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Barbequing with the intention of feeding a large group, or crew as I lovingly call them is all about bulk. Get everyone fed for cheap.
Why Do I Do this?
Because I love my family, duh! No, it’s a labor of love at this point when my family goes up to Ouray Colorado for a Jeep invasion. My dad had worked the donations and BBQ for about six years before I got the opportunity to actually go in person. But I always helped him get donors for the raffle and find inexpensive ways to feed the patrons of the event.
What is the Ouray Jeep invasion?
It’s pretty much what it sounds like. I run with a fair group of old jeeps (called Full Size Jeeps, or FSJs) and we all meet up from all over the world in the tiny mountain town of Ouray Colorado for three days (Wednesday – Friday) in the third week of July.
We always have a potluck barbeque on Thursday in order to raise money for the Ouray Mountain rescue. This is under the small delusion that if we give them money, then we won’t need them. But the reality is that we are one of their biggest donors, and have been since 2002 when it started and many of our people have been part of rescues while they’re on the trails.
Gettin’ Down to Business
With the origins of the Que for a Crew concept being a potluck, the menu is going to give you a range of lower effort, low cost options that help feed upwards of 30 people. It’s still going to take some prep and brain power.
I can’t use a crock pot to save my ever loving soul, so I rely on Dutch ovens for pretty much everything. There is just one problem with that… Acid and cast iron NEVER GO TOGETHER. I mean it; it’s a one way ticket to rust. So, I cheat. I make my pulled pork in an enameled Dutch oven from the comfort of my house before I leave. Then use good ol’ disposable aluminum pans to reheat them.
Menu
Make Ahead Pulled Pork
I don’t have a hard and fast recipe for pulled pork. But this is my favorite to use from allrecipes.com.
White Bread
No buns, no fancy breads. Just good ol’ loaves of sliced white bread. Whatever is on sale. If you’re feeling fancy, get a tub of spreadable butter.
Coleslaw
If you can find a large vat-sized container of coleslaw, please use that if it is less expensive than the home-made alternative. If you, like me, don’t have that luxury all the time. Here’s one of my favorite recipe for classic coleslaw.
Potato Chips
Three flavors of party sized bags: Plain, sour cream and something, and flavored corn chips. That pretty much covers your basics for chips. If you’re more concerned about germs, I get you. You can buy a giant box of mini bags of chips with the rough number of people you’re expecting.
Additions
When you are feeding a large group, potluck style is the way to go. The best way to do that is with a list of extras. Don’t know what to have people bring? Fear not! I have plenty of extras that you can have other people bring.
Pickles
2 L soda, gallon Lemonade, tea or bottled water
Bulk pack cookies or candy
Extra chips or sides
Or have them bring something from the DON’T Forget! List:
Paper plates
Disposable cutlery
Napkins
Trash Bags
Plastic cups
Serving spoons
Salt & Pepper in Shakers
Feeding a large group is no easy feat; I commend you for wanting to. No matter if your crew is 5 people or 50 people this scalable menu is sure to please your crowd and your wallet. Make sure to keep those stories flowing around the campfire this summer.
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