First House Party - Suggestions?

dabrodas · May 2017

Hello Eggers!

I just recently purchased my Large BGE and have had the MiniMax for 2 years now. Got married and bought my first house recently, so we are looking to celebrate with friends and family.

I was hoping to gather your thoughts on what you suggest for fun cooking and for party size of 35-45 people. The BGE will be part of the party, so I want to be able to grill while folks are over hanging out to see what the hype is all about. So really the only thing I didn't want to do was a Butt, since we seem to always bring pulled pork to parties.

Looking for any an all suggestions! I have the woo for the MM and adjustable rig with one slide grate for the Large.

I was was thinking about doing some baby back ribs before the party starts, then pump out chicken wings on the AR after the ribs are done. The other thought was standard BBQ Burgers and Hot Dogs since those go quick.

So a newbie house owner here with two eggs looking for suggestions on a big party cook!

GrillSgt · May 2017

I would do an appetizer or two on the MM. Some type of baked dip, the egg will give them flavor that takes them to a new level.

Theophan · May 2017

I'm a recluse, mostly just cook for me and my wife, a big crowd would include my local family (stepdaughter, son-in-law, 3 tall grandsons) so it'd be a total of 7, so I have no experience with 35-45 people, can't even begin to imagine it. Most of my "fancy," especially wonderful cooks that I'd love to serve as a treat for company would be a colossal PITA for even half that many people. There just aren't that many things I personally have cooked that I could begin to imagine cooking for that many people.

So for what little it may be worth, my thoughts are:

If you are able to smoke 4 or even more racks of ribs, I'd think maybe luscious smoky ribs as a "first course" and then fall back to burgers and dogs to fill people up. It seems to me most people love ribs, and I think the BGE is great with ribs. And burgers and dogs are fast and easy.
You've ruled out pulled pork, which is the most obvious choice to me. So how about pulled beef, then? Either a "standard" sweet BBQ or a pepper stout beef seems like it might be doable for a large crowd.
Marinated flank steaks can be "fancier" than burgers and dogs, but they cook about as quickly, and you could crank out a bunch of those 2 or 3 at a time, slice 'em up, throw on 2 or 3 more... I've made a number of different flank steak recipes, some with a really flavorful rub, some with marinades (similar to teriyaki). You could have several flank steaks all prepped the night before, then grill them hot and fast, repeat as needed.

Hopefully some of those, here, who DO cook for 30-50 people and have some real experience will offer some more knowledgeable idea.

lousubcap · May 2017

Your rib and wing plan sounds good to me. You may want to make up some ABT's as well. Depending on the makeup of the crowd (adults and kids) dogs are a kid pleaser. Can't go wrong with burgers done up on charcoal.
Above all, have fun and enjoy the party. Don't become slaved to the BGE's.

Ladeback69 · May 2017

There are so many ways to go, but I would make sure most of your cooking is done before everyone gets there so you have time to mingle. If you want to cook something while everyone is there I would do some pork fatty's and some appetizers like ABT's or chicken wings.

For a New Year's Eve party I did a large pork fatty that was a hit. I did cheese stuffed meatballs, but they were just ok and more work then the fatty. You can put about anything you want in them and they look great when you are cutting them up. Here is what I did.

http://eggheadforum.com/discussion/1190535/nye-app-party-big-hit-pork-fatty

Focker · May 2017

Some good advice, ribs are pretty consistent, could easily be timed within an hour or so, and held if needed. Wings, ABTs, are too, and could be done together indirect, no fussing with the grill, frees you up to visit. A few dogs for the kiddos. Trying not to cook items that require hovering is your best bet. Indirect is your friend.

YEMTrey · May 2017

Eggcelsior · May 2017

Don't forget the ice luge and jungle juice. $5 dollar cover, ladies free?

Hans61 · May 2017

YEMTrey said:

Hans61 · May 2017

My goto's are ribs smoked mac m cheese pork loin sandwiches would also feed a lot of people

Killit_and_Grillit · May 2017

I cook for 10-20 at least once a month and have done quite a few 40+....filler items are your friends.

