This Post is sponsored by Mirum, All opinions are my own.
Whether you are hosting a houseful for a summer BBQ celebration or merely grilling for your close family in the backyard, we all know it can get hectic for the hostess both while prepping for the party and while entertaining everyone! I am ALL about making my life easier whenever we host family and friends and I’m going to share fifteen of my very favorite Summer BBQ tips and tricks with you!!
You will LOVE these inexpensive and time-saving Summer BBQ hacks!! Preventative measures like taking the Omeprazole ODT help to ensure you don’t get heartburn and you can make the most of your time with your loved ones so that you can enjoy your Summer BBQ!
15 Summer BBQ Tips and Tricks
1.) Boil corn with butter, milk, and sugar.
Have you tried boiling your corn with butter, milk, and sugar? It tastes incredible and is so easy to do! After putting the ears of corn in the pot, add 1 cup milk, ¼ cup sugar, and 1 stick of butter (salted or unsalted). Then, fill up your pot with water and boil as you normally would. The taste cannot be beaten! Whenever guests ask about my secret to flavorful boiled corn, they are so surprised and delighted to hear my reply! I know your guests will love it, too.
2.) Take heartburn medicine!
I have shared before with you all that I have struggled with heartburn frequently, and I KNOW that I am not alone because store brand Omeprazole Orally Disintegrating Tablets (ODT) commissioned the “Beating the Holiday Burn” survey of 2,000 Americans and found that nearly HALF (47 percent to be exact!) noted that quintessential summer foods like hot dogs, ice cream, and lemonade contribute to heightened heartburn! Many of you have said you struggle, too!
In the past, I would just smile and host through the pain! You all know that when one is a busy mom, running errands all week and planning all the details of an event, sometimes one more thing – like getting a glass of water to take a pill – just gets sent to the bottom of the list and doesn’t end up happening. SO, I didn’t take care of my heartburn and suffered because of it!
BUT, then I found Omeprazole ODT! They dissolve in your mouth WITHOUT water, so they are super quick and convenient to take, just take one tablet each morning. It is amazing to me how cutting out one step (having to take a pill with water) makes the habit of taking this dissolvable tablet so much easier. All I do is start a few days before I host a BBQ and take one once a day for 14 days. The strawberry flavor tastes great, too.
Lastly, we all want a great deal, and this Omeprazole ODT is a STORE BRAND!! You do NOT have to pay the expensive national brand price!
Whenever I know I’ll be hosting a Summer BBQ, I am sure to have Omeprazole ODT on hand. Just use as directed for 14 days to treat frequent heartburn (occurring 2 or more days a week). It may take 1-4 days for full effect, so it’s not intended for immediate relief. My guests are so important to me, but how I feel while I’m hosting is important to me, too! You will love this easy, affordable solution to frequent heartburn!
Disclaimer: Use as directed for 14 days to treat frequent heartburn (occurring 2 or more days a week). May take 1-4 days for full effect. Not intended for immediate relief.
3.) Create a sunscreen station!
We have a large backyard and inevitably, people forget to bring their sunscreen. It’s so handy to have a sunscreen station available so people feel welcomed to apply the community sunscreen without having to feel like they’re imposing to ask for some. I would hate for a guest to feel the need to leave early because they were worried about a sunburn. This simple solution solves that problem! Be sure to include a few different SPFs for those who prefer all levels of sun protection.
4.) Use an onion on your grill.
Even after cleaning your grill, there are still so many tiny burned particles of food on the grates! One way to help remove them is with an onion! Simply cut an onion in half and ‘clean’ your grates with it as your grill is heating up. Bonus: it will help flavor your meat and veggies!
5.) Plan how much food to fix ahead of time.
