Planning a BBQ party can be a lot of work, but with the right approach, you can keep it simple and stress-free. Here’s my go-to BBQ guide to help you organize an epic gathering while saving time and effort.
Meat Dishes (Soak your skewers for at least an hour to avoid burning)
- Lamb Skewers: A must-have for any BBQ. You can make 60-70 skewers from a single leg of lamb from Costco, depending on your preferred portion size. I like to cut mine to about the size of a finger joint.
- The age-old debate: to marinate or not? I’m a firm believer that lamb benefits from some seasoning. As my dad always says, “Salt brings out flavor,” so I like to lightly marinate the meat.
- Use about 1% salt by weight, mix in some onion chunks and egg whites, and start skewering, alternating lean and fatty pieces. The lamb absorbs the flavors during the process, so no need for a long marinade.
- Beef and Bell Pepper Skewers: Season with 1% salt, a bit of soy sauce, garlic powder, onion slivers, a pinch of baking soda (less than 1/8 tsp per pound), and a touch of sugar. For variety, you can also marinate the beef in a Korean BBQ sauce.
- Alternate beef with bell peppers and onion chunks on the skewers for colorful, flavorful results.
- Chicken Wings: Score the surface and marinate overnight with 0.9-1% salt, honey, green onion, ginger, garlic powder, and rice wine. This base flavor can be adjusted with different sauces during grilling, like sweet or spicy options. You can also try a New Orleans-style marinade.
- Hot Dogs: Simple but always a crowd-pleaser. You can score the surface for a more refined presentation.
- Lamb Chops: Marinate overnight with 0.9% salt, cumin powder, chili powder, and coriander seed powder.
- Shrimp and Asparagus Skewers: An easy, light option—alternate shrimp with asparagus chunks on skewers.
- Oysters: Clean and shuck them ahead of time.
- Octopus/Squid: Skewer and baste while grilling. Use a garlic seafood sauce or dilute Korean spicy sauce with sesame oil for basting.
- Pork Belly Skewers: Slice thin, no need to marinate. Just grill and season with chili, cumin, or your favorite spicy sauce.
- Pork Ribs: Best pre-marinated (similar to the chicken wing recipe). Cook in the oven at 300°F for 1.5 hours, then finish on the grill with BBQ or Korean sauce for 10-15 minutes.
These are some of our favorites, but feel free to experiment with scallops or braised pig trotters as well.
Vegetables (Soak your skewers for at least an hour to avoid burning)
- Mushrooms
- Whole eggplant
- Firm tofu or tofu skin
- Broccoli/Cauliflower
- Potato slices
- Mini bell peppers
- Scallion tofu rolls
- Zucchini
- Asparagus
Main Dishes
- Corn on the cob
- Steamed bun slices
- Gluten sticks
Snacks/Side Dishes/Fruits
- Smashed cucumber salad
- Pineapple
- Watermelon
- Strawberries
- Marshmallows (perfect for roasting!)
For sides, aim for fresh, light options to balance out the richness of grilled meats. For a non-Asian twist, consider serving tortilla chips with guacamole.
Drinks/Water
Bring whatever you like—this part is flexible! We usually grab whatever’s available.
Seasonings & Sauces
- Spicy red oil + green onion-infused oil: A versatile combo that enhances almost any grilled item.
- Garlic seafood sauce: Heat garlic in oil, then mix with soy sauce, oyster sauce, and sliced chili. Perfect for oysters or eggplant.
- Thinned BBQ sauce: Dilute with water for easy brushing. Works well on tofu, shrimp, wings, and steamed bun slices.
- Dry spices: Salt, cumin powder, cumin seeds, coarse chili flakes (both spicy and non-spicy), and sesame seeds. I recommend coarser textures for a more satisfying crunch—whole cumin seeds are a game-changer.
- Green onions: Great for topping oysters or grilled eggplant.
- Other sauces: Feel free to bring your favorite mango habanero, Korean gochujang (diluted with sesame oil), or any BBQ or teriyaki sauces you enjoy. For New Orleans-style wings, add some honey thinned with oil.
Equipment
- Charcoal (Costco has the best deals!)
- Tongs for food and charcoal
- Fire starters (Royal Oak Tumbleweeds from Walmart work great)
- Chimney starter (Expert Grill Chimney from Walmart)
- Long-handled lighter (a must!)
- Heat-resistant gloves
- Brushes for basting sauces (one for each sauce)
- Disposable grill toppers (Walmart’s Expert Grill 3-pack is perfect for big gatherings, and it’s more hygienic to bring your own grill top when using public BBQ stations)
- Sanitizing wipes and wet wipes
- Disposable utensils and napkins
- Trash bags
- Aluminum foil and a small knife (just in case!)
Most of these items can be found in one trip to Walmart or Home Depot, making shopping a breeze.
Grilling Tips
Get the food on the grill, brush with oil, and cook until nearly done before adding seasoning. If you’re hosting a large party, pre-skewer some items at home, but also leave some ingredients unskewered so guests can join in and help with the prep.
Have fun grilling!