Grilling for Large Groups

5 minute read |

Hosting an event for a group of your favorite people is a great reason to fire up the grill. The biggest  problem is that grilling for a crowd can be difficult. A good trick to utilize for hosting so many people is to grill up simple dishes that are delicious regardless of temperature. Food that is easily accessible for the group whether it is hot, room temperature or even cold, provides your guests with a variety of options and frees them from time constraints plated meals often require.

How many guests will you be hosting?

First and foremost, when planning your menu, you need to know how many mouths you are going to feed. The cost of food increases as you add more mouths, but that shouldn't stop you from throwing a great barbecue and making sure everyone goes home full. Hamburgers, hot dogs, and brats are a great option for those who are looking to host a party, yet remain frugal at the same time!

Grilling for friends and family is manageable as long as you plan accordingly. Cooking for 15 to 30 people right in your own backyard can be done as long as you gather the right materials and give yourself enough time to grill. When grilling for a large group the goal is to offer a menu that is not only easy to grill up, but also one that is tasty and memorable.

When you cook a wide variety of foods, you have a better chance to satisfy all of your guests. For a small gathering, all you should need is a typical gas grill. 

For larger parties, say around 100 people, you may decide to do a classic barbecue menu with such foods as pulled pork, sausages, or other fun favorites like burgers and steaks. 

Grilling Right

Burgers

Find a butcher you trust, order freshly ground meat, and you will never, ever go wrong with a burger. We like ours with 80 percent meat and 20 percent fat, which yields a juicy burger that won't cause flare-ups on the grill when excess grease hits the coals.
 
Why It's Good for Groups of All Sizes: The ultimate crowd-pleaser cooks quickly, doesn't need to be grilled at different temperatures and will set you back just a few bucks a person for a hefty half-pound burger.

Sausages

Sausages are a specialty at the Meat Hook, where they churn out links in flavors like "French Onion" (with caramelized onions and Swiss cheese) and Banh Mi (with pickled carrots, cilantro, and hoisin sauce). Pick up a variety at your butcher or supermarket, grab some buns and toppings, and let people make their own hot dogs.
 
Why It's Good for Groups of All Sizes: Young loves to throw sausages on the grill because they're low-maintenance, easy to share, and a total crowd-pleaser. Plus, you'll be hard-pressed to find a better bang for your buck. Have a few going on the grill as the afternoon or evening progresses and everyone will be well-fed and happy.

Porterhouse

A sizable chunk of buttery tenderloin is what sets thick, luscious porterhouses apart from other T-bone steaks. This steakhouse favorite also sports the flavorful NY Strip. A porterhouse typically clocks in at around two to three pounds for a 2–2½” steak.
 
Why It’s Good for a Small Group: With a smaller group, you have more time and focus to dedicate to more impressive cuts like a porterhouse, Young says. Grill a couple of these to share, and whether your guests prefer the chewier strip or tenderer filet, everyone will find something they love.
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