Barbecue Restaurant-Inspired Menu Ideas For Wedding Receptions
If you and your spouse-to-be love going to barbecue restaurants, consider serving your favorite type of food at your wedding reception. Although a barbecue-inspired menu may sound casual, there are ways that you can work it into an elegant affair as well.
Barbecued foods are versatile in that they can be prepared to accommodate a wide range of tastes and preferences. Take your guests' dietary restrictions into consideration when planning the menu and provide a good selection of vegetarian and gluten-free options as well as the traditional meaty fare.
Depending on the size of your wedding reception, you can either prepare the meals yourself or have them professionally catered by your favorite barbecue restaurant. If you're planning an intimate reception with a small guest list and decide to make the food yourself, use the eatery's offerings as menu inspiration.
One benefit of a barbecue-inspired reception menu is that the main courses can be prepared either indoor kitchen or over an open flame outdoors. For instance, if you're renting a country barn or a pavilion at a national park, you can use grills to prepare the food for an authentic flavor.
Here are some barbecue-inspired menu ideas for your reception.
1. Build-Your-Own-Burger Bar
Not only will a build-your-own-burger bar appeal to friends and loved ones of all ages, they're cost-effective and easy to customize with both classic and gourmet ingredients. Set the bar up buffet-style, and provide both regular beef and meatless patties to accommodate everyone. You can also grill up portobello mushroom caps as another vegetarian and vegan option.
Include buns and all of the traditional condiments and toppings, such as ketchup, mustard, relish, red onions, tomatoes, pickles and lettuce. Fancy fixings include guacamole, sundried tomatoes, blue and brie cheeses, onion rings, fried eggs, homemade pickles, and grilled pineapple rings.
2. Meaty Main Courses
No barbecue-themed menu would be complete without a selection of smoky, grilled meats, such as ribs, marinated chicken breasts, thighs and wings, steaks, and even whole turkeys. Vegetarians can sink their teeth into grilled tempeh, tofu, or hearty vegetable skewers containing mushrooms, squash, peppers, cherry tomatoes, and onions.
Either prepare the the meats made-to-order or family-style on buffet-style tables.
3. Picnic-Inspired Side Dishes
Round out the lunches or dinners with picnic-worthy side dishes, including coleslaw, potato salad, grilled corn on the cob, pasta salad, and various homestyle casseroles. You also can't go wrong with smoky, bacon-flavored green beans, baked beans, mashed potatoes, and a green chopped salad filled with fresh, seasonal produce.
For more information, reach out to barbecue restaurants like Grumpy's Bar B Que Roadhouse.
