If you’re anything like us when the weather is warm, you want to enjoy as many meals al fresco as humanly possible. Everything seems to taste better in the sunshine or under the stars. From packing a picnic lunch to barbecuing on the weekend, cooking and eating outside are easily some of the best things about summer.
To get started though, you need the right gear. Walmart(opens in a new tab) is your go-to source for outfitting a high-functioning outdoor kitchen.
Get your grill on
Credit: Ninja
You can hone your culinary chops at Walmart with tons of grills and accessories(opens in a new tab), from charcoal to gas barbecues, and kamados and smokers. But, if standing over a hot, smoky grill (or accidentally incinerating your dinner) isn’t exactly your scene, you can skip right to the Ninja Foodi 4-in-1 indoor grill and air fryer (opens in a new tab)($129.33, normally $199). With surround searing technology, it chars to perfection — and makes serious fries — perfect for sharing with friends on a patio.
Keep a lid on prep
Credit: Rubbermaid
Cooking outdoors is easy breezy, but you still need to get your ingredients from the kitchen to the BBQ. With summery teal-colored lids and a full range of sizes, Rubbermaid Flex and Seal food storage containers(opens in a new tab) ($29.63, normally $39.99) have you covered for all your outdoor eating needs, from snacks to salads. Not to mention, they’re handy for marinating meats, keeping flies out of potato salad (gross), and packing a picnic without wasting a ton of plastic wrap or foil.
Whip up drinks
Credit: Hamilton Beach
Want to mix it up? This 10-speed Hamilton Beach smoothie electric blender(opens in a new tab) ($22.34, normally $44.99) is exactly what you need for crushing breakfast smoothies or slushy, frozen cocktails. The durable, stainless-steel blades and Wave Action system are made for smooth, consistent blending. Go ahead and claim bragging rights to piña colada champion of your block. When you’re done with happy hour, pop the BPA-free plastic jar in the dishwasher for easy cleanup.
