S/O easy side dish for party where we are grilling

[starryfish]

Since we eloped, we are throwing a party at our house this weekend to celebrate with friends. 

My DH wants to grill. So we will have Burgers and Hot Dogs and maybe wings. I got dessert covered (cupcakes, truffles and cookies). What sides are easy/pre-made that I can buy?

[mrsfarmer]

Pasta salad, potato salad, bagged salads, veggie trays, fruit trays.

[starryfish]

May 7, 2015 13:04:47 GMT -5 mrsfarmer said:

Pasta salad, potato salad, bagged salads, veggie trays, fruit trays.

Yea that is what I was thinking, but how many sides should I provide? Expecting around 20-30 people.

Thanks!

[ddi741]

For our derby party, H grilled burgers, hot dogs and smoked wings. For sides we had pasta salad, cole slaw and Bush's mexican fiesta beans. He also grilled some small sweet peppers.

[mrsfarmer]

starryfish - probably one big veggie tray and fruit tray, then I would split the rest between some kind of a macaroni salad and potato salad. People will nibble at the veggies and fruit.

[dexteroni]

I would probably have either potato or pasta salad (or both), corn on the cob, baked beans, and a fruit salad. It's a lot, but it's also a party, and I like an abundant table at a party.

I would probably skip a green salad only because those tend not to go at parties, in my experience. Or maybe something like a chopped non-lettuce-based salad. Those are easier and tend to stay crisp longer in a buffet setting. I like to do cucumbers, tomatoes, red and green peppers, red onion, and celery in a vinaigrette.

And congrats on your marriage!

[magdala]

It really depends on your crowd and how many servings you can get from the package. You want to have enough for each person to have two sides with a main course. My crowd has a lot of vegetarians so green salads go quickly. With 30 people that is 60 servings.

For our last cookout, I made a Spring salad.  Wash baby spinach, hull and slice strawberries then toss with bottled poppyseed dressing.   I also sliced up a watermelon into wedges for the kids to eat.    I also had sliced cucumbers and tomatoes tossed with Italian dressing.