Summer is slipping between our fingers.
As September approaches and the kids head back to school, we are confronted with the reality that oh no! Summer is almost over. How is fall coming so quickly? Did we make the most of the season? Do not worry; there is still time to enjoy the last days of summer. We cannot think of a better way than a good, old-fashioned cookout: great food, fun games, and quality time with the people you love. Whether celebrating Labor Day or getting together with family & friends, Dream Dinners has everything you need for the perfect end-of-summer cookout. From cookout meals to grill tips to fun cookout games, we’ve got you covered.
End-of-Summer Cookout Meals
Summer cookouts are made perfect by the delicious food you serve family and friends. Luckily, we have plenty of August menu items that were made for the perfect cookout.
Grilled Chicken Caesar Sandwiches
Fire up the grill for this Dream Dinners Top Seller! Tender chicken breasts are taken from a savory marinade, grilled to perfection, then placed on brioche buns with a creamy Caesar spread, complete with garlic and Parmesan cheese.
Peach Bourbon Chicken
Nothing says “summer” quite like grilled chicken and peaches (August is National Peach Month!). This delicious combination of peach, ginger, and garlic makes this sauce truly amazing on the grill.
Asian Sticky Ribs
These smoked and marinated ribs topped with a hoisin, lime, sesame oil and honey sticky glaze are the perfect way to close out summer. Pair with fresh corn on the cob also cooked on the grill.
Chef Laura’s Grill Tips
To ensure you have a genuinely perfect end-of-summer cookout, here are some essential grilling tips to make for a successful day.
- Scrape down your grill with a metal brush.
- Touch your food as little as possible, and let the grill do the work!
- Let meat come to temperature 30 minutes before grilling.
- Every grill is different; be sure to learn yours.
- Don’t press down on the food!
- Let your meat rest in foil for 5-10 minutes to absorb all of the juices.
End-Of-Summer Cookout Games
Play these easy, family-friendly games at your cookout, and everyone will have a blast!
Blow up the inflatable pool rings for this hilarious spin on a classic backyard game. Try to toss the giant rings around a chosen family member. Have a little prize for whoever can stack up the most giant rings to make things extra fun.
Bags (AKA cornhole) is a backyard classic that you almost have to have at your cookout. The best part about this game is it is cheap to find, easy to set up, and people can casually play while continuing to mingle! This is a great game to have out for anyone to participate during your day in the backyard.
- Limbo
Remember playing this game as a child? Well, we are here to tell you it is JUST as fun as an adult! Have limbo set up in the backyard so that everyone can play. The kids will have just as much fun as the adults with this one, mainly because they’ve got the winning advantage!
A cookout is a great way to soak up the last of summer and spend quality time with family and friends. Make sure you place a Dream Dinners order so you can spend less time cooking for your party and more time enjoying your party!