Backyard barbecues are the perfect way to bring people together for food and fun. But hosting the ultimate backyard party involves more than just setting out grilling utensils and serving up a crowd-pleasing menu.

Round out the experience with lawn games like cornhole, ladder golf, and croquet. Also, make sure you have enough seating to accommodate all your guests.

1. Use a Propane Grill

Propane grills give you something charcoal can’t: precise, instant heat control. From high heat for searing steaks to low for slow-cooked pork, all you have to do is turn a dial. Plus, “you don’t have to meticulously organize and rake through coals to create hot zones,” says Rob Levitt of Chicago’s Publican Quality Meats.

If you’re thinking of adding a propane tank BBQ grill to your outdoor living space, keep in mind that it will need to be properly secured to minimize the risk of tipping over. Make sure the cylinder has frost or condensation on it to indicate that it’s filled with liquid propane, and make sure children and pets are away from it while you grill.

You can also choose to connect a natural gas grill to your home’s gas line and use it for backyard barbecues without having to purchase and transport propane tanks. But if you don’t have a gas hookup, a propane tank BBQ grill is still the most convenient option.

To reduce the need for you to constantly be near your grill while guests are eating, plan ahead and prep as much food as possible in advance of the party. Side dishes like salads can be prepared and stored in the fridge until you’re ready to serve them, and you can even assemble whole meals in crockpots to keep warm until dinnertime.

If your cookout is going to go long into the evening, keep the ambiance lit with some decorative lighting for your backyard. String lights, patio lanterns, and a couple of landscape uplights can help illuminate the area for a more relaxed and enjoyable experience. And don’t forget to create a playlist that matches your barbecue theme for a truly memorable backyard party.

2. Make a Smoked Meat Basket

The ultimate backyard barbecue goes far beyond a few burgers and hot dogs. You can elevate your cookout with a range of delicious meats, sides and desserts. Also make sure to use the top BBQ rub Australia can offer for a successful barbecue part! The key to a successful BBQ is planning ahead. Creating a checklist can help you keep track of all the little details and ensure that your event runs smoothly.

Start by determining how many guests you’ll be hosting. This will help you decide how much food to prepare and how to organize your space. If you’re cooking for a large group, consider serving the main courses buffet-style to keep everyone fed and happy. For example, you could serve grilled beef, chicken and pork along with veggie burgers, salads, potatoes and coleslaw.

It’s also important to think about any dietary restrictions your guests may have. Choosing dishes that use similar ingredients or have comparable prep times can help optimize your time and space. If you have guests with gluten allergies or other dietary restrictions, make sure you include some vegetarian options in your menu.

Once you have your main courses figured out, you can turn your attention to the side dishes and drinks. Water, lemonade and iced tea are great drink choices for BBQs, but you can also offer more exotic options like Thai-basil sangria or a fruit punch made with a mix of fresh strawberries, kiwis and blueberries.

A backyard barbecue isn’t complete without some entertainment, and setting up a few yard games can give your guests something to do while the food is grilling. And of course, no backyard party is complete without music! Thankfully, Bluetooth speakers are becoming more commonplace, and they can be used to play your favorite summer tunes during your backyard barbecue.

3. Make a Sauce

Great cookout food, free-flowing pitchers of cocktails (and mocktails), summery music and your best friends gathered ’round a fire or huddled into an inflatable pool—that’s the dream backyard barbecue. Playing host and planning a menu that will impress is a big job, though, so it’s helpful to have some tools in place.

Before you send out invitations, make sure you know how many people you’ll be hosting for your backyard bash. This will help you decide how much food to make and what to buy. For instance, a menu of grilled meats like hamburgers or hot dogs will need to be prepared in advance, but sides such as coleslaw, potato salad and baked beans can easily be made on the day of the party. Drinks like lemonade or iced tea and desserts like fruit salad, ice cream or cookies are easy to serve, too.

As guests arrive, make them feel welcome by showing them the layout of your back yard and explaining where to find everything they’ll be looking for. It’s also a good idea to have insect repellent and sunscreen readily available. Setting out citronella candles and tiki torches helps ward off mosquitos, too.

For the most relaxing and enjoyable backyard barbecue, limit the amount of time you spend in the kitchen. Set up a beverage station with two or more coolers so you can offer guests a variety of drinks without constantly running back and forth to the refrigerator. It’s also a great idea to pre-make some beverages ahead of time, like sangria or margaritas, which will only need to be chilled when they are ready for serving. This will keep your hands free and allow you to socialize with your guests.

4. Make a Side Dish

Playing host to a backyard barbecue is an exciting and satisfying challenge. There are many details to consider, such as what recipes go together, which side dishes compliment which proteins, and how much food to make for a crowd. Fortunately, we’re here to help! Whether you’re serving burgers and hotdogs, or going for a more elegant menu with chicken, steak, or kebabs, we’ve got easy BBQ ideas for a large group.

The first step is determining how many people will be attending your backyard party and buying enough food to feed them all. To get an accurate headcount, send out an email or text asking guests to RSVP so you can plan for how much food and drink to prepare ahead of time. Providing an RSVP date will also give you an idea of how early to start cooking the main course, so it’s not a last-minute scramble.

Once you’ve figured out the number of people coming, it’s time to decide on your appetizers and side dishes. We recommend choosing a few items that can be prepared in advance, or kept warm in the crockpot so they’re ready to serve at your cookout. This will save you time on the day of the event and allows guests to eat as they mingle.

Individual bacon and meatloaf bites, grilled pineapple skewers, and fresh watermelon with pulled pork are all great BBQ ideas for a large crowd. Avoid sticky or sweet foods that may attract pesky bugs, and place citronella torches around the yard, as well as bug spray and repellent for guests to use.

5. Serve Dessert

Make sure you have plenty of food and drinks for your guests, especially if your party is going to last into the night. If you have a large backyard, set up multiple seating zones and include tables and chairs in each zone so guests have a place to put their plates and drinks. Make it easy for your guests to clean up by placing trash bags and recycling bins nearby.

Plan your menu ahead of time, taking into account the number of people you will be inviting and their dietary needs. The Food Network recommends planning for each adult to eat 1 pound of food, and each child to eat about half a pound. Also, be sure to account for any side dishes or appetizers you’ll serve, including make-ahead artichoke dip and skewer-based appetizers like asparagus bundles and Mediterranean pasta salad.

Round out your cookout with a delicious dessert! There are fresh recipes that showcase summer fruits, as well as decadent options for chocolate lovers. And don’t forget the beverages: stock a few coolers with soda, water, beer, and other options to keep everyone hydrated.

Ask your guests to bring their favorite drinks and side dishes, which will help reduce your workload. This is a great way to make the party even more fun and build a sense of community among your friends and neighbors. To make cleanup easier, have insect repellent and sunscreen on hand, as well as a few citronella candles or torches for warding off bugs. Then, enjoy the beautiful weather with your friends and family! With a little advance planning, your backyard barbecue will be the highlight of your summer.