What to Buy for a Barbecue Dinner

A barbecue dinner needs more than meat and charcoal. Plan food for the confirmed guest count, including vegetarian options, salads, bread, snacks and drinks, then check that you have enough plates, glasses and serving equipment. Keep chilled food in coolers with ice packs until it goes on the barbecue. Buy fresh ingredients one day before the dinner where possible, and complete the final drinks and ice run on the day itself.

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What to bring

Grouped the way you'd shop for it, with quantities.

Furniture

Party tentsqty 2
Foldable tablesqty 6
Folding chairsqty 36
Buffet tablesqty 2
Drinks table

Tableware

Dinner platesqty 40
Dessert platesqty 40
Cutlery setsqty 40
Water glassesqty 40
Wine glassesqty 30
Coffee cupsqty 30
Serving spoonsqty 8
Serving plattersqty 8

Equipment

Gas barbecuesqty 2
Gas cylindersqty 2
Coolersqty 4
Extension cordsqty 3
Power stripsqty 3

Kitchen

Cutting boardsqty 4
Chef’s knives and bread knivesqty 4
Mixing bowlsqty 5
Barbecue tongsqty 4
Barbecue spatulasqty 2
Meat thermometersqty 2
Aluminum traysqty 8
Ice packsqty 12

Decorations

Tableclothsqty 8
Napkin holdersqty 6

Lighting

String lightsqty 4
Battery lanternsqty 4

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 4
Bucketsqty 2
Spongesqty 6
Dish brushesqty 2
Floor squeegeesqty 2
Hand broomsqty 2
Dustpan and brushqty 2

Catering

Groceries
- Beef burgers - 36 pieces
- Chicken skewers - 36 pieces
- Pork satay - 30 pieces
- Beef sausages - 30 pieces
- Vegetarian burgers - 12 pieces
- Vegetarian skewers - 12 pieces
- Hamburger buns - 48 pieces
- Baguettes - 8 pieces
- Garlic butter - 4 tubs
- Herb butter - 4 tubs
- Baby potatoes - 4 kilogram
- Corn cobs - 24 pieces
- Zucchini - 8 pieces
- Bell peppers - 12 pieces
- Mushrooms - 2 kilogram
- Red onions - 8 pieces
- Cucumbers - 6 pieces
- Cherry tomatoes - 2 kilograms
- Mixed salad - 2 kilogram
- Arugula - 500 grams
- Feta cheese - 1 kilogram
- Pasta salad - 3 kilograms
- Potato salad - 3 kilogram
- Coleslaw - 2 kilograms
- Mayonnaise - 2 jars
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Garlic sauce - 2 bottles
- Satay sauce - 2 jars
- Barbecue sauce - 2 bottles
- Chili sauce - 1 bottle
- Olive oil - 1 bottle
- Salt - 1 pack
- Black pepper - 1 jar
- Paprika powder - 1 jar
- Garlic powder - 1 jar
- Italian herbs - 1 jar
- Lemons - 10 pieces
- Water - 48 bottles
- Sparkling water - 24 bottles
- Cola - 8 bottles
- Cola Zero - 6 bottles
- Sinas - 4 bottles
- Ice tea - 4 bottles
- Beer - 5 crates
- Alcohol-free beer - 1 crate
- Rosé - 8 bottles
- White wine - 6 bottles
- Red wine - 6 bottles
- Coffee - 2 packs
- Tea - 2 boxes
- Milk - 4 liters
- Oat milk - 2 liter
- Sugar - 1 kilogram
- Ice cubes - 10 kilograms
- Watermelons - 3 pieces
- Strawberries - 2 kilograms
- Grapes - 2 kilogram
- Vanilla ice cream - 4 liters
- Brownies - 40 pieces
- Paprika chips - 4 bags
- Plain chips - 4 bags
- Peanuts - 2 bags
- Napkins - 100 pieces
- Aluminum foil - 2 rolls
- Cling film - 2 rolls
- Parchment paper - 1 roll
- Paper towels - 6 rolls
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Garbage bags - 3 rolls
- Toilet paper - 2 packs
- Hand soap - 2 bottles

Tips

Plan about 250–300 g of meat or vegetarian food per adult, plus 150–200 g of salads and vegetables. Add at least one vegetarian main option for every guest who requested one.
Buy 2–3 drinks per person for the first hour, then 1–2 drinks per person for each additional hour. Include water as well as alcoholic and non-alcoholic choices.
Allow one dinner plate, one dessert plate, one cutlery set and one water glass per guest, plus 10% extra. For a group of 20, that means 22 of each basic item.
Prepare salads, wash vegetables and marinate meat the day before. Keep raw meat separate from vegetables and transport both in coolers with ice packs.
Do not leave gas, lighting and power checks until guests arrive. Confirm the barbecue and gas cylinders at least 2 days ahead, and test extension cords and battery lanterns before setup.

Frequently asked questions

How much food do I need for a barbecue dinner per person?: Allow 250–300 g of meat or vegetarian main food per adult, plus 150–200 g of salads and vegetables. Add bread and snacks separately, especially if dinner starts more than an hour after guests arrive.
How many drinks should I buy for a barbecue dinner?: Plan 2–3 drinks per person for the first hour and 1–2 more for every following hour. For a four-hour dinner with 20 guests, that is roughly 100–140 drinks, including water and non-alcoholic options.
How many plates and glasses do I need for a barbecue?: Buy one dinner plate, dessert plate, cutlery set and water glass per guest, with 10% extra for breakage or replacements. For 20 guests, prepare 22 of each basic item and add wine glasses only if wine is being served.
When should I buy barbecue food and ice?: Buy meat, fish and other chilled food no more than one day before the dinner, and keep it refrigerated. Buy ice or freeze ice packs on the day itself, ideally within 2–3 hours of serving.

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