@lousubcap said it best. Don't become a slave to the cook. Some things can get real time consuming real fast. I can't tell you how many times the last people have left my house and I just finished the last of the clean up and missed the whole thing.

With that many people I would do an assortment of apps and place them around the house if you can. Dip, wings, ABTs, Moink balls, pork sliders, etc. You could do a pork shoulder the day before to make sliders and start the Eggs about 3ish and knock out most of your apps. You may even have time to shower and enjoy yourself (and don't be afraid to shower in the middle of your party I do it all the time)

Use paper plates, make the guests bring booze and desserts, and find yourself a good drink b!tch so your glass is never empty!

fishlessman · May 2017

i would have the pulled pork in the cooler ready before the party starts and cook some easy apps. like some smoked cream cheese, brie, a smoked dip like lobster dip, some green lighting shrimp on short sticks, grilled pineapple etc. no way would i want to smoke the neighborhood out grilling 50/60 burgers. i like easy cooks for parties last one was mussels, clams, lobsters, corn on the cob, smoked cream cheese and crackers. cream cheese was done ahead, couple dozen ears in the husk on the gasser, everything else went int my big outdoor steamer was maybe a half hour of work

hand the burger duty off to someone there to cook for the kids

pull and ribs would be really easy, and you can have a good time without it being time consuming. make the coleslaw a day ahead, maybe even some beans

Gulfcoastguy · May 2017

Maybe a few spatchcocked chickens, they can be prepped ahead of time. I agree with grilled pineapple, there was a thread about marinating pineapple with Fireball then rubbing it with brown sugar. ABTs. There are a lot of recipes on the Dizzy Pig site if you have their rubs.

DoubleEgger · May 2017

Cook brisket. It'll hold FTC for 3-4hrs easy and then you can use the egg to cook apps, wings, spatchcock, etc. Cedar planked salmon would be good choice for the healthy eating crowd. Keep it simple on the apps or you'll spend a ton of time prepping for that many people. You won't be able to enjoy your own party if you're working too hard.

THEBuckeye · May 2017

That's a lot of people. We just had family over - 10 adults, 4 kids and a baby - and I pre-cooked a butt and did two batch's of wings and dogs while everyone was here. While everyone had fun, I found myself attached to the egg and prepping/serving that I didn't have time to visit with everyone as I would have liked.

Do what you wish but you may want to think about cooking as much as you can before 35-45 people show up. I'd go w/ maybe one app (wings?) on the Egg during the party (you'll need an added cooking grid), then enjoy your guests. When you're cooking multiple dishes, you'll be focused on changing the Egg configuration, raising/lowering temps, etc. then worry about cook times and food temps.

You'll have smaller groups where the Egg can be the focus of the party.

Just one Egger's opinion....

BulletGrillHouse · May 2017

We host a memorial party every year, great to cook a brisket and FTC, then cook direct items wings, sausage and ABT's; people like to see the cook

jtcBoynton · May 2017

Cranking out food off the grill in real time for 45 people can be tough. I would buy yourself some party insurance and do a couple of pork butts. Finish them well before the party then hold with FTC. That way, the people that expect to get some of your well know pulled pork will not be disappointed and there will be a protein available even when delivery of your grilled item gets backed up.

As for the real time grilled items, choose items that cook quickly and a lot of individual serving sized pieces can fit on the grill at a time. A variety of different sausages can be fun for your guests.

SciAggie · May 2017

A lot of great advice. The way I read your post you want to be able to grill some stuff just to show off the egg. That being the case, I'd have whatever you want for the main meal already done and FTC or in a warm oven.
I'd do a variety of appetizers on the egg that cook fairly quickly and the guests, as you say, can hang out and see what the hype is about. ABT's are good. I like to take chicken tenders, cut them in three pieces, wrapping each piece in bacon and seasoning with your favorite rub. These are bite sized and cook easily. Baked brie is always a winner - cooks in 10-15 minutes. Meatballs don't take long. You could do up a variety ahead (not cooked) and hold them in the refrigerator then bring them out to cook.

First House Party - Suggestions?

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