Post Wedding BBQ Menu Help

Alc, congratufuckinlations. Maybe you should have a conversation with your own family about food safety? Because everyone else goes to/throws cookouts all the time without getting sick or dying.

@GymRat: I'm saying, you trying to make a trip to Jersey or nah? Lol.

And you're right. What I'm thinking now is having the sides catered. And just firing up the grill for the meats and veggie options. My uncles are amazing on the grill and just enjoy it. My aunt is not going to let me cater potato salad because she thinks hers is the best.

The only time I ever got sick off of food was at a resturant. I have been to many BBQ events and never an issue. If you got ill off of family cookouts then its the way they are doing it. This girl is not self catering her reception and this is a post wedding event her family is hosting in her honor for her family not a group of guests.

@GymRat can you post your mac and cheese recipe I need a good one.

You can get vegetarian baked beans, veggie burgers, potato salad made with greek yogurt, I suggest looking up ideas on pintrest

@Chivy: pretty much!! That wasn't even a concern of mine.

If I was going to cook food for a BBQ I would probably make a variation of sides like Mac & Cheese, Potato Salad, Coleslaw, grilled corn on the cob, Watermelon/Orzo salad, fried Okra, etc....I'd also make some kind of protein like BBQ Chicken or Pulled Pork (don't forget BBQ sauce and buns to make sandwiches. Just be careful leaving the food outside for long periods of time!

If you're looking for a catering options for certain dishes, maybe try Famous Dave's they're a large BBQ chain in the Northeast. I don't think there is anything wrong with having an intimate family BBQ where your family cooks, as long as they don't mind. They may not realize how tired they'll be afterward the wedding, but if they offered don't see why you can't take them up on it. Plus, I have people in my family who love to host and cook all the time and don't mind at all. As for food ideas pulled pork, various kinds of salads, corn on the cob, veggie skewers and bean burgers. I mean you can pretty much grill any veggie.

How about some chickens, which can be prepped and marinated the day before the wedding? Grilled Portobello mushrooms for the vegetarians, and grilled veggie skewers for everyone. The skewers could also be prepped the day before the wedding with things like bell peppers, eggplant, squash, zucchini, grape tomatoes, onions. Grilled corn on the cob would also be easy. Then maybe you could have the sides catered, or do a simple side like Mac and cheese that can be put together beforehand and just reheated before you eat.

Cooking for 30 people is easy peasy! My family gets together several times a year and there is over 50- no problem if that is what you are used to! As far as menu, you have so many options! If your family are griller's I suggest slow smoking pork shoulders. They feel a lot and are super delish! Add some baked beans, mac and cheese and cole slaw, and you will be good to go! Order some pies and maybe make some homemade soft serve ice cream and everyone will be over the moon!

Kate, great point about keeping the vegetarian options separate from the meat.

I'm not sure where you are, but Mission BBQ is great they're actually catering my wedding. You can get pick up orders too.

@MnmsMonique: exactly my concern.

@Kate: the grill will need to be cleaned between uses anyway because my fiancé's family doesn't eat pork. So no worries.

@mrsg: yes chicken is on the list. And now vegetables skewers and veggie burgers.

@Karie K: baked beans and Mac & cheese are definitely on the list.

I was thinking a nice fruit salad too for dessert.

Thank you so much everyone. This thread was really helpful. I got some good stuff to take back to my mom.

As a vegetarian, I would suggest you talk to the caterer about non-bacon baked beans. Mac n cheese is a good option, as is salad, cole slaw, and corn. Also, talk to the caterer about veggie burgers/hotdogs. My company had a bbq picnic last year and was able to get a dozen veggie burgers added to the menu for us.