Backyard Barbecue Party Ideas for Your Next Cookout

Fire up the grill, invite a few pals and host a backyard cookout worth celebrating with these top tips, recipes, decor ideas and more.

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August 20, 2021

By: Maria Conti

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Fun-Filled Barbecue Cookout Ideas

Invite friends and family over for a fun-filled backyard barbecue this spring, summer or fall. We're sharing delicious barbecue recipes that will win over a crowd and boozy sips that will leave them smiling all afternoon. Even better? We're dishing on our go-to dining setup, cookout decorations and entertainment ideas for guests of all ages.

See More Photos: How to Host a Backyard Barbecue Wedding Shower

On-Theme Libation Station

What better way to greet guests than with an ice-cold brew by the back door? This old charcoal grill was upcycled into a charming, one-of-a-kind drink station perfect for a backyard barbecue. Recreate this on-theme cooler for your next cookout and fill it with dry white wine, rosé, spiked seltzer and local craft beers.

Get the How-To: Upcycle an Old Charcoal Grill Into a Chill Patio Bar Cart

From: H. Camille Smith

Start a Corn Hole Tournament

Set up your tried-and-true corn hole boards to keep guests entertained while they await your world-famous ribs. Corn hole is an easy, crowd-pleasing game that kids of all ages will enjoy. Pro Tip: Bring out a chalkboard or dry-erase board to keep score throughout the day. Award the champion with a special dessert or gift card to a local barbecue restaurant.

Get the How-To: How to Upcycle an Old Pallet Into a Cornhole Game

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

Buzz-Worthy Sangria Pops

One never grows too old to appreciate the simple joys of a popsicle, and these fruity pops are made especially for adults. Serve guests these sangria ice pops as a refreshing treat to kick off the barbecue festivities.

Get the Recipe: Make These Sangria Ice Pops and Win Summer

Unexpected Seating

Underestimated your guest list? Not to fret. Take notes from designer Brian Patrick Flynn and create additional outdoor seating with a couple of hay bales. Use the stacks solo or drape them with outdoor-friendly throw blankets for a smoother surface.

See More Photos: 10 Tips to Stylishly Take Your Party Outside

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

Elevated Snacks

Pull out all the stops and serve loaded potato chips as an appetizer. Create a self-serve potato chip bar full of tasty toppings for guests to choose from while they await the main course. Our favorite toppings include blue cheese crumbles, hot sauce, sriracha and for the perfect balance of sweet and salty — brown sugar.

Get the How-To: How to Set Up a Self-Serve Potato Chip Bar

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

Pallet Stations

Create extra dining space or a make-shift barbecue buffet with stacked pallet crates. This backyard gathering features a stacked pallet station dressed to impress with a blue bandana table runner, sunflower blooms and a sundae-topped cake stand.

Spice Up Your Side Dishes

Give your tried-and-true corn on the cob recipe a little zhush with our Mexican street corn recipe. This mouthwatering recipe calls for ancho chili powder, fresh limes, Cotija cheese and a whole stick of butter. Guests will be asking for this spiced-up side dish recipe before you even have a chance to serve dessert.

Get the Recipe: Grilled Mexican Corn Recipe

From: Kristin Guy

Backyard Beer Tasting

Fresh barbecue and cold brews are a winning combination, so it only seems right to turn your upcoming backyard cookout into a beer tasting party, too. Ask each guest to bring a pack of their favorite local beer, then pass around one of each to your guests to enjoy.

See More Photos: Throw Dad a Beer Tasting Party for Father's Day

Create Cozy Destinations

Use outdoor throws, plush pillows and candles to create cozy conversation spots throughout the backyard. Doing this will encourage guests to spread out and maintain a sense of flow in your outdoor space. Here, a pair of Adirondack chairs offer prime seating to enjoy one-on-one chat sessions over summer cocktails at sunset.

