A guide for the perfect summer BBQ - Ah, summer... sun, beer and the sense that your neighbors are all hosting a barbecue at some point during the week.
It may seem like all you need for a successful BBQ is to invite your friends and family and get the fire going, but there are things you can do to turn your BBQ party into a memorable event with minimum effort.

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Check the weather - Before you hand out invitations, make sure you check the weather so you're sure everything goes according to plan.

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Guest list - A great BBQ requires planning. Make sure you know how many people you're feeding as that's crucial for when you go food shopping.

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Grocery shopping - Once you know how many people are attending, you can think ahead. When grocery shopping, consider everyone's preferences or requirements—including your veggie friends. Keep it simple and choose two or three different kinds of protein, as it'll make your life easier.

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Portion control - This part can be slightly tricky. You don't want to buy too little food and risk disappointing your guests, but you also don't want to buy too much and end up eating leftovers for weeks. This Food Network article will help you calculate food portions per person.

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Dishware, cups and cutlery - If you're having a few people over, it's quite a bit of a hassle having to wash all the dishes. If you want to avoid that, buy disposable cups and dishware, but always look for those with high percentage of recycled content.

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Meat prep - A great BBQ tip is to marinate the meat up to 24 hours ahead of grilling time—this will assure that it will be both tender and tasty. Mix your favorite spices and herbs and let the meat absorb all those delicious flavors.

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Drinks - BBQ parties often go hand-in-hand with beer, making it a safe drinking choice. But what's even better is a BYOB (Bring Your Own Booze) type of gathering, where people can just bring whatever they fancy drinking. Prepare some refreshing mocktails for the non-alcohol drinkers, which kids will love too.

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Dessert - Since barbecues usually take place in the summer, the ideal dessert should be nice and refreshing. Opt for a big fruit salad or some icy popsicles, which are sure to please all guests.

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Get the right tools - BBQing also requires the right tools. You'll need tongs to handle the meat and to move the charcoal, as well as a meat thermometer that will help you get that steak perfectly cooked every single time.

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Organize fun activities - Lawn activities are entertaining not only for kids, but for adults too! Games like cornhole, bocce and croquet will keep guests entertained while the food is cooking.

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Portable speakers - There's no party without music! Get yourself some portable speakers and prepare a playlist filled with the biggest summer hits as the soundtrack to your BBQ.

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Citronella candles - One annoying thing about summer barbecues is the mosquitoes that can strike after the sun goes down. In order to keep your guests safe from these thirsty little bugs, make sure you light up some citronella candles (which also contribute to the whole atmosphere!).

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Let's get started: the warm-up - Before you fire up your barbecue, rub some oil on the grill (preferably olive oil). This will keep the food from sticking.

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Cooking tips - If you're going for steak, let it sit in the fridge at least 30 min prior to cooking.

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Cooking tips - Also make sure the barbecue grill or hotplate is pipping hot before you cook anything.

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Cooking tips - Season the meat with sea salt, pepper, and any other spices or herbs you may want. Drizzle some oil on the meat before you put it on the heat. 

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Cooking tips - If you're cooking steak, turn it at least four times during the process to ensure the heat is spread throughout. In the case of burgers, try not to press them often as they will release the juices. Chicken needs to look crispy on the outside and be fully cooked around the bones.

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Cooking tips - Ideally, you should have a meat thermometer, but don't panic if you don't. Clover Meadows has shared a few easy tips to know when your steak is ready.

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Side dishes - Prepare a 'salad station,' where you can place side dishes and people can help themselves.

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Cleaning up - Cleaning the grill might be the most annoying part of a BBQ. For a charcoal grill, wait for it to cool down completely before you remove the grate.

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Grill brush - A grill brush will be your best friend during this process. Dip it in warm soapy water to help scrub all the dirt off.

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BBQ recipe ideas - Now that you're all set, all you need are some recipes that are sure to delight your guests! Keep clicking for some yummy ideas.

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BBQ recipe ideas - Burgers are flexible because you can literally add anything you like to the ground beef and tweak it to your taste. Opt for roasted red peppers for an instant flavor boost.

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BBQ recipe ideas - BBQs usually consist of lots of meat, but what about a fish grill for a change? Grilled fish can lead to a lot of fun recipes—yes, everybody is thinking fish tacos.

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BBQ recipe ideas - Vegetarians and vegans, fear not! Everybody knows veggies are a thousand times better when grilled, so make your own skewers by adding all your favorite vegetables. Turn it all up by making a killer salsa to go with them.

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BBQ recipe ideas - Speaking of salsa—homemade sauces are easy to make and much more delicious than store-bought ones. Try making your own chimi churri or sweet BBQ glaze to go with your meat.

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BBQ recipe ideas - Salads are great side dishes in barbecues, but they're even better when you add refreshing elements to them, such as pomegranate seeds or slices of mango. 

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BBQ recipe ideas - A great salad comes with a great dressing. Honey and mustard provides a contrast to the salty protein, while avocado and lime bring on a wonderful creaminess.

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BBQ recipe ideas - A no-kids-allowed party means cocktails are in order. And what says 'summer' better than a glass of Pimm's? Luckily, Good Housekeeping has got our backs covered.

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