Enjoy Stress Free Summer Cooking with These 10 Grilling Tips and a Trip to Swiss Farms!

Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Swiss Farms and may contain affiliate links.  All opinions are my own.

swiss farms grill 2

If you are anything like me, then there is nothing quite like throwing together a last minute summer BBQ with friends – hanging out on the deck and enjoying each others company.  There is something especially fun with the idea of hosting a gathering with minimal planning and whipping up quick, tasty meals in minutes.

Either way, whether you are hosting a shindig with friends or simply preparing a nice, quaint summer meal for your family, quick and easy is the way to go!

Here are just a few grilling tips and menu ideas for making your next backyard gathering a smashing yet stress-free event :

swiss farms grilling morePhoto credit: Swiss Farms

1.  Beat the grocery lines and save precious time by heading to Swiss Farms and placing your order right at the drive up window or ordering directly from your Swiss Farms app.  With everything from bagged ice to propane tanks, lunch meat, BBQ favorites like hamburgers, hotdogs and buns, side dishes and Swiss Premium drinks, Swiss Farms has you covered. Oh how I love my Swiss Farms!{swoon}

2. Stock up on paper products such as paper plates, napkins and disposable cutlery to keep on hand for last minute gatherings.  To save money, purchase these items from the dollar store or during sales at your favorite grocery or discount stores. Best of all – disposable products make clean up a cinch!

3. Add a few of these quick and easy crowd-pleasing recipes (all using items you can pick up at Swiss Farms) to your menu and you will be able to spend minimal time in front of the grill while enjoying more time with your guests.

swissfarms-acasastromboliPhoto credit: Swiss Farms

Strombolis/Pizza
A Casa Stromboli (Breakfast, Buffalo Chicken, Spinach, Pepperoni, Cheese, Steak) $12.99
per 18 inch Stromboli (By the way – if you haven’t tried them yet, this is the time to do it! They are super family friendly and out-of-this-world delicious – A true crowd-pleaser!)
• Grill each Stromboli for 15 minutes
• Flip halfway through for crispy, melty perfection

Amy’s 4-Cheese Pizza for $8.59
• Pre-heat pizza stone for 10 minutes
• Place on low heat, top rack for 15 minutes or until crust is golden brown

Hamburgers/Cheeseburgers
Bubba Burgers, 2lb box of 6 patties for $13.99
Stroehmann Hamburger Buns, 8 pack for $2.50
Stroehmann Dutch Country Potato Hamburger Rolls, 8 pack for $3.79
Dietz & Watson Sliced Baby Swiss, 8 oz. for $3.99
Dietz & Watson Sliced Yellow Cheddar, 8 oz. for $3.29
• Grill frozen patty 5 to 7 minutes each side until cooked
• Top with desired cheese
• Place burger in hamburger bun

Hot Dogs
Dietz & Watson Hot Dogs, 1 lb. package of 8 beef franks for $3.99
Stroehmann Hot Dog Buns, 8 pack for $2.50
Stroehmann Dutch Country Potato Hot Dog Rolls, 8 pack for $3.49
• Pre heat grill to medium-high heat
• Cook hotdog for 3-4 minutes until golden brown or a couple minutes longer if you
prefer slightly crispy franks

swissfarms-turkey-sandwichPhoto credit: Swiss Farms

Grilled Sandwiches
Dietz & Watson Originals Picante Provolone Cheese, 8 oz. for $3.99
Dietz & Watson Originals Genoa Salami, 4 oz. for $5.99
Dietz & Watson Originals Black Forest Ham, 7 oz. for $4.99
Dietz & Watson Originals Oven Roasted Turkey Breast, 7 oz. for $4.99
Dietz & Watson Roast Beef Slices, 7 oz. for $6.49
• Dress sandwich with desired deli meats or cheeses
• Place on grill for 3 minutes on each side over a low flame

Grilled Pineapple with Honey
Full Circle Organic Honey, 12 oz. for $3.99
Swiss Farms Fresh Cut Pineapple, 6 oz. container for $3.59
• Skewer fruit and brush fruit with honey
• Grill several minutes, turning until lightly charred

4. If your BBQ is a planned event, choose side dishes that you can prepare in advance.  This will cut back on unnecessary stress and food prep so you can greet your guests and enjoy time with them when they arrive. If you do not have time to prep, Swiss Farms has ready made side dishes and salads as well as chips, pretzels, salsa, dips and more -ready made and waiting for pick up!

5. In order to grill meats and poultry faster, partially cook on stove top and finish on the grill.  (I do this all the time with chicken legs and thighs).  It helps you get that BBQ deliciousness in less time.

6. Soft coolers and insulated bags are a great (and portable) way to add some ice or ice packs and keep your food cold until you are ready to use. I love that soft coolers are especially easy to fold and store.  Swiss Farms sells a soft cooler that is perfect for this! Their cooler is also great for heading to the pool, beach, potluck or park for a picnic.

7. Grill safely!  Wash your hands frequently while handling food, especially raw products. Use fresh plates to serve cooked meats and fish. Use a meat thermometer to check the doneness of meats to be sure they are thoroughly cooked. Keep cold food cold. And be sure to keep children away from the hot surfaces.

Swiss farms grillingPhoto credit: Swiss Farms

8. Keep your forks away from the grill! Always use tongs and spatulas for flipping meats. By doing so, you will keep necessary juices trapped inside the meat, allowing for a juicier, more delicious finished product.

9. Clean your grill while it is still warm.  Use a grill cleaner or brush (such as this awesome wooden grill scraper that I love) to rub off any food debris.  It is much easier to clean while the grates are still warm as food particles tends to slide off much easier.  Always clean the grill after cooking, allowing for a clean surface the next time you are ready to grill.  Also using tin foil or tin pans are other ways of cutting back on debris and making clean up quick and simple.

 10. Set the mood!  Liven up your meal with some lively music, some pretty candles or flowers and comfy seating for your guests or family.  It’s easy to run around the house and gather a few things you already have on hand or head to your garden and cut a few fresh flowers to put in a mason jar, glass or tin can.  Adding some ambiance does not have to be expensive – just use your imagination!

Last but not least – kick back, relax and enjoy!  Grilling and outdoor cookouts do not have to be complicated or stressful to transform into an amazing event.  Keep it simple – and you will have more time to enjoy the best part of all – laughter, great company and delicious food!

Cheers!



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