Kickstart BBQ Season with Tips and Mexican Dishes

As we dive into the middle of spring, the month of May usually brings more consistently sunny and warm weather. This and the spring bank holidays provide a perfect opportunity to begin barbecuing for the next few months. And maybe you’ve smelt some barbecues already!

But how do you prepare for the barbecue season? And how do you make your barbecues and meals interesting? Well, one idea for making your barbecue a little different is by using themed food.

As well as May seeing a couple of bank holidays, there is also Cinco de Mayo on the 5th of May. Cinco de Mayo is a yearly celebration of Mexico’s victory in the battle of Puebla in 1862. It is celebrated typically with food, as well as music, parades, dancing and even battle reenactments.

Whilst you don’t have to do all that, you can still take some light inspiration from the cultural event and cook some Mexican dishes, as long as your fellow barbecue guests are interested in that kind of cuisine.

In this article, we’ll be looking at getting your barbecue plans started, as well as some Mexican themed dishes you can make once your grill is set up. So grab some BBQ charcoal and some salsa and get prepared!

Prepping Your Garden

The first step to kicking off the season is preparing your garden or outside cooking area. So before you touch your grill, here’s a few things to consider:

Clean and Tidy: Clear up your garden and give you and guests the optimum amount of space needed to be comfortable. Do a bit of gardening, trimming any overgrown bushes and trees. With a clear space you can figure out things you may need in order to create a practical and welcoming space for outdoor dining, such as extra chairs, furniture or even shelter.
Create Atmosphere: As well as chairs, tables and other standard stuff, why not add some flair to your space? Consider lighting, blankets or outdoor heaters in case the evenings turn cold or you stay outside until the late evening. You might even want to add some more plants around your garden if needed.

Getting Your Barbecue Ready

Now your space is sorted, it’s time to move onto the machine itself:

Clean Your Grill ASAP: This is important to do to save yourself from complications ahead of time. If it’s been a while since you’ve cleaned the grill, or you didn’t give it a proper clean before you put it away last time, then now is the time to get cleaning. Better to do it a few days before, than on the day of the barbecue.
Perform a Safety Check: Check all parts of your barbecue and make sure it’s all in working order and there’s no risk of a gas leak. You should also ensure that your machine is in a sensible area, where there’s nothing nearby that can catch fire and smoke won’t blow into anywhere it shouldn’t, such as your home, directly into your neighbours’ home, or into your guests’ faces!
Stock Up: Whether it’s a gas or charcoal barbecue, or a hybrid, it’s good to stock up early and make sure you have enough to last you. You may also want to try out wood chips for adding extra flavour. Don’t forget to check your accessories such as tools, tongs, spatulas, etc. in case they’re worn out and need replacing, or you realise you’re missing something.

Time to Cook

Okay so now both your cooking space and your barbecue are ready, here’s some Mexican recipe ideas to get you started. Themed music and decorations are optional…

Grilled Mexican Street Corn (aka Elote): All you need is some grilled corn on the cob, then brush with a creamy lime and chili-spiced mayo and sprinkle with your favourite cheese and some coriander, it’s a great appetisers or side, and a mouthwatering crowd-pleaser.
Carne Asada Tacos: Marinate some steak and grill it to perfection, then serve it in warmed tortillas with fresh salsa, guacamole, and a squeeze of lime. A flavour-packed favourite that works as a main or a side.
Chipotle Honey Lime Grilled Chicken: Tenderise some chicken thighs with a meat hammer, then marinate in a zesty blend of chipotle, honey, lime, and garlic. Grill to smoky perfection (use wood chips in a smoker box for extra smokiness). Serve with grilled pineapple salsa for a combination of sweet and spicy.

Now You’re Ready

With a clear space, cleaned up barbecue, and a stock of tools, food, and recipes, you’re now ready to kickstart barbecue season. And if you’re using the Mexican inspired recipes above, it’ll be a spicy kick!