Published: 12 August 2024

It’s August. We’re in the UK. And the weather has been… well… pretty OK-ish, actually. And that can mean only one thing: It’s time for a barbeque! We don’t get many opportunities to break out the charcoal, so when we do, we want to get it right. So, what do you need to stage a brilliant British barbeque? Here are our top tips.

How to Plan the Ultimate Summer Barbeque

Be prepared

The perfect BBQ should have a perfectly chilled out vibe. To achieve that, you have to put in a whole lot of groundwork! So, to avoid stress and disappointment on the day, be prepared.

  • Make a list of everything you need – Food, drinks, plates, wet wipes, kitchen roll, seating, things you need to do, and who you need to contact.
  • Issue invites – Making sure that you know of everyone’s dietary requirements. The words ‘vegan’ and vegetarian’ typically send a thrill of horror through the average omnivorous barbequer. But delicious vegan and vegetarian barbeques are completely possible. You just have to cook the vegan stuff first, or use a separate grill – a disposable supermarket grill will do an amazing job. But more importantly still, you need to be aware of any food allergies amongst your guests.
  • Clean off your grill – You may well have cleaned your grill after you last used it. That’s great, it’s what you’re meant to do. But it’s also important to give it a good wipe down before each use too. Just to pick up any bits you’ve missed, and to remove any dust and debris that may have settled in the meantime. Don’t forget to check your charcoal supply, matches, and other necessary bits and pieces. Then pre-heat your grill for at least 20 minutes before you’re ready to start cooking. Most important of all – place your BBQ somewhere that kids aren’t going to accidentally run into it.

Top barbeque food ideas

Sausages and burgers will always be the British barbeque favourites. And they will always be the easy option if you need to feed kids. But if you want a break from the norm, here are a few other suggestions to give your tastebuds a treat.

  • Sticky chicken – Marinade some drumsticks in a soy and honey glaze before barbequing and you’ll have queues forming for the next lot off the coals. Delicious and cost-effective.
  • Chicken souvlaki – This is pretty much a posh word for a chicken kebab, but it’s very much worth the effort. You can amp up the flavour with your own choice of marinade – we’d recommend the BBC’s recipe. Just don’t forget the tzatziki, flatbreads, and salad for the authentic Greek experience.
  • Sticky pork ribs – Pre-bake your ribs in a bath of cola. Mix up a sauce made from ketchup, brown sugar, soy sauce, paprika, and chilli flakes, and coat the cooked ribs. Leave them in the fridge to marinade for a couple of hours, then barbeque.

Vegan and vegetarian barbeque ideas

Barbequing for vegetarians and vegans is really easy these days. Just pop to the vegan section of your local supermarket and you’ll be blown away by the choice. And what’s more, most of the vegan burgers and sausages are pretty good. But there are other things you can do too.

  • For the vegetarians, halloumi makes an incredible BBQ option. You can grill it as is for a salty sensation. Or you can dress it in chipotle for a spicier flavour. Stick it in a burger bun with chilli jam and salad.
  • For the vegans, tofu can be great to work with. For best results, squeeze the water out and marinate it in a dressing for half an hour before cooking. Teriyaki or plain old BBQ sauce both make good options, but there are no end of others around. Sprinkle with sesame seeds, and frazzle over foil.
  • And don’t forget the veg for all guests. There’s simply no beating barbequed corn on the cob. And veggie skewers with slices of courgette, onion, pepper, and mushroom, are incredible when drizzled with garlic balsamic.
  • Stuffed peppers – whether veggie or meat-filled – are also an amazing BBQ option.

Stick out some sides

Balancing food prep for BBQs can be tricky. So, to fill the hungry gap while everyone is waiting, we recommend putting out a table of sides and nibbles.

  • Salads – Potato, coleslaw, leafy.
  • Fillers – Bread and butter, breadsticks, cheese straws, cheese strings for the kids.
  • Fruit – We love watermelon slices because they’re cooling, tasty, and satisfying, but they’re not hugely filling while you’re waiting for the main event. But summer fruits can also be a good option.  
  • Drinks – Plenty of water, and a selection of juices. If kids are going to be present, keep the more grownup drinks supervised and inside.
  • Barbeques can be a fabulous way to spend a summers afternoon. You don’t have to go big – bangers and burgers can work amazingly well. And sometimes simple is better. But whatever you do, plan a head, make a list, and make sure that there’s food aplenty for everyone!

Not sure you can face the effort of a BBQ? Why not head to Holker Hall for a pizza and pint at our pop-up pub, The Bess & Barrel? Here every Saturday of the summer.