50+ person cookout at my house...eeek

**Lmullin** · 05-13-2006, 06:55 PM

Ok, We're having a huge Memorial Day cookout. Any ideas on frugal food for my guests? I'm open to any and all suggestions.

**dwallyfam** · 05-13-2006, 07:08 PM

homemade potato salad, burgers dogs

Kellie

**marei** · 05-13-2006, 10:06 PM

When we have occasions like this everybody brings something, aren't you doing that.

**frugalnana** · 05-13-2006, 10:18 PM

I was thinking the same thing Kellie. When we have a family cookout, everyone brings something, it can be a 2 liter of pop, bags of chips, potato salad any sweets. YUMM.

**Jerseygirl** · 05-13-2006, 11:09 PM

Every summer we do a family party for 60 - 80 depends on the year. We always do ziti, kielbasi w/ saurkraut, cavatelli w/ broccoli, sausage and peppers, meatballs and sausage in tomato, all the traditional salads and a spiral cut ham. The idea is that we can pick up all the sausages etc. and freeze all summer when they go on sale, then we cook the week or two before and everything can be frozen until the day before and simply reheated. If you want to go very budget friendly think pasta dishes and rice dishes. Also, deviled eggs and seasonal veggies (corn on the cob, salad, cantaloupes) For our parties,because people are driving from so far away we ask them to bring drinks and dessert so food doesnt spoil in the car. Enjoy this, I love the challenge of bringing together a huge party. ----Kellie

**wendy** · 05-14-2006, 01:58 AM

I agree with dwallyfam...and GOOD LUCK!!

**frugalfarmwife** · 05-14-2006, 04:29 AM

POTLUCK!!!

Have fun!

kj

**Lmullin** · 05-14-2006, 09:08 AM

Thanks for all the suggestions. Yes, we are having everyone bring goodies. We're providing the meat though. And the large yard and we actually rented a jumper! There will be 30+ kids and we didn't want them fighting over the four swings.

**dwallyfam** · 05-14-2006, 09:26 AM

Try to see if you can go to a local butcher or meat processing place. Sometimes they have meat that someone ordered but didn't pick up. You can get it in bulk and cheaper that at the grocery store.

Kellie

**annertak** · 05-14-2006, 12:51 PM

Chicken legs & thighs are pretty cheap at times. Hot dogs for the little ones, maybe some brats or kielbasa on the grill for adults who don't like chicken. Lots of pasta salad, jello salads, baked beans.

Now I'm hungry! lol

**pkellyc** · 05-14-2006, 03:36 PM

I am going to our family picnic next week. We hold it in a park and everyone will bring something including their own lawn chairs. We will supply all the hamburgers, hot dogs, paper products, condiments, and drinks. I will also be making a huge pasta salad and a large desert of some kind. The park does not charge to enter before Memorial Day and this way no one person gets stuck with a mess. Also because it's the weekend before the holiday we hope to get a larger turn out. Our picnic includes 4 generations of my family on my fathers side.

**pkellyc** · 05-14-2006, 03:38 PM

P.S. One of my cousins is making up a family cookbook and we are to bring recipies for it. I thought that this was a great idea.

**camismommy** · 05-15-2006, 08:53 AM

Don't forget the grilled veggies! Veggies in the summer can either come free from your garden or pretty cheaply from the supermarket. We do a summer party for about 80 people every year and everyone brings their favorite dish and we grill the dogs and veggies!

**Darlene** · 05-15-2006, 09:16 AM

What fun! Hope you have assigned specific things for people to bring. When you say just bring a dish you may end up with 10 potato salads and not an assortment of things, lol.
Try to plan as much in advance (and assign helpers) so you enjoy your party and don't feel like you have to do it all yourself. We want you to relax & enjoy your party. Oh, don't sweat the small stuff, just enjoy. Everything doesn't have to be perfect.

**cozyquilter** · 05-15-2006, 09:48 AM

Heres a great link for cooking for 50....if you look around they have lots of other information too, including cooking for 100+

http://www.angelfire.com/bc/incredib...iftyindex.html