I host a Fourth of July BBQ every year. It’s always a great time at Casa Tierra, and besides the pool, the food is definitely the star. The first year I hosted, I bought meat at a butcher shop, drinks at a liquor store, and everything else at the grocery store (and drove myself insane). The second year, I went to TJ’s and made my life a whole lot easier.

The summer BBQ is the most over-engineered party in entertaining. Most of it can be shopped for entirely at TJ’s. Here is the working list, and the best Trader Joe’s BBQ products you should be shopping for.

For more of my fave Trader Joe’s products, check out: The Best New Trader Joe’s Products and The Best Trader Joe’s Wines Under $15.

Best Trader JOE’S SUMMER BBQ PRODUCTS

The Proteins

Carne Asada Ranchera (refrigerated, marinated). $10 a pack. Already seasoned, already marinated. Throw on the grill.

Trader Joe’s Ribs (refrigerated, marinated). $10 a slab. Slow-cook in the oven, finish on the grill.

Uncured Bratwurst (refrigerated, fully cooked). $5 for a pack of 4. Reheats on the grill.

Lemon Rosemary Chicken (refrigerated). $7. All prepped and ready to throw on the grill!

Organic Uncured Grass Fed All Beef Hot Dogs (refrigerated). $6. The vegetarian-flexible option for guests.

Quinoa Cowboy Veggie Burgers (frozen). $4 for a pack of 4. The veggie option.

Best Trader JOE’S SUMMER BBQ PRODUCTS

The Sides

Lemon Basil Pasta Salad (refrigerated). $4. The cold side that scales.

Organic Coleslaw Kit (refrigerated). $3. The classic BBQ slaw.

Super Sweet Fresh Corn. $4.49. Already shucked, just throw it on the grill.

Cornbread Mix. $3. The 30-minute side.

Corn & Chile Tomato-less Salsa (refrigerated). $3.49. Doubles as a dip and a side.

Seedless Watermelon (whole). $5.99. Pre-cut available for $7. Hydration AND dessert.

Pre-cut Pineapple. $4.

Best Trader JOE’S SUMMER BBQ PRODUCTS

The Chips & Dips

Plantain Chips. $2. A bowl on the table.

Yellow Corn Tortilla Chip Rounds. $4. The post-pool munchies hero.

Mango and Pineapple Pico de Gallo Salsa. $4. Summer-only mood.

Salsa Taquera. $2.49. As close to an authentic taqueria salsa as you can get.

Mediterranean Style Hummus. $4.29. Serve with pita chips.

Spinach & Kale Greek Yogurt Dip. $4.49. A lower-calorie option.

Best Trader JOE’S SUMMER BBQ PRODUCTS

The Drinks

Sparkling Lemonade. $4 for a 4-pack. The kid-friendly drink.

Watermelon Cucumber Cooler. $3.49 a bottle. The crowd favorite.

Sangria. $5 a bottle. The pool day wine.

 Vinho Verde. $5 a bottle. The crisp white.

Trader Joe’s Reserve Pinot Noir. $10 a bottle. The red for the burgers.

Botswain Hazy IPA. $6  for a six-pack. Crisp summer beers.

Trader Joe’s Hard Seltzers. $9 for a 12-pack. The pool float drink.

Best Trader JOE’S SUMMER BBQ PRODUCTS

The Party Math

For a BBQ of 12 people:

Proteins: $50

Buns: $8

Sides: $35

Chips and dips: $20

Drinks: $80 (mix of beer, wine, hard seltzer)

Dessert: $20

Condiments: $20

Total: $233 for a 12-person summer BBQ that looks like it cost $500 at a butcher shop and a wine shop.

Best Trader JOE’S SUMMER BBQ PRODUCTS

The BBQ Timeline

The day before.
Marinate any proteins that will benefit from extra time (the carne asada, the ribs). Shop everything.

4 hours before guests arrive.
Pull proteins out of the fridge for a room-temperature start. Set up the bar. Set up the chip-and-dip station.

1 hour before guests arrive.
Light the grill. Make the cornbread. Start the ribs (low and slow in the oven).

30 minutes before guests arrive.
Pull out the cold sides. Plate the salads. Put the watermelon out on a platter.

Guests arriving.
Light the candles. Pour the first sangria. Bring the meat out of the fridge. Set the mood.

45 minutes in.
Carne asada and burgers on the grill. Buns warming. Sides on the table.

90 minutes in.
Dessert moment. Frozen bars, lava cakes, watermelon wedges. Pull the second wave of sangria.

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Best Trader JOE’S SUMMER BBQ PRODUCTS

Frequently Asked Questions

Best Trader Joe’s BBQ item, full stop?

The Carne Asada (refrigerated, marinated). The most-grilled item in my BBQ rotation.

Best Trader Joe’s BBQ side?

The Mediterranean-Style Pasta Salad. The crowd-pleaser.

Best Trader Joe’s BBQ drink?

 Sangria for pool day. The Reserve Pinot Noir for the evening.

Best Trader Joe’s BBQ dessert?

Frozen Dessert Bars for kids. Chocolate Lava Cakes for adults.

Trader Joe’s BBQ for a smaller group?

For 6 people, halve the menu. Total cost: under $120.