BBQ Tips for Bonfire Night: Creating the Ultimate Backyard Fireworks Feast

Bonfire Night is about gathering outside with friends, admiring the bonfire, and watching a spectacular fireworks display light up the sky. What better way to accompany that experience than with a BBQ platter designed for the occasion? Whether you’re hosting a backyard get together or it's just the family, these BBQ hosting tips and festive dishes will keep everyone warm, well-fed, and ready for the show.

1. Start with Simple, Handheld Snacks

Bonfire Night calls for food that’s easy to grab and eat between the fireworks and the sparklers. Finger foods and skewers are the perfect type of food for this occasion. People can eat without needing to sit down or worry about eating with cutlery. Here's some recipe ideas for you to try:

Ideas:

• Grilled skewers with a mix of; meat of your choice, peppers, and onions—easy to handle, quick to cook and full of flavour.
• Grill up some burgers and serve them with toppings on the side so people can customise their own. Easy to do, isn't time consuming, perfect for the job at hand.
• Corn on the cob: Grilled and brushed with herb butter or a sprinkle of chilli powder for a warm, smoky treat.

2. Get Smoky with Sausages

Sausages are a Bonfire Night classic. They’re easy to cook and eat, they come in different shapes, sizes and varieties, and not forgetting - they are packed with flavour. You can keep it traditional with pork sausages or mix up your flavours with chorizo sausages, bratwurst, or even veggie options.

Top tip:
Serve the sausages with a selection of condiments—mustards, chutneys, and even some caramelised onions on the side. For a twist, consider serving them in warm rolls or even wrapped in foil with a slice of cheese for a gooey bite.

3. Warm Things Up with Chilli and Stews on the Grill

For a slightly different option, BBQ chilli con carne or a smoky stew is a winner also. Using a cast-iron pot on the BBQ, you can cook up a tasty chilli con carne or slow-cook a stew, letting the smoky flavours of the grill infuse every spoonful.

Serving suggestion:
Serve your chilli con carne into bowls, top with cheese, sour cream, or a sprinkle of fresh herbs. And don’t forget to have some crusty bread or warm tortillas on the side to mop up every last bite! If you're feeling a bit adventurous, you can always serve this with some baked potatoes.

4. The Festive Sides

No Bonfire Night BBQ is complete without some tasty sides. Grilled potatoes, veggie kebabs, garlic bread and chicken wings are all examples of a tasty snack that are easy to make. You can even make some loaded potato skins, topped with cheese, bacon, and spring onions, which cook beautifully on the BBQ.

Top picks:

• Grilled potato wedges with a sprinkle of smoked paprika.
• Cheesy garlic bread wrapped in foil and warmed on the grill for a few minutes.
• Stuffed peppers filled with rice, cheese, and herbs for a vibrant, warming side.
• Chicken Wings covered in a sauce of your choosing. Perfect for a sticky snack.

5. Sweet Treats

No Bonfire Night is complete without something sweet to finish the night. Grilled desserts are underrated, and the BBQ is ideal for whipping up desserts from toasted marshmallows to grilled fruit.

Dessert ideas:

• Toasted marshmallow s’mores: Foil wrap biscuits and chocolate around marshmallows and let them melt together on the grill. The best gooey sweet treat.
• Grilled apple slices with a sprinkle of cinnamon, drizzled with caramel or honey. If you aren't a fan of chocolate, give this one a go.
• Chocolate-stuffed bananas: Slice a banana down the middle, fill it with pieces of chocolate, wrap it in foil, and grill until gooey.

Ready for the Fireworks!

With a warm Mulled Wine, Cider or Hot Chocolate in hand, grab a tasty bite and your Bonfire Night is set to be a spectacular occasion. So gather round the fire pit, keep the grill going, and get ready to watch the fireworks with good company, and plenty of BBQ bites to enjoy!

Cook it your way!