Summer is a great time to have friends over for a BBQ. We had friends over when it was over 90 degrees but we don't have a pool.... so we turned on the sprinklers! There's no reason why you can't have a great time during the summer in your own backyard!
As you can tell, we did this on the 4th of July. But this is a great idea for any spring or summer weekend! There are so many different things you can grill and there are so many great options at the store to make it easier for you.
Dips: Start off your BBQ with an assortment of dips, chips and veggies. Some great options are queso, hummus, salsa and guacamole. Feel free to buy from the store or make your own! I personally like homemade guacamole but do whatever works best for you. I put some baby carrots and chopped celery in a bowl for dipping and left the chips in the bags for easy cleanup.
Grilled Veggies: Vegetables are one of my favorite things to grill. When grilling veggies, it's a good idea to use a veggie rack so nothing falls through (which I've learned from experience). Some great veggies for grilling are zucchini, tomatoes, peppers and onion. Some other great grilling options are avocado, portobello mushrooms, pineapple and peaches.
Burgers: No BBQ is complete without burgers. You can buy pre-made lean beef or turkey patties for quick and easy burgers! Just season with some salt and pepper and grill on medium heat until it's cooked to your liking. Add some cheese or vegan cheese to your burger once it's almost done and cook for a few more minutes. Try it with whole wheat buns or substitute the bun altogether and use a lettuce wrap. Top with tomato, onion or anything else you like!
Chicken Skewers: Cut your prep time in half by buying a package of pre-diced chicken and skewers included. Choose an assortment of veggies to put on the skewers and enjoy these as an appetizer or another main dish. See my Grilled Chicken Skewers recipe for more details!