|

easy barbecue tips and ideas

A big thanks to Better Homes & Gardens and The Clorox Company for sponsoring today’s post. All opinions, as always, are our very own.

Summertime means tons of barbecues around here and since we’re so seasoned (see what we did there? Ha!) with the process, we’re sharing some easy barbecue tips, ideas and hacks to help yours go just as smoothly! Our biggest tip is to shop one store that has it all; less stress for these mamas who can make a list, shop, and head back ready to party! 

Easy Barbecue Tips + Tricks... click through for this nearly utensil-free party, just grab 'n go!

Walmart happens to carry our most favorite line of decor that is perfect for summer entertaining, Better Homes & Gardens. Their pieces are perfect for holding chips, drinks, appetizers, the main course, and every side dish in between! 

Easy Barbecue Tips + Tricks... click through for this nearly utensil-free party, just grab 'n go!

While shopping we spied Clorox® outdoor outdoor bleach in the garden section and knew it would be perfect to sanitize my outdoor table and get it ready for the yummy spread! 

Awesome BBQ or outdoor party tips! Before you get started, clean with this awesome product!

We just added a bit of Clorox® outdoor bleach with water then sprayed the chairs and tabletop down. A wet dishtowel wiped away the grime and gunk from our last party and left my vintage table looking ready for edible items to top it!

Awesome BBQ or outdoor party tips! Before you get started, clean with this awesome product!

Viola! Clean and ready to party, germ-free!

Awesome BBQ or outdoor party tips! Before you get started, clean with this awesome product!

From there it was a matter of grouping foods around how you would build your plate, (plates next to main course, add sides, then top with dessert,) then set the table that way.

Easy Barbecue Tips + Tricks... click through for this nearly utensil-free party, just grab 'n go!

We have a gaggle of kids at our large family gatherings so our next biggest tip is try to use as little utensils as possible… or you’ll be finding them all over the lawn later. 😉Easy Barbecue Tips + Tricks... click through for this nearly utensil-free party, just grab 'n go!

We started with chopping up veggies, pouring Hidden Valley® Ranch dressing into the bottom of the cup, then sticking the veggies on top. They can sit as long as your kid refuses to eat them before they can go play as they won’t go soggy. 😉

 

Easy Barbecue Tips + Tricks... click through for this nearly utensil-free party, just grab 'n go!

Hidden Valley® Ranch dressing packets also come in handy for chip dip! Mmm!
Easy Barbecue Tips + Tricks... click through for this nearly utensil-free party, just grab 'n go!

After the veggies were prepared we moved onto the main dish, hot dogs, a staple around here since they’re a kid crowd pleaser. To make it easier for them to grab ‘n go, we wrapped the napkin around each hog & bun, then tied them up. They can snag a dog and easily squeeze ketchup or mustard from our squeeze bottles found at Walmart. No mess, no fuss!

Easy Barbecue Tips + Tricks... click through for this nearly utensil-free party, just grab 'n go!

Easy Barbecue Tips + Tricks... click through for this nearly utensil-free party, just grab 'n go!

Easy BBQ or Party Hack: Wrap hot dog in bun and tie napkin around for easy grabbing! No plate required!

Watermelon tastes the best in the summer, right? To make it as kid-friendly as possible, and without making a giant sticky mess for me or my patio, I cut a slit in the rhine of the watermelon after cutting it into triangles, then popped a large craft stick in the slit. Easy peasy!

Easy BBQ Hack: Slice watermelon in triangles + slide large craft stick for easy grabbing! Kids love it!

Watermelon on a stick = mom win!

Easy Barbecue Tips + Tricks... click through for this nearly utensil-free party, just grab 'n go!

Some of my favorite entertaining ware staples are also from Walmart, especially the Better Homes & Gardens line. Galvanized pieces are classic and go with almost any theme! I coordinated them with pretty white Better Homes & Gardens dishes and they are a perfect pair!

Easy BBQ Hack: Slice watermelon in triangles + slide large craft stick for easy grabbing! Kids love it!

This mason jar style glass water dispenser from Better Homes & Gardens really ties the galvanized with the classic white together, doesn’t it? I love how playful it is for the summer look we are going for! If you want an easy BBQ invite, we’ve whipped up a generic one you can simply download and either handwrite the details on or add text over it before printing.

Free Potluck Barbecue Invitation.... download, add text (we love PicMonkey.com which is free!) then print! Happy BBQ'ing! (:

Click here to our free BBQ invitation, then just right-click to save or print. 

Free Potluck Barbecue Invitation.... download, add text (we love PicMonkey.com which is free!) then print! Happy BBQ'ing! (:

To add your party details to it, follow these easy steps:

  • Go to Picmonkey.com
  • Click the EDIT button
  • UPLOAD your image
  • Click the TEXT tool on the left side (Tt button)
  • ADD text to both sides of BBQ printable
  • EXPORT (save) then print
  • Party on! (:

Easy Barbecue Tips + Tricks... click through for this nearly utensil-free party, just grab 'n go!

Once you’re all done with the BBQ, don’t toss the leftovers but store them with Glad® Press’n Seal or inside Glad® containers.

Easy Barbecue Tips + Tricks... use Press 'N Seal to quickly store leftovers.... no lid or separate tupperware required! Click to see more hacks for this nearly utensil-free BBQ!

The individual sized veggies (as well as macaroni salad) don’t need to be thrown out but instead, add a layer of Glad® Press’n Seal then store in the refrigerator for 1-2 days longer.

Easy Barbecue Tips + Tricks... click through for this nearly utensil-free party, just grab 'n go!Extra hot dogs? They fit perfectly inside these Glad® storage containers. Seal them up then pop them into the microwave for 15-30 seconds and your hot dog will be just as good as when it was pulled off of the grill!

Easy Barbecue Tips + Tricks... use Glad tupperware to quickly store leftovers.... no lid or separate tupperware required! Click to see more hacks for this nearly utensil-free BBQ!

Be sure to check out more summer entertaining ideas and products from Better Homes & Gardens, Glad® storage, and Hidden Valley® on their social media and sites!

Similar Posts

10 Comments

  1. BBQs are one of the best parts of summer! Thanks for sharing these seriously cute ideas on Homestead Blog Hop!

  2. These are great ideas! We don’t have real young kids at our get-togethers anymore, but I love shopping at Walmart for stuff like that. I have the Mason jar drink dispenser, so I guess now I just need the galvanized pieces to go with it!

  3. What great tips for any Barbecue. Thanks so much for sharing with us at Full Plate Thursday and you have a great weekend!
    Come Back Soon
    Miz Helen

  4. I’m ready to throw a neighborhood barbecue now! Love the fun ideas like watermelon slice on a stick and tying the hot dogs with nostalgic string. Congrats, you’re featured this week at the This Is How We Roll Link Party.

  5. What a great little barbeque. I cannot get over how cute the hotdogs are done up in a pretty napkin. I never would have thought of it. Thanks for the inspiration.

  6. Great ideas for the next Barbecue! Thanks so much for sharing with us at Full Plate Thursday, have a great weekend and come back soon!
    Miz Helen

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *