Cookout style refers to a casual, relaxed way of cooking and eating outdoors, usually in someone’s backyard, at a park, or on the beach. It’s all about keeping things simple, fun, and easy for a group of people to gather together and enjoy tasty food in a laidback setting.
The History of Cookouts
Outdoor communal meals have been a tradition for centuries, but the modern cookout style emerged in the US in the early 20th century. As more Americans moved to suburban areas with backyards, they began hosting informal gatherings and meals outdoors. The term “cookout” became popular after World War 2, when Americans had more leisure time for relaxing and entertaining at home.
The classic cookout meal is focused around grilled foods like hamburgers, hotdogs, and barbecue. This style of cooking over an open flame adds flavor and is easy for feeding a crowd. Early cookouts were seen as patriotic activities centered on American classics. Over time, all kinds of creative recipes and international influences have shaped cookout cuisine.
Defining Features of Cookout Style
There are several key features that define the casual, fun spirit of cookout style:
- Outdoor setting – Usually a backyard, park, beach, campsite, or other outdoor space.
- Grilled foods – From meat to veggies, the grill is the heart of cookout cooking.
- Cooler drinks – Lots of cold beverages like soda, beer, lemonade, and water.
- Potluck style – Guests often bring a dish to share.
- Casual vibe – No need to dress up or use fancy dishes.
- Fun activities – Lawn games, music, swimming, etc.
- Relaxed pace – A go-with-the-flow type of environment.
- Community feel – Cookouts bring people together.
Popular Cookout Foods and Drinks
Here are some classic cookout favorites that capture the informal, fun spirit of this outdoor party style:
Grilled Main Dishes
- Hamburgers
- Hot dogs
- Kebabs – Veggie, meat, or fruit!
- Chicken – Grilled or barbecued
- Ribs
- Steak
- Sausages – Brats, kielbasa, etc.
- Fish – Salmon, shrimp, etc.
- Kabobs
- Veggie burgers / meat substitutes
Grilled Sides
- Corn on the cob
- Potatoes – Baked or sliced
- Asparagus
- Zucchini or squash
- Eggplant
- Tomatoes
- Peppers
- Mushrooms
- Onions
Salads and Sides
- Pasta salad
- Potato salad
- Coleslaw
- Bean salad
- Macaroni salad
- Fruit salad
- Chips
- Baked beans
- Watermelon slices
Breads
- Buns and rolls
- Cornbread
- Biscuits
- Tortillas
- Pita bread
Desserts
- Cookies
- Brownies
- Cakes
- Pies
- Fruit crisps
- S’mores
- Ice cream
Drinks
- Soda / Pop
- Iced tea
- Lemonade
- Fruit punch
- Beer
- Wine
- Sangria
- Margaritas
- Water
While grilled meats tend to dominate most cookouts, you can get creative with all kinds of cuisines! Try grilling pineapple, making Mexican street corn, creating a Mediterranean veggie skewer, or whipping up a tropical fruit salad. Part of the fun of cookout style is experimenting with new flavors.
Tips for Hosting a Cookout
Want to host the ultimate cookout? Here are some tips:
- Prep ahead – Marinate meats, chop veggies, make salads, bake desserts. This allows you to relax and mingle once guests arrive.
- Have a drinks cooler – Fill up a large cooler with ice, soda, lemonade, beer, water, etc. Keep it stocked and accessible so people can grab drinks easily.
- Set up buffet style – Use folding tables for a DIY buffet so people can serve themselves easily.
- Use disposables – Paper plates, cups, napkins and plastic utensils keep things low-maintenance.
- Offer sun protection – Have a canopy or umbrella for shade and plenty of sunscreen available.
- Play music – Create a fun, festive playlist to set the mood.
- Have activities – Lawn games, a kiddie pool, volleyball, etc. Give guests things to do besides just eat.
- Light up the night – Once the sun goes down, use string lights, lanterns and tiki torches to create ambiance.
- Stock up on fuel – Having extra propane, charcoal and lighter fluid will keep the grilling going strong.
- Clean as you go – Wipe spills, empty trash cans and do some quick tidying so you don’t have a huge mess at the end.
Most important of all, embrace the laidback vibe! Don’t stress about making everything perfect. Focus on having fun with your guests.
Fun Cookout Activities
The food may be the main event, but activities give your guests something extra to enjoy. Here are some fun cookout ideas:
Lawn Games
- Cornhole toss
- Ladder ball
- Washers
- Bocce ball
- Croquet
- Basketball
- Volleyball
- Badminton
- Horseshoes
Water Fun
- Sprinkler running
- Water balloon toss
- Slip n slide
- Pool time
- Water guns
Outdoor Fun
- Tug of war
- Sack races
- Egg relay race
- Three-legged race
- Limbo
- Hula hoop contests
- Frisbee
- Bubbles
- Sidewalk chalk
Indoor Fun
- Board games
- Video games
- Ping pong
- Playing cards
- Karaoke
- Photo booth
Get creative and set up stations around the yard to keep your guests entertained for hours! Activities are also a great way to bring people together and spark conversations.
Cookout Style Around the World
It’s not just Americans who love to gather around a grill or fire and enjoy time outdoors with friends and family. People all around the world have their own versions of casual, communal outdoor feasting. Here are just a few examples:
Australia – Barbie
Aussies are experts at laidback outdoor parties known as “barbies.” The iconic shrimp is often on the grill, along with other meats and seafood. Aimbient lighting creates a fun atmosphere.