See More: 12 Best Adirondack Chairs for Every Style and Budget

Boozy Bourbon + Peach Summertime Smash

Leave guests abuzz (literally) with the taste of summer with this boozy bourbon and peach cocktail. It combines juicy peaches, bourbon, bubbly ginger ale and fresh mint leaves to yield a refreshing, balanced beverage sure to please a crowd. The best part? The fresh peaches make this cocktail a failproof complement to the traditional barbecue flavor profiles.

Get the Recipe: Boozy Bourbon + Peach Summertime Smash

From: H. Camille Smith

Crowd-Pleasing Rib Cups

Offer guests an easy-to-tote appetizer of your celebrated ribs in individual cups. Here, ribs are by the strip in a clear plastic cup filled with extra barbecue sauce. This is an ideal approach to offer guests a sneak peek of your grill skills or serving kid-friendly portions.

See More Photos: 40 Handheld Party Foods for Your Next Shindig

Pull Out the Picnic Blanket

Put your picnic blanket to work for your backyard barbecue and create cozy seating for kids and adults alike. Drape multiple picnic blankets across the lawn and pair each with a cozy pile of pillows and an accent table or tray for stress-free dining.

See More: The Best Picnic Blankets and Beach Mats for Every Need

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

Reimagine Barbecue Favorites

Grilled chicken is a crowd-pleasing cookout entree, but it's not exactly a stand-out dish. Reimagine your old-school barbecue menu with our Southwest-inspired chicken flatbread recipe. To make, combine fresh-grilled barbecue chicken with black beans, grilled red pepper, corn and Mexican shredded cheese on grilled bread.

Get the Recipe: Flatbread Apps Three Ways

Dress the Tables

No tablecloth? No problem. Create a no-sew tablecloth by draping tables with festive bandanas. Take cues from this party-ready outdoor setup and use red, white and blue bandanas for an Americana appeal or keep it simple and stick to one hue for the entire table.

Get the How-To: How to Make a No-Sew Bandana Tablecloth

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

Get Glowing

Light up your backyard barbecue with string lights overhead. The cozy, golden glow brings instant charm and style to any outdoor event and allows guests to continue the party after dark without skipping a beat.

See More Photos: 28 Ways to Light Up Your Next Outdoor Event

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

Sip on Summer Sun Tea

Keep guests hydrated in the heat with this southern mainstay. To make, place a tea bag in each Mason jar, then fill with cold water and let the jars sit in the sun and steep for up to four hours. Remove the tea bags and place the jars in the fridge or on ice until ready to serve. Flavor with herbs, fruits and berries from the garden.

Set Up a Self-Serve Hot Dog Bar

When in doubt, a self-serve hot dog station will never — and we mean never — disappoint. Use this mouthwatering display by Brian Patrick Flynn as your muse and provide guests with a wide variety of toppings and fan-favorite sides like baked beans and slaw.

Get the How-To: Simplify Your Next Cookout With a Self-Serve Hot Dog Bar

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

Easy Breezy Entertaining

Think outside the deck or patio when setting up for your backyard barbecue. Pull your outdoor dining table to the lawn and dine beneath the trees. This approach makes a lovely backdrop to any event and, most importantly, cuts down on foot traffic around the outdoor cooking area.

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

Wow Guests With Grilled Dessert

Keep the grilled goodies coming all evening. Treat guests to this barbecue-friendly version of summer's favorite dessert: grilled strawberry shortcake. The handheld delight features fresh blackberries, strawberries and grilled pound cake stars topped with homemade cream cheese icing.

See More Photos: 25 Mouth-Watering Summer Grilling Recipes

After Hours Outdoor Movie

Round out the event with an outdoor movie night. Set up a projector opposite an empty wall or fence and cozy up with friends for an alfresco viewing of the latest must-see movie or sporting event. Pass around popcorn as a late-night salty snack for extra bonus points.

Get the How-To: Everything You Need to Host an Outdoor Movie Party

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