Before going to the grocery store, plan exactly how much you’ll need of each ingredient. This will eliminate last-minute trips to the store for extra dip or drinks! (It also eliminates extra money spent over-buying!) I always allow for ¼ cup of dip per person, 1 ½ cups of chips, 1-2 hamburgers, 1-2 hot dogs, ½ cup of potato salad, ½ cup of coleslaw, and ½ cup of baked beans. I plan for 2 cookies or brownies, 2 slices of watermelon, and 2 cans of soda. This formula has worked every time for me!
6.) Clean your grill right when you’re done using it.
A warm grill is much easier to clean than a cool one! Furthermore, it’s always better to walk up to a clean space to grill on the next time, rather than worry about having to clean up the last meal’s mess before cooking.
7.) Create no-sew fabric napkins!
Create festive + reusable napkins by cutting fabric into 16” squares with pinking shears. They’re super simple to make, because there’s no need to sew! They add a pop of eco-friendly color to your tablescape and may be reused after washing. It’s SO fun to experiment with different fabric patterns for different occasions and seasons!
8.) Pre-scoop ice cream for floats!
I love to pre-scoop my ice cream for our root beer and cola floats. It eliminates both the need to thaw the ice cream while my guests are waiting to be served dessert AND a sore arm while I’m scooping quickly for a crowd! You can either store the scooped ice cream in muffin tins or, scoop directly into the float serving cups arranged on a freezer-safe tray. When you’re serving a group, prepare as MUCH as you can ahead of time, and it will make your event go all the more smoothly.
9.) Create a clean hand corral.
With a large crew of all ages running around in the backyard, it is so convenient to have extra hand-cleaning supplies all in one place. Paper towels and wet wipes are GOLD when there are kiddos and barbecue sauce involved!! Stay organized and make it easy for your guests to keep their hands clean! Be sure to include a small trash right next to the space, too, for the used paper towels and wipes.
10.) Plan seating ahead of time!
If you’ll be hanging out in your backyard and don’t have adequate seating for your group, ask your guests to bring a camping chair ahead of time! You may want to tell them both when you invite them as well as the day before your event. This will avoid last-minute texts (and last-minute loading chairs in the car for your guests!) an hour beforehand!
11.) Make your trash can cute!
Though it’s a necessity when grilling with a crowd, I really don’t like an unsightly trash can! To remedy this, simply cut a slit in the middle of a $1 plastic tablecloth and stretch it over the lip of the trash can. You can customize this idea to any outdoor event you have!
12.) Go green with your centerpieces!
Potted plants are a lovely centerpiece and are easy on the budget, too! It’s super quick to cover up the plastic base of the plant with butcher paper, wrapping paper, or fabric. Simply cut a large circle of paper or fabric to size around the base of your plant pot, and bring up the paper/fabric around the edges. Tie with a ribbon, yarn, twine, or thin rope to keep it in place. You can either buy mini plants from the store for only a few dollars each OR shop your home if you already have potted plants on display! I love using fresh herbs like mint and rosemary. After your event, remove the paper or fabric and enjoy planting!
13.) Avoid melting ice cream cones!
Drop a mini marshmallow in the bottom of an ice cream to keep melting ice cream from dripping out the point at the bottom! It’s a fun surprise for the kiddos to find, too!
14.) Preheat long enough!
You must preheat your grill long enough for the grates to get super hot! This will ensure you create the classic grill marks on your burgers, steaks, and hot dogs. Preheat at least 15-20 minutes.
15.) Marinate the proper amount of time!
Everyone knows that marinating the meat before grilling makes it extra flavorful. But, did you know that you should never over-marinate? If you marinate too long, it can toughen your meat if you marinade is highly acidic. All types and cuts of meat are different, so double-check how long the meat truly needs to marinate before you leave it in the fridge overnight!
I’m SO excited for you to try these 15 Summer BBQ Tips and Tricks! I know they’ll make your summer go more smoothly! You’ll be able to be more present and better enjoy those priceless moments with your family and friends. These special ideas will help your guests feel even more at home and help them have the most memorable time ever, heartburn free!
