This Is Why I Always Bring a Bag of Frozen Strawberries to a Cookout

If you want to be a good guest, you can’t show up to a party empty handed. We all know that. But sometimes it can be hard to know what to bring, especially to more niche events. If someone is inviting you over for a cookout or BBQ, they probably already have the food planned out.

Obviously, you can bring a bottle of wine or some flowers, but that’s boring (sorry!). I also know lots of people who don’t drink. And many flowers can be poisonous to pets, so I try to avoid gifting them (especially to cat owners).

This is why I started bringing my favorite party essentials to BBQs when I was told I “didn’t need to bring anything”: a bag of frozen strawberries. They are so incredibly versatile, extremely accessible, and very affordable. Here are all the ways you can use a bag of frozen strawberries at a cookout.

Blended Strawberry Lemonade

I have been making this incredibly easy frozen strawberry lemonade ever since I saw Callie Wilson (aka @okcallie) make it on TikTok. It’s a genius two-ingredient drink that tastes unbelievable. All it is is store-bought lemonade and frozen strawberries, but it tastes unreal. I would easily pay $7 for a glass of this at a restaurant. It’s so refreshing and really cools you down on a hot summer day. Plus, it’s kid-friendly if you’re at a family-oriented BBQ.

Ice Cube Substitute

Speaking of ice, frozen strawberries make a great substitute for ice in all kinds of drinks. Plop a couple of frozen strawberries into your seltzer, white wine, or lemon lime soda and thank me later. It adds a delicious fruity flavor and keeps your drink chilled.

Best Margarita Mix for a Vacation-Level Marg

The best Margarita mix is zesty and sweet, perfect with blanco tequila and smoky mezcal alike. But which ones taste like real citrus and which ones taste like Ecto Cooler? We tasted over 20 different Margarita mixes in two separate taste tests to find out. 

Boozy Beverages

You can blend pretty much any type of alcohol with frozen strawberries and it will be delicious. Make a big pitcher of frozen strawberry margaritas with no ice necessary! This will definitely liven up a BBQ.

Ice Cream Topping

Ice cream is a classic summer dessert that people always love to see at BBQs. If you want to add some fun to your sundae bar, microwave your frozen strawberries until they become juicy and warm. This tastes incredible poured over vanilla ice cream.

Ice Pack

If somebody gets hit in the face with a football or soccer ball, use this bag of frozen strawberries as an ice pack to bring down the swelling. You are practically an EMT now!

It’s Cookout Week at Sporked!

To kick off summer, we’re highlighting all the best foods and drinks you should be buying for cookouts, BBQs, grilling seshes, or any other type of al fresco partying and eating you’ll be doing this season.