My Birthday BBQ with our Weber Grill
After one of the longest winters ever, the warm temperatures this past week has felt like its own reason to celebrate. Pair that with my 32nd birthday, and we pretty much had to throw a party!
Luckily, our outdoor space got a major upgrade this Spring thanks to our new Weber Grill. It has has been so much fun to fire it up when it’s just Adam and I for dinner, so we thought it would be fun to test it out for guests, too! Needless to say, once we found out my brother would be in town for work, we invited my whole family over for a Birthday BBQ.
PS. This Everlane jumpsuit is perfect for something like this – comfy, cute, and lightweight enough for summer!
Honestly, this little celebration convinced me that grilling is THE BEST way to entertain. I hate being stuck in the kitchen when we have people over, and having a grill totally solves that problem! I prepped our skewers before my family arrived, and we hung out with everyone on the porch while they cooked. Add some chips and easy sides (ask your guests to bring those), and you’ve got a party!
An Easy Foolproof Menu for a Birthday BBQ
Grilled Skewers with Peppers, Onions, and Chicken Sausage
This recipe couldn’t be easier and it’s such a crowd pleaser. I like chicken sausage, but you could also get regular pork sausage or turkey sausage – whatever you prefer!
- Cut peppers, onions, and pre-cooked chicken sausage into generous bite sized pieces. Thread each one onto the skewers until you have enough for your guests.
- Brush each skewer with olive oil.
- Grill over medium-high heat for about 4 minutes, and then flip the skewers and cook for another 4-5 minutes.
Snacks
There’s something about being outside on a deck that feels more casual than your typical dinner party. Don’t be afraid to set out simple snacks! I got Trader Joe’s White Truffle Potato Chips (the best!), but you could also set out chips and salsa, chopped jicama sticks (another TJ’s find!) with guacamole, or make a cheese board!
Grilled Nectarines with Vanilla Ice Cream
I’m not a big cake person, so we utilized the grill for dessert, too! To be honest, I was originally looking for peaches, but the nectarines were far more ripe. They’ll both only get better as Summer continues though!
- Cut nectarines (or peaches) in half and take the pit out.
- Brush the fruit with a little bit of melted butter. You can also use a vegan alternative like Earth Balance.
- Place the fruit, cut side down, on the grill over medium-high heat. Grill for about 4 minutes or until grill marks appear.
- Turn the nectarines over and grill for another 3 or 4 minutes.
- Serve over vanilla ice cream – and a candle for the birthday girl! ?
Side Dishes
The key to a stress-free party is to make your side dishes before the party, or ask your guests to bring them! One of the biggest benefits of grilling is that you can hang out with your guests the whole time – so don’t like side dishes take you away! Here are a few ideas if you’re stuck:
Chilled Rosé, Beer, and Spirits
Beer is kind of a no brainer when it comes to BBQs, but if you’re like me, I’ll always prefer a glass of rosé to a can of beer… so why not have both available?! Pick up a mid-priced bottle (I got mine at Trader Joe’s!) and make sure it’s in the fridge a few hours before your party. We also like to have whiskey and vodka on hand when we have guests over, just in case!
If you read my post all about how we picked out our new grill, you know that safety was at the top of our list. And now, after using it to cook dinner for the two of us AND entertain my whole family, I’m so glad we prioritized that.
It’s so nice to have so much control with our Weber Grill. Not only do we control the heat, but their GS4 Grilling System uses special channels to funnel grease directly into the removable drip tray underneath. I’m such a worrier, so I love that it takes grease concerns out of the equation!
Grill: c/o Weber Grills | Skewers: Amazon | Platter: Crate & Barrel | Jumpsuit: c/o Everlane (I’m wearing a size 0 and it’s SO comfy!)
*This post was sponsored by Weber Grills, but (as always) all opinions are my own. Thank you for supporting the companies that make Lake Shore Lady possible!
PS. You might also like How We Picked Out Our Weber Grill and Another Year Older.
