As a consequence of seeing the sun approximately 3 days of the year, us Brits love nothing more than firing up the barbecue, rustling up some burgers, cracking open a beverage or two, and inviting our friends round for an afternoon of sun and fun.
As we know, British weather is unpredictable. We may awake to a gloriously sunny morning and end up battling with our brolly later in the afternoon. That’s why our barbecues need prep and planning, for all eventualities.
In this handy guide you’ll discover our top tips, essential barbecue must-haves, and delicious food ideas for the perfect British BBQ this summer.
Let’s get stuck in!
The Prep Work
Before you excitedly send out those ‘it’s BBQ time, get yourself round to mine!’ texts, you need to be sure you have all of the basics to host a delicious afternoon with happy guests.
Use our hosting checklist to ensure you’re good to grill.
Hosting Checklist:
- Charcoal or gas BBQ with BBQ utensils
- Garden furniture & seating
- Outdoor lighting for if the afternoon fun becomes an evening soiree
- Plates, cutlery, cups & napkins
- Coolers or ice buckets (or make enough space in your fridge and freezer!)
- Music playlist & outdoor speakers
- Blankets for when the sun dips behind those pesky clouds
- Ingredients to whip up BBQ classics: burgers, hot dogs, corn etc.
The Great British Barbecue Menu
Now that you’ve got everything you need to grill, it’s time to focus on the food. Nothing beats the classics: beef burgers, hot dogs, corn on the cob and skewers, but if you’re aiming to impress, here are our ‘extra mile’ BBQ ideas.
- Grilled Watermelon Salad.
- Korean Chilli Chicken.
- Sticky Halloumi Kebabs.
- Peach Panzanella Salad.
- Tandoori Cod Burger.
Bringing the Vibes
So you have all of the equipment and you’ve made loads of delicious food, but how are you stopping the party from dying out once the barbecue cools down?
Creating the right atmosphere is everything when it comes to a BBQ party to remember. Think about comfort and ambience; opting for cushions and blankets as the party heads into the summer evening light.
Place fairy lights and candles around the garden to create a warm glow, play upbeat background music whilst being careful not to drown out conversation, and provide fun games to play to keep the good mood flowing.
Remember to continuously offer drink refreshments so your guests know you’re the host of the summer.
Hosting a great BBQ in the UK is all about good food, great company, and making the most of those rare times when the sun decides to join us. With the right planning, a flavour-packed menu, and a touch of garden party flair, you can create a summer celebration your guests are sure to rave about.
Now that you’re prepped and ready to go, hit send on that invite text. We’ll be waiting in anticipation to receive ours!
If you do throw a BBQ to remember, and our blankets, cosy socks or any Heat Holders products happen to be invited, we’d love to see your summer snaps - tag us on TikTok at @HeatHoldersUK, Instagram at @HeatHoldersUK and Facebook at @HeatHolders, we may even feature you on our page 🍗🌞🍹
