If you’re planning a backyard BBQ, find out how to take your event to the next level.
Just chuck it on the barbie!
Sure, there’s always the standard snags-and-slice-bread menu to fall back on. However, if you’re looking for something a little more scrumptious, try these awesome BBQ recipes! There’ll be something for carnivores and herbivores alike in this batch…
Easy does it
Fill everyone’s plates without wasting your entire day in the kitchen! The golden ticket is a variety of basic and gourmet; picky eaters and passionate foodies should both be left satisfied!
- Fresh prawns with 3 homemade dipping sauces
- Caprese salad
- Rainbow slaw
- Chicken and veggie sausage rolls
- BLAT pasta salad cups
- Mediterranean fried rice tarts
All a-beer-d
Level up from the usual convoy of battered Eskies with a Beer Station! Use steel bowls, buckets, bar carts, beer barrows, crates or old furniture to create a unique backyard bar.
Ice, ice, baby…
Whip up a batch of frozen drinks to help your guests chill out! Make it family-friendly with fruity smoothies, or turn it up a notch with daiquiris, margaritas and piña coladas.
Ready for rain or shine
Our summers are wrought with freak storms and southerlies, up-ending tablecloths and giving flight to hundreds of serviettes.
Therefore, make sure your backyard BBQ is weatherproof; expect a windy, rainy mess of a day and organise a back-up sheltered entertaining area, just in case.
Make a splash
If it’s going to be a stinking hot day, it can be fun to include some water play. It keeps younger kids’ body temperatures down, it keeps the older kids entertained and even the adults will get into it (especially the ones who’ve been hanging around the Beer Station for a while).
Remember to warn your guests if there’ll be water play, so they can dress appropriately! If there’s a full-blown pool party on the cards, make sure it’s safe, supervised pool play.
Keep your cool
If water play isn’t right for your BBQ, there are other ways of beating the heat this Australia Day. Outdoor fans, misters, and plenty of shade are obvious; for those who want a quirky touch, try:
- chilled and scented towel rolls
- spritzer bottles with ice water and lavender/peppermint oil
- vintage handheld fans
- hydrating infused water
Have a go!
Cricket at a backyard BBQ on Australia Day…is there anything more iconic?
If you want to mix it up, have a look at other backyard games like bocce, kubb or giant Jenga. If it’s too hot (or you don’t trust your hand-eye coordination), games like Celebrity Heads, Cards Against Humanity (if you’re game), playing cards or old board games are great to have on standby.
Pull up a rug
When you’re absolutely spent from the cricket and the bocce and the four whirlpools your kids made you run in the pool, you’re gonna want to take a load off. Offer a variety of outdoor seating options for your guests; the standard table-and-chair combo is helpful for eating, but can be rather stiff and socially restricting.
Benches, crates, and stools offer casual seating options that allow your guests to flow through different locations. Furthermore, rugs and floor pillows are a great addition for children’s corners or families with bubs.
Aussie Bangers
If you’re feeling anxious about playing DJ for the day, check out Spotify, Apple Music or YouTube for great playlists that pay tribute to iconic Aussie music. They’ll be specially curated, so you can turn it on, let it play and be free to enjoy your day!
