5 Cookout Essentials

My 5 most important food items to have at a good cookout.

Man Crates, gifts for men, contacted me to write a post about 5 things I think are essential to have at a cookout. Man crates is trying to make gift buying for men easy.  There are all kinds of categories to please just about anyone.  I think many women would like to receive a "man" crate too.

So I realize the typical time for cookouts is ending with summer but I live in Hawaii so we can cookout year round.  Also I think you can cookout anytime you want you don't need special weather for it although I understand not wanting to be outside in the cold winter...but winter is not here yet so go outside and enjoy it while you can.

When it comes to cookouts I don't think you really need any special equipment but there are some food items that I think everyone likes to see at a cookout.

1.  Beverages

Beer is always the first option for me and most people who consume alcohol but for those who don't I think Sweet Tea is a must.  Growing up in the south we always had sweet tea (brewed in a glass pitcher in the sun) during the summer.  It was always Lipton and had a lot of sugar in it.  Now I choose healthier green tea and less sweetener like this:

Cold Brewed Green Tea

 

2.  Chips and Dip

Everyone loves chips whether tortilla or potato it's always great to have an easy snack while waiting for your burger to cook.  I have many recipes for dips and salsas but this is my favorite:

Loaded Potato Dip

 

3.  Hot Sauce

My husband loves spicy foods and if he could he would add his favorite hot sauce to everything.  We always have Sriracha on hand but this is the family favorite (it's made by friends of ours from TX):

Ass Burn Sauce

4.  Jalapenos

Still on the spicy theme my husband loves jalapenos.  He always likes to add them to his burgers or even hot dogs.  He'll really put them on just about everything.  Whether raw, pickled, diced or sliced he loves them in all forms.  Here is an easy recipe to make your own pickled jalapenos:

Pickled Jalapenos

5.  Cookies

I don't know many people who don't have some kind of sweet tooth and when eating outside it's easier to have a quick hand held dessert like cookies.  These are traditional but my husband's favorite:

Chocolate Chip Cookies

Enjoy.

Linked to:  Two Cup, Teach Me, Lou Lou Girls, Tickle my Tastebuds, Brag About It, Whimsy Wed, Cook Craft Share, Full Plate, Eat Create, Freedom Fri, Best of the weekend, See ya in the Gumbo, Merry Mon, Tasty Tue

Follow Joy Bee's board Joybee Whats for Dinner blog posts on Pinterest.