The Allies of a Simple, Stress-Free BBQ

The best summer dinners are often those that are thrown together at the last minute, away from the stovetop. Ready-to-cook grocery items, simple sides, a hot barbecue are all you need for a good meal. Explore our gourmet ideas to enjoy your evenings outdoors without stress.

Ready-to-cook options

The secret to a hassle-free BBQ? Opt for ready-to-cook products that require little preparation while offering maximum flavour. Already seasoned patties for burgers, ready-to-grill skewers and pieces of meat, various sausages and marinated chicken bring everyone together for a simple, gourmet summer meal.

Explore these products:

Compliments Frozen Burger Stuffed Cheddar Beef 680 g
Stefano Italian Sausage 450 g
RTC Chicken Breast Honey Garlic Brochette
Ready-to-Cook Pork Tenderloin with Maple and Chipotle

Learn more about butcher’s ready-to-cook:

https://www.iga.ca/butchers_own_ready-to-cook_dishes

Sterling Silver meats

Ideal for entertaining without complicating your life, Sterling Silver meats make it easy to prepare a meal that impresses. Their generous marbling gives them remarkable tenderness and rich flavours, perfect for successful tasty grilling with little preparation.

Explore these products:

Sterling Silver Steak Top Sirloin Cap
Sterling Silver T Bone Steak

Simple and effective support

When all you want to do is enjoy the evening, there’s no need to have a lot of elaborate dishes. Head to the ready-to-eat counter to complete your meal without breaking a sweat. Fresh salads, raw vegetables and dips, easy-to-share bites: the idea is to focus on quick and delicious food, which can be shared, family-style.

Explore these products:

Fresh Attitude Salad Kit Spring Mix 143 g
C'est Prêt! Macaroni Salad 454 g
RICARDO Dip Ranch 300 g
Veggie Tray 1.7 kg

Easy to grill sides

Ready-to-heat garlic bread, potatoes or an assortment of barbecue-ready vegetables and grilling cheeses such as halloumi: these sides can be placed on the grill while the proteins cook. In a few minutes, they’ll take on a beautiful colouring and add variety and flavour to the meal—without any extra effort.

Explore these products:

Bread Roasted Garlic 360 g
Baking Potatoes 4 Count
Compliment Semi-Soft Unripened Cheese Halloumi-Style 200 g

Cold drinks

An impromptu BBQ evening wouldn’t be complete without a few refreshing drinks. To please everyone, plan for options with and without alcohol. Fill a cooler with flavoured water, soft drinks, kombuchas, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beers and a good amount of ice. Personalize the glasses with a few citrus wedges and bet on fresh herbs, such as mint, basil or rosemary to add an aromatic touch that will feel summery and bright.

Explore these products:

Compliments Sparkling Water Strawberry Hibiscus 1 L (bottle)
Jarritos Soft Drink Lime 370 ml (bottle)
Atypique Sangria Les Breuvages 4 x 355 ml (cans)
Smirnoff Ice Mix Pack 4.8% Alcohol 12 x 355 ml (cans)

To learn about local options, check out this article:

https://www.iga.ca/articles/10_local_products_for_cocktails_under_the_sun

5 Fresh Tips for Successful Summer Drinks

Prepare a few pitchers ahead of time to avoid trips back and forth to the kitchen during the evening.
Mix sparkling water and citrus juice to quickly create a light and refreshing homemade drink.
Place the glasses in the freezer for a few minutes before serving to keep drinks cold longer.
Add cucumber or lemon slices to flavoured waters for an instant touch of freshness.
Use frozen fruit like grapes, berries, or citrus slices instead of ice cubes to chill glasses without diluting drinks.

In the end, the improvised barbecue is a reminder that you don’t have to overdo it to create a successful meal. With a few good products, simple sides and a backyard full of people you love, the magic of summer really comes through.