Planning to throw the best backyard cookout? Playing host and organizing a backyard cookout to remember is a big task. Gathering your cookout tools, sourcing the table settings, and selecting an easy but crowd-pleasing food menu for guests. A backyard cookout sure is a lot of work.

It is indeed tough, and a lot of effort must be given, but it is worth it. Besides, hosting a backyard cookout is a great chance to gather all your friends and family for food and fun. 

Here are tips and ideas you can use to make your backyard cookout the best!

Prepare Food in Advance

Even though you'll probably cook a few things on the grill, try to get as much ready the night before or the morning of your backyard cookout. Salads are simple to keep on hand, and you can prepare and store side dishes in the refrigerator or a crock pot until the party!

Outdoor Lighting

With a variety of landscape lighting designs, you can continue your cookout even after the sun has set. Invest in concealed outdoor lighting for the entire area if you enjoy hosting outdoor gatherings. Add a post or in-ground lighting to walkways to make them more visible so guests can navigate your backyard. String lights can be hung to produce a festive atmosphere. Alternately, use brighter landscape uplights to completely illuminate the area and radiate warm white light.

Seats for Everyone

How many guests are you expecting at your cookout? If there are only a few people, you might only need a few card tables or a picnic table. Consider getting some benches and big tables if you're hosting a bigger crowd. Even better, include a low table so that guests can use soft pillows to sit on the floor! Better yet, place movable, smaller chairs so your visitors can gather and take a seat wherever they like. 

There's no need to spend money on a brand-new set when simple folding chairs can be rented from most party supply shops.

Decorations

Create the right atmosphere for your backyard barbecue with colorful decorations! Make themed table centerpieces, decorate the area with bright balloons, and display signs or banners inviting guests to your outdoor party. Find tablecloths, napkins, silverware, cups, and plates that go with the surroundings as well!

Be Ready for the Weather and Bugs

The summertime weather can quickly change from a tropical paradise to a tropical storm, but that doesn't mean your celebration has to end. 

Set out a basket with sunscreen, bug repellent, and a few misters if a heat wave is predicted. Set up a sturdy outdoor mat, a shoe rack, and plastic bags right by the door to your home to prepare your entryway for a stampede of guests fleeing a sudden thunderstorm. This will prevent you from having to clean up a mudslide later. In addition to one for shade, it's a good idea to have a few extra umbrellas on hand in case of light rain.

Upgrade Grill Toppings

Everyone enjoys burgers and hot dogs at a cookout, but in the age of foodstagram, it feels a little meh to just pour down some bottles of ketchup and mustard and call it a day. So, step it up and wow your guests with a simple gourmet toppings bar that is modeled after your favorite upscale burger restaurants. 

Set out foods like blue cheese, jalapenos, cabbage slaw, and mango salsa and let guests loose. For purists, substitute butter lettuce or green-leaf lettuce and a variety of heirloom tomatoes for plain iceberg lettuce. It will appear more artistic to guests, and the only preparation required is some cutting. Make your own sauces and marinades for chicken and shrimp if you really want to impress.

Fill the Bar With Mocktails

Be inclusive when setting up the bar at your cookout. Giving guests the option of a mocktail will make everyone happy and delightful, especially those who don't drink. Stock the bar with unscale iced teas and seltzers, and add some fresh fruit garnishes to make it special.

Dietary Restrictions

To satisfy your vegan friends, go beyond by simply grabbing a few tofu dogs. Begin by preparing sides without mayonnaise as the base, like potato salad with olive oil and vinegar. Or a sweet and savory fruit salad with watermelon, mint, and roasted tomatoes. Making a few of your own veggie burger patties will really help you step up your game. They'll always taste better because they're homemade and fresh. 

Be mindful of additional restrictions as well. Provide extra lettuce leaves to serve as buns for people who cannot consume gluten. And add a non-red meat protein to the menu. Seafood is ideal for the upscale cookout. Using the grill to roast salmon or steam clams in a cast-iron pot can have delectable results.

Give Up the Typical Outdoor Activities

Although cornhole is fun, you need to think outside the box to have an indeed upgraded cookout. Install a projector in your backyard to create an outdoor movie theater. You can stream summer blockbusters after the sun goes down or even leave them on low volume all day to serve as the party's background music. 

A Slip 'N Slide can be set up at the best summer cookouts instead of a pool party because even adults enjoy them. Water balloons are also available; just keep them away from the grill.

Provide Party Favors for Guests

Give your guests a memento so they can remember the event! Give out personalized koozies, monogrammed cups, or a small bag of candy. You can give these small favors to guests as they arrive, or place them near the exit so they can take them as they leave.

Conclusion

Things are easier now that you have ideas for throwing a cookout. You'll be able to impress visitors with the menu, keep them occupied during any unexpected storms, and even improve your backyard entertainment. You only have to send invitations at this point.

So hurry up! Grab the charcoal, set up the lighting, and hit play on your playlist. Let yourself and your guests have the best backyard cookout ever!