What you need for a barbecue evening

Use this barbecue evening shopping list to prepare food, drinks, serving items and outdoor equipment without last-minute trips to the store. Plan portions after confirming the guest count, including dietary requirements and vegetarian options. Keep meat and vegetarian food separate, chill drinks before guests arrive, and check whether your barbecue needs gas or a safe power connection. The list also covers seating, coolers, waste bins, lighting and a party tent if the weather changes.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Party tentsqty 2
Tablesqty 6
Chairsqty 45
Buffet tablesqty 2
Waste binsqty 4

Tableware

Platesqty 50
Dessert platesqty 50
Glassesqty 60
Coffee cupsqty 45
Forksqty 50
Knivesqty 50
Spoonsqty 50
Serving spoonsqty 12

Equipment

Barbecuesqty 2
Gas cylindersqty 2
Coolersqty 4
Extension cordsqty 3
Power stripsqty 3
Kitchen scale
Meat thermometersqty 2

Kitchen

Cutting boardsqty 6
Chef's knivesqty 4
Mixing bowlsqty 6
Serving plattersqty 12
Serving tongsqty 8
Aluminum traysqty 8
Barbecue tongsqty 4
Oven mittsqty 4

Decorations

Tableclothsqty 6
Napkin holdersqty 6
Buntingqty 4
Flower arrangementsqty 6

Lighting

String lightsqty 4
Lanternsqty 6

Cleaning

Washing-up tubsqty 3
Broom and dustpanqty 2
Bucketsqty 3
Reusable clothsqty 12
Ice packsqty 16

Catering

Groceries
- Beef burgers - 40 pieces
- Chicken skewers - 40 pieces
- Pork satay - 40 pieces
- Sausages - 40 pieces
- Vegetarian burgers - 12 pieces
- Vegetarian skewers - 12 pieces
- Hamburger buns - 48 pieces
- Baguettes - 8 pieces
- Herb butter - 6 tubs
- Iceberg lettuce - 6 heads
- Tomatoes - 4 kilogram
- Cucumbers - 6 pieces
- Red onions - 2 kilograms
- Peppers - 3 kilograms
- Zucchini - 2 kilogram
- Mushrooms - 2 kilogram
- Corn on the cob - 40 pieces
- Potato salad - 4 kilogram
- Pasta salad - 4 kilograms
- Coleslaw - 3 kilograms
- Mixed green salad - 3 kilograms
- Herbs - 6 jars
- Salt - 1 pack
- Black pepper - 1 jar
- Paprika powder - 1 jar
- Garlic powder - 1 jar
- Barbecue sauce - 3 bottles
- Ketchup - 3 bottles
- Mayonnaise - 3 jars
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Garlic sauce - 2 bottles
- Chili sauce - 2 bottles
- Water - 48 bottles
- Sparkling water - 24 bottles
- Cola - 12 bottles
- Cola Zero - 8 bottles
- Sinas - 6 bottles
- Iced tea - 6 bottles
- Non-alcoholic beer - 24 bottles
- Beer - 96 bottles
- Rosé - 8 bottles
- White wine - 6 bottles
- Red wine - 6 bottles
- Coffee - 2 packs
- Tea - 2 boxes
- Milk - 4 liters
- Sugar - 1 kilogram
- Lemons - 2 kilograms
- Ice - 12 kilogram
- Ice lollies - 50 pieces
- Brownies - 50 pieces
- Fresh fruit - 5 kilogram
- Plain chips - 6 bags
- Paprika chips - 6 bags
- Peanut mix - 3 bags
- Satay skewers - 2 packs
- Aluminum foil - 3 rolls
- Cling film - 2 rolls
- Baking paper - 2 rolls
- Disposable napkins - 200 pieces
- Paper towels - 6 rolls
- Garbage bags - 30 pieces
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls

Tips

Plan around 250–300 g of main food per adult, then add salads, bread and dessert separately. Buy vegetarian portions after collecting dietary requirements rather than guessing.
Allow two to three drinks per person for the first hour, then roughly one drink per person per hour. Chill drinks several hours ahead and fill the coolers before setup begins.
Keep raw meat, vegetarian food and ready-to-eat salads on separate trays and cutting boards. Use separate tongs for the barbecue and replace serving utensils if they touch raw food.
Count one plate, one dessert plate, one glass, one fork, one knife and one napkin per guest, plus about 10% extra. Add serving spoons, platters and tongs so guests do not use tableware for shared dishes.
Check the forecast the day before and set up the rain alternative before guests arrive. Test extension cords, power strips and lighting, and keep the barbecue away from the party tent and other flammable items.

Frequently asked questions

How much food do I need for a barbecue evening?: For a mixed barbecue, plan about 250–300 g of main food per adult, plus salads, bread and dessert. Add extra portions for children or guests who will eat more, and confirm the final headcount 1–2 days before shopping.
How many drinks should I buy for a barbecue?: Allow two to three drinks per person for the first hour, followed by about one drink per person per hour. Buy and chill non-perishable drinks first, then add fresh or specialty drinks after the guest count is confirmed.
When should I buy meat and fresh vegetables for a barbecue?: Do non-perishable shopping several days in advance, but buy meat and other fresh groceries 1 day before the barbecue. Store meat and vegetarian products separately and keep both chilled until preparation.
How many plates and glasses do I need per guest?: Allow one dinner plate, one dessert plate and one glass per guest, with roughly 10% extra for breakage or replacements. Provide separate coffee cups and enough forks, knives, spoons and serving utensils for the full meal.

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