You’ve got the recipes for Hawaiian Burgers, Grilled Potato Kebabs and Berry Skillet Pies all ready to go, but how do you put it all together for your friends and family? I’ve made a party guide just for you, right here. If you want to see how I pulled it all together, come inside my dining room and join the party:
My party philosophy is simple. Do what makes you feel the most comfortable. If you’re having fun, your guests will, too. If you love to make elaborate table-scapes and go all out on party planning, don’t let me stop you! But, if all of that causes a little bit of stress and is preventing you from having people over more often, then pull out the paper napkins and solo cups and keep it chill. The only required elements for a party are people. Add food and drinks to the equation and you’re one step ahead of the game!
In this party, I did do a little decorating with a few things I found at Target. A table runner, matching napkins, a few candles in mason jars, some fresh rosemary from a bush in the backyard that won’t die. It wasn’t expensive, but it was a little more than my average Sunday evening.
You’ll see we also busted out the sparklers much to the glee and nervousness of our younger party goers. I did make a few modifications in the menu especially for them including smaller sized burgers on slider buns and Oreo ice cream sandwiches for dessert.
Want to throw this party for yourself, including the menu?
Here’s the Grills Only Party Shopping List for download.
And if you want the play-by-play of my prep schedule, follow the timeline below!
The #GRILLSONLY Party Guide
Two Days Before, go shopping (print shopping list)
Day Before Prep:
- Clean the grill
- Decide if the meal will be buffet, family-style or plated and decide where you’ll set up the drinks
- If there are kids, pre some sort of activity for them in a place where they can have fun (coloring station, water games, etc…)
- Make pie crust dough and cover with cling wrap to chill overnight
Morning Of Prep:
- Form Burger Patties – refrigerate until the party starts
- Slice Onions and Pineapples – refrigerate until the party starts
- Wash your lettuce and separate leaves
- Par-boil and skewer red potatoes and refidgerate until the party starts
- Make the garlic lemon marinade for the potatoes and set aside
- Make the green goddess Fage dipping sauce for the potatoes, cover and refrigerate
- Wash mixed berries
- Set the table runner, napkins, plates, glassware, serveware, etc…
Afternoon Prep:
- Make the berry filling for the pies, roll out the dough, and prep the pies so they are ready to bake. Keep in the refrigerator until ready to bake.
30 Minutes Before Guests Arrive:
- Preheat the Grill
- Pull the potatoes, beef patties, pineapple and onions out of the fridge to take off the chill
15 Minutes Before Guests Arrive:
- Set out beverages and fill ice into coolers, if using
- Set out appetizers, if serving. Fresh fruit kabobs or a cheese plate are great ideas here
- Set out all of your burger accoutrement (black bean sauce, mayo, cheese, lettuce, buns)
Once all (or most) of your guests have arrived and are noshing on apps or sipping on drinks, you’ll want to cook the burgers, the kebabs, the pineapple and the sweet onion, in that order. If you’re able to fit all of them on the grill, the burgers will take longest, the onions the shortest.
From there, assemble your burgers, plate up the potatoes and get the dipping sauce out of the fridge and let everyone know that dinner is on!
*If you want to supplement the meal with other dishes, think a simple green salad or sliced fruit, like watermelon.
As everyone finishes up their burgers and taters, fire up the grill again (unless you left it going while you ate…that’s up to you). I also fire up the coffee pot with decaf coffee and get out half and half and sugar. Then bake the pies according to the recipe. You will want them to cool at least 15 to 20 minutes as they are near molten when they come off the grill. Serve a la mode with coffee.
From there, enjoy your evening with your guests. We’re total nerds and are notorious for pulling out board games. A current favorite is One Night Werewolf.
If you do host this party, or take me up in the challenge in the video, be sure to tag me! I want to see YOU party!
