sure to provide some shade! Umbrellas and sun shades come in handy and can be a low-cost addition to your perfect patio.

Tip! While putting together a dreamy backyard bbq with plenty of thoughtful design choices, don’t forget some basic necessities! Trash cans, recycling bins, toilet paper, hand sanitizer, and hand soap are all things you want to have plenty of. Some to-go containers are also a wonderful way to ensure you aren’t eating BBQ leftovers for the next week. 

Fun for All Ages

Outdoor games and activities for all ages and skill levels are always a great idea. Here are a few ideas to keep high-energy and more subdued guests entertained:

• Badminton
• Bocce Ball
• Corn Hole
• Horseshoes
• Lawn Darts
• Checkers
• Classic card games
• Cribbage

If you have the space, an inflatable kiddie pool will keep the smallest guests entertained for hours and even the adults will appreciate dipping their toes into some cool water. 

With all the work you’ve put into designing the inside of your Holt Home, curating a patio design for barbecues is sure to make your whole space feel complete. Whether understated and intimate or a little more over the top, enjoy how easy it can be to share your backyard and good food with loved ones. You won’t want to miss this incredible summer…at home!

 

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About Holt Homes

For more than four decades, Holt Homes has built new construction homes for families in Oregon and Southwest Washington. The quality and experience of our people, the ease and efficiency of our approach, and the livability of our communities works hand-in-hand to make Holt Homes the largest locally-grown home builder in the region. For more information, live chat or call us at (971) 231-5560.

*All selections subject to change depending on availability