There’s nothing quite like a tempting outdoor feast to bring friends and family together. Whether hosting a backyard gathering or planning a fun outdoor picnic, having a repertoire of delicious recipes is essential. To help you take your outdoor party game to the next level, we’ve compiled a list of 6 simple yet mouthwatering recipes that will impress your guests.
1 Classic Barbecued Burgers
Let’s start with a crowd-pleaser; the classic barbecued burger. Start by seasoning your ground beef with salt, pepper, and any additional spices or herbs you prefer. And here’s a pro tip: Add a handful of quick-cooking oats and crack an egg into the mixture. This helps bulk up the patties and prevents them from crumbling on the grill.
Form the beef mixture into patties of your desired size, and make sure to create an indentation in the center of each patty. This indentation helps the patties cook evenly, preventing them from puffing up in the middle. Grill the patties and serve them on toasted buns with your favorite toppings and condiments.
2 Pineapple Chicken
We know what you’re thinking: Pineapple and chicken? That’s an odd combination. Well, sometimes the most unexpected duos turn out to be the ones that make your taste buds sing in sweet, succulent harmony. In this case, pineapple’s natural sweetness and tanginess meet the savory deliciousness of chicken, creating a flavor explosion that will make you question why you hadn’t tried it sooner.
If you want a tasty treat that will get everyone asking for seconds and begging for the secret ingredient, we recommend checking out this simple pineapple chicken recipe. It requires very little work, and the mouthwatering combination of sweet and savory will leave your guests impressed.
3 Garlic Butter Shrimp
Indulge your garlic cravings with these delightful lemony and garlicky shrimp that can be ready in less than 10 minutes. Coat peeled and deveined shrimp in a delectable blend of melted butter, minced garlic, fresh lemon juice, and aromatic chopped parsley. These shrimp cook up quickly – requiring only around 2-3 minutes per side, based on the shrimp’s size. As soon as they turn pinkish and opaque, consider them perfectly cooked. Serve with tangy lemon wedges for that extra zing.
4 Grilled Vegetable Skewers
If you want healthier options for your outdoor feast, look no further than grilled vegetable skewers. These vibrant and nutrient-packed skewers add color to your grill and offer various health benefits. In fact, certain vegetables like onions and carrots can have a higher nutritional value after being grilled. And nutritionists have even found grilled vegetables to aid weight loss efforts.
Select colorful vegetables such as bell peppers, zucchini, onions, and cherry tomatoes. It’s important to chop the vegetables into similar-sized pieces, ensuring they cook evenly on the grill. And avoid placing vegetables with drastically different cooking times on the same skewer. Trust us; you don’t want to end up with charred cherry tomatoes and raw red onions.
5 Honey Mustard Chicken Wings
A survey of 2000 Americans showed that chicken wings reign supreme as the favorite casual-dining appetizer, with 54% of respondents choosing them over other popular options like chips and salsa or French fries. But why settle for the ordinary when you can take your chicken wings to a whole new level of deliciousness with an irresistible honey mustard twist?
Start by marinating the wings in honey, Dijon mustard, and minced garlic. If you’re feeling adventurous and enjoy a fiery kick, don’t forget to add a dash of hot sauce. The amount of hot sauce you add will determine the level of spiciness, so adjust it to your preference. You can even turn this into a fun backyard game by hosting your very own episode of Hot Ones with friends and family.
Once the wings have soaked up all those mouthwatering flavors, it’s time to grill them to golden perfection. Once done, brush them with another layer of honey mustard sauce. This additional coating will add a glossy sheen to the wings and intensify the sweet flavors we all love. Make sure to coat every wing generously before serving.
6 Barbecue Ribs
When preparing barbecue ribs, you should remove the membrane on the underside. This will enhance the tenderness of the ribs and allow the flavors to penetrate every delicious bite.
Next, consider wrapping your ribs in foil during the cooking process. This technique helps lock in moisture and tenderness, especially during longer cook times. The foil acts as a shield, ensuring the ribs remain moist and tender throughout their journey on the grill. But that’s not all the foil does. It also plays a crucial role in speeding up the cooking process by trapping heat and allowing the ribs to cook more efficiently.
Now it’s time to slow-cook those ribs to perfection. Place them on the grill, either directly or indirectly, and let them cook low and slow. As the ribs cook, periodically brush them with a smoky barbecue sauce. When you feel the ribs are tender enough, it’s time to savor the fruits of your labor.
Conclusion
With these 6 simple and mouthwatering recipes, your next outdoor party will surely be a hit. From juicy burgers to succulent veggies, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. So kick-start the food preparation, gather your loved ones, and prepare for a fantastic outdoor feast.
