Make-Ahead Grill Prep: Marinades, Sides, and Timing

Tue, 26 May 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Good grilling often looks spontaneous because the cook is relaxed when the food hits the grate. That calm usually comes from earlier work. Salt has had time to season. Marinades are not dripping all over the station. Sides are ready enough to serve. Clean platters are waiting. The cooler has a job. Guests are not standing around while the cook searches for tongs, opens packages, and tries to remember which bowl touched raw chicken. Make-ahead prep is not about turning a cookout into a catering operation. It is about removing the decisions that do not need to happen near fire.

Cookout Prep on Fondsites

Make-Ahead Grill Prep: Marinades, Sides, and Timing