Does the thought of cooking for a crowd of people make you stressed out? Whether you’re hosting a holiday gathering, a special event, or just feeding a lot of hungry people, cooking for a crowd can be daunting. But it doesn’t have to be! With a bit of planning and these seven tips, you can make cooking for a crowd easy.
Prepare beforehand:
One of the keys to success when cooking for a crowd is to be prepared. Make sure you have all the ingredients you need and any tools or equipment you might need. If you can, do some of the prep work ahead of time. Chopping vegetables, for example, can be done a day or two in advance.
If you are not prepared, you might face issues such as not having enough ingredients, which can lead to dishes being incomplete, or not having the right tools, which can make cooking more difficult.
Search for easy recipes:
Don’t try to make something complicated when cooking for a crowd. Instead, choose recipes that are easy to follow and don’t require a lot of steps. The last thing you want is to be stuck in the kitchen all night while your guests are enjoying themselves.
You can either make homemade beef stew, or you could buy a pre-made frozen one. Then, if you have the time, make a big batch of chili or soup that can be easily reheated. Another option is to make sandwiches or wraps, which are simple to assemble and don’t require a lot of cooking.
Use your slow cooker:
A slow cooker is a great tool when cooking for a crowd because it frees up space on the stove and in the oven. Plus, it keeps food warm so people can serve themselves as they please. A slow cooker also allows you to cook tough cuts of meat that would normally require a long time to cook. So, if you’re short on time, a slow cooker can be a lifesaver.
Make ahead and reheat:
Another great way to save time when cooking for a crowd is to make dishes ahead of time and then reheat them when you’re ready to serve. This works well for casseroles, lasagna, and other baked goods.
Serve family-style:
When you’re cooking for a lot of people, it’s often easier (and cheaper) to serve food family-style. That way, people can help themselves to as much or as little as they want. Set out platters of food on the table along with serving utensils so people can serve themselves.
Use disposable dishes:
If you’re really short on time or don’t want to deal with doing dishes, use disposable plates, cups, and utensils. This is an easy way to clean up after a meal since you can simply throw away the dirty dishes.
Set up a self-serve beverage station:
To save yourself from running back and forth to the kitchen, set up a self-serve beverage station. Include a variety of beverages, such as water, soda, coffee, and tea. If you’re serving alcohol, make sure to have plenty of non-alcoholic options as well.
Cooking for a crowd doesn’t have to be complicated or stressful. So, the next time you host a large group of people, keep these tips in mind and enjoy yourself!
