Backyard BBQ Catering in Eden Prairie: Let Wildfire Handle the Cooking This Summer

Summer in Eden Prairie means backyard gatherings, family celebrations, neighborhood cookouts, and making the most of Minnesota’s warm weather. If you’re planning a summer BBQ, Wildfire Eden Prairie Catering can help you spend less time cooking and more time enjoying your guests.

Our catering menu is designed to make entertaining effortless. Whether you’re hosting a graduation party, family reunion, company picnic, or weekend barbecue, Wildfire offers crowd-pleasing options delivered directly to your home or event space.

Easy Summer Party Menu Ideas

Start your spread with favorites like Oven-Roasted Lump Crab Cakes and fresh salads, including our Caesar Salad, Greek Salad, Tuscan Kale & Spinach Salad, and the signature Wildfire Chopped Salad. Even better, many of our salad dressings are gluten-free, making it easier to accommodate guests with dietary preferences. Be sure to explore our gluten-free dressing options for your next catered event.

For the main course, our Barbecued Baby Back Ribs and Barbecued Chicken speak for themselves. Add hearty sides such as Baked Mac & Cheese, Cole Slaw, Pasta with Roasted Market Vegetables, and Barbecue Potato Chips to create the perfect backyard feast.

Need something guests can grab and enjoy? Our Party Platters serve 8 to 10 people and feature favorites like the Grilled Chicken Club and Blackened New York Strip Steak Sandwich.

And don’t forget dessert. Complete your summer gathering with one of our homemade seasonal pies, the perfect sweet ending to any barbecue.

10 Grilling Tips from Executive Chef/Partner Joe Decker

Executive Chef & Partner Joe Decker offers some additional tips to highlight your grilling as well. 

1. Make sure that the grill is cleaned well with a metal brush and the grates are hot before beginning cooking.
2. Maintain a hot part of the grill for searing and a cooler part for slower cooking.
3. Bring proteins out at room temperature before grilling.
4. Brine meats and fish for 30 minutes before grilling to impart juiciness and flavor.
5. Use a simple marinade to further enhance flavor. My favorite marinade is mixed herbs from the garden, garlic, olive oil, lemon zest and cracked black pepper.
6. Refrain from moving the proteins on the grill frequently or smashing them down to cook faster, this will press all the juices out.
7. Good grilling starts with high quality proteins. You pay for what you get.
8. If desired, brush the proteins with glazes or sauces in the final stage of cooking on the grill to add flavor.
9. Use a meat thermometer to remove the guesswork of knowing when something is done.
10. Let the meat rest for 5-10 minutes before serving to help it preserve juices. Optional: Serve with flaked sea salt.

Lemon Parmesan Dressing:

Marinate chicken breast or salmon filet with lemon parmesan dressing. Season with Kosher salt, cracked black pepper and paprika for 1 hour. Grill and serve with grilled lemon halves.  

Red Wine Vinaigrette:

For “Greek style” chicken, cut the chicken into quarters and drizzle red wine vinaigrette over it with garlic, oregano, salt and pepper. Let it sit for 1 hour. Grill over medium to low heat until finished.  

Wildfire dressings and marinades can be purchased at the restaurant, plus select local grocery stores around Chicagoland, including Sunset Foods, Mariano’s, and Foodstuffs.

“The two most important steps in cooking a burger I actually learned from Lettuce Entertain You founder, Rich Melman!”:

1. When grilling, do not move the burger often. Only move it to flip it over to cook the other side.
2. Do not smash the burger down with a spatula to speed up the cooking. If you follow these two steps, you’ll produce a very juicy burger.

Easy Ordering for Eden Prairie Summer Parties

Wildfire Catering is designed to fit the way you actually plan events. There is a $200 minimum for delivery, so whether you’re feeding 10 guests or 50, you can order exactly what you need. Delivery is available within a 10-mile radius of Wildfire Eden Prairie, and all we ask is 24 hours notice.

Ready to plan your summer spread? Contact Wildfire Eden Prairie Parties & Special Events to place your order, or order online.