Argentina – Asado
Asado is a traditional Argentine cookout revolving around different cuts of grilled beef alongside chimichurri sauce. It’s a long, festive event focused on the art of grilling.
South Africa – Braai
A braai is a beloved South African tradition where meat and vegetables are cooked over an open wood fire. The smoky, charred flavors add robust depth.
Jamaica – Jerk
Jerk seasoning gives a spicy kick to grilled favorites in Jamaica. Usually chicken or pork are marinated in this flavorful blend of peppers, herbs and spices before hitting the grill.
Japan – Yakiniku
At Japanese yakiniku restaurants, guests gather around grill tables and cook thinly sliced meats and vegetables themselves. The do-it-yourself element makes it interactive and fun.
Even with cultural differences, the communal joy of gathering outdoors around delicious grilled food is universally beloved. Cookout traditions worldwide may feature different flavors, ingredients and activities, but they all share that casual, festive spirit.
Tailgating Cookouts
Nothing encapsulates the fun cookout culture more than a parking lot tailgate party! Tailgating brings all the signature features of a cookout – grilling, drinks, games, music, community – together around a sporting event.
American football is the quintessential tailgating sport, with fans firing up grills in stadium parking lots for a pregame feast. But you can find tailgaters at many events – NASCAR races, golf tournaments, baseball games, and more. Wherever there’s a competition, there are sports buffs ready to cheer on their team over burgers and brews.
Successful tailgates require extra planning and equipment. Large vehicles provide more prep space, while portable grills, tables, shade tents, coolers and TVs transform a parking space into a temporary cookout zone. Football tailgating spreads are especially elaborate, with sub sandwiches, chili, barbecue, and creative themed dishes and desserts.
The lively atmosphere and bonding with fellow fans makes tailgating an essential part of the game day experience. Many fans even tailgate at away games, proving their team pride on the road. Organizations like professional sports leagues and colleges have caught on to the trend, sponsoring official tailgating areas for fans.
Tailgating reflects the indulge-yourself spirit of the cookout in full force. For sports lovers, there’s no better way to get pumped up before the big game!
Healthy and Vegetarian Cookout Options
Traditional cookouts are heavy on meat and low on nutrition. But you can put a healthy spin on this outdoor dining style with better-for-you ingredients:
- Grill up lean turkey burgers, salmon, or shrimp skewers instead of fatty meats.
- Swap white buns and breads for whole grain versions.
- Load up on veggie sides like grilled zucchini, roasted potatoes, and fresh salad.
- Skip high-calorie sauces and condiments in favor of vinaigrettes, salsas and chimichurri.
- Offer fresh fruit kebabs, yogurt parfaits and oatmeal cookies for healthier desserts.
- Provide water, iced tea, seltzer waters and fruit smoothies instead of just soda.
Vegetarians don’t have to feel left out either! Get creative with mains like grilled eggplant stacks, portobello burgers, cauliflower steaks and veggie skewers. Bean salads, pasta dishes, and grilled veggies like corn, peppers and zucchini also make great meatless additions.
The laidback cookout ambiance can be enjoyed with nutritious foods too. With better choices, you can indulge without overdoing it on calories and feel good about your outdoor bash.
Cookout Food Safety Tips
When cooking and serving food outdoors, extra care must be taken to prevent foodborne illnesses. Follow these safety guidelines:
- Perishable foods should not sit out for more than 2 hours total at room temp (1 hour if above 90°F outside).
- Keep cold foods chilled on ice or in the refrigerator/cooler until ready to serve.
- Cook meats thoroughly – use a food thermometer to ensure they reach a safe internal temperature.
- Avoid cross-contamination by using separate cutting boards and utensils for raw meats vs. cooked foods or produce.
- Hand washing is critical! Provide soap and paper towels for people to wash hands before eating.
- Hot grilled food needs to stay hot, at or above 140°F. Use chafing dishes or warming trays.
- Leftovers should be refrigerated within 2 hours and eaten within 3-4 days.
Following basic food safety rules will help prevent the spread of dangerous bacteria and viruses. Be extra diligent about cleanliness and temperature control.
Sustainable Cookout Practices
Large gatherings have potential for waste and overconsumption. You can make your cookouts “greener” with these tactics:
- Use recyclable paper or compostable plates, cups and utensils instead of plastic versions.
- Look for biodegradable versions of items like trash bags, napkins and balloons.
- Buy locally sourced, organic, sustainable ingredients when possible.
- Use reusable tablecloths and serveware like cloth napkins instead of disposable ones.
- Compost food scraps after the event.
- Set up clearly marked recycling, trash and compost bins for waste sorting.
- Skip plastic water bottles – offer water jugs with reusable cups instead.
- Use natural decor like flowers, plants and string lighting over plastic decorations.
It just takes some small tweaks to reduce an outdoor bash’s environmental impact. Going green doesn’t mean sacrificing fun – it enhances the laidback cookout ambiance!
Conclusion
Cookout style brings people together in a relaxed, joyful setting focused on uncomplicated food, drink and activities outdoors. Its origins are tied to quintessential American traditions of grilling in the backyard, but communal outdoor feasting crosses cultures worldwide. With some creative twists, cookouts can also be healthy, vegetarian-friendly and eco-conscious. At its core, this casual gathering style celebrates taking pleasure in delicious shared experiences – and that’s a universal urge.