What to Buy for a Barbecue Picnic

A barbecue picnic needs more than meat and drinks. Plan food for the final guest count, then add the practical items that are easy to forget: chilled storage, serving utensils, plates, cups, rubbish bins and supplies for eating outdoors. Keep meat refrigerated until it goes on the barbecue, and prepare salads, vegetables, marinades and sauces before guests arrive. This shopping list plan helps you check what must be bought, packed and transported before setup starts.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Foldable tablesqty 6
Folding chairsqty 45
Picnic blanketsqty 10
Party tentsqty 2
Tableclothsqty 6

Equipment

Barbecuesqty 2
Coolersqty 4
Thermos flasksqty 4
Extension cordsqty 2

Kitchen

Cutting boardsqty 4
Chef's knifeqty 4
Serving tongsqty 6
Serving spoonsqty 6
Mixing bowlsqty 6

Tableware

Reusable platesqty 50
Reusable bowlsqty 50
Reusable cupsqty 60
Reusable cutleryqty 60
Coffee cupsqty 45
Water carafesqty 6

Decorations

Buntingqty 6
Table décorqty 6

Lighting

String lightsqty 4
LED lampsqty 8

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 4
Bucketsqty 3
Spongesqty 6
Towelsqty 12

Catering

Groceries
- Hamburgers - 50 pieces
- Chicken skewers - 40 pieces
- Barbecue sausages - 40 pieces
- Vegetarian burgers - 15 pieces
- Vegetarian vegetable skewers - 15 pieces
- Hamburger buns - 55 pieces
- Pita bread - 40 pieces
- Herb butter - 4 tubs
- Baguettes - 8 pieces
- Potatoes - 5 kilograms
- Corn cobs - 40 pieces
- Zucchini - 8 pieces
- Bell peppers - 12 pieces
- Mushrooms - 2 kilogram
- Red onions - 10 pieces
- Cucumbers - 6 pieces
- Tomatoes - 3 kilograms
- Lettuce - 6 heads
- Potato salad - 4 kilogram
- Pasta salad - 4 kilograms
- Mixed salad - 3 kilogram
- Feta - 1 kilogram
- Shredded cheese - 1 kilogram
- Hamburger sauce - 3 bottles
- Ketchup - 3 bottles
- Mayonnaise - 3 jars
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Garlic sauce - 2 bottles
- Barbecue sauce - 3 bottles
- Olive oil - 2 bottles
- Salt - 1 pack
- Black pepper - 1 jar
- Paprika powder - 1 jar
- Barbecue seasoning - 2 jars
- Garlic - 4 bulbs
- Lemons - 10 pieces
- Water - 40 liter
- Sparkling water - 12 bottles
- Cola - 8 bottles
- Cola Zero - 6 bottles
- Sinas - 6 bottles
- Iced tea - 6 bottles
- Non-alcoholic beer - 24 bottles
- Beer - 72 bottles
- Rosé - 8 bottles
- White wine - 6 bottles
- Red wine - 4 bottles
- Coffee - 3 packs
- Tea - 2 boxes
- Milk - 6 liters
- Oat milk - 3 liters
- Sugar - 1 kilogram
- Ice cubes - 12 kilograms
- Plain chips - 6 bags
- Paprika chips - 6 bags
- Peanuts - 2 kilograms
- Olives - 4 jars
- Watermelons - 3 pieces
- Grapes - 3 kilograms
- Strawberries - 3 kilograms
- Apples - 40 pieces
- Brownies - 50 pieces
- Cookies - 6 packs
- Aluminum foil - 3 rolls
- Cling film - 2 rolls
- Barbecue charcoal - 12 kilograms
- Firelighters - 2 boxes
- Trash bags - 3 rolls
- Paper towels - 6 rolls
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- Hand soap - 3 bottles
- Toilet paper - 12 rolls

Tips

Buy barbecue food only after confirming the final guest count, then allow roughly 250–350 g of meat or other main food per adult, plus vegetables, salads and bread.
Plan two to three drinks per person for the first hour, then one drink per person per additional hour. Bring extra water and use coolers to keep perishable food and drinks cold.
Pack one reusable plate, bowl, cup and set of cutlery per guest, plus at least 10% extra. Add serving tongs and serving spoons so guests do not use eating utensils at the buffet.
Prepare vegetables, salads, marinades and sauces before leaving for the picnic. Keep barbecue meat refrigerated until cooking time and transport it in a cooler rather than loose in a bag.
Count practical outdoor supplies before shopping: provide one waste bin for roughly 15–20 guests, and take towels, sponges, buckets and enough table covering for every food and drinks table.

Frequently asked questions

What food do I need for a barbecue picnic?: For each adult, plan about 250–350 g of barbecue meat or other main food, plus vegetables, salads and bread. Add marinades, sauces and dietary alternatives after collecting guests’ requirements, ideally at least 3–5 days before the picnic.
How many drinks should I buy for a barbecue picnic?: Allow two to three drinks per person for the first hour and one per person for every additional hour. Include plenty of water, and chill drinks in coolers before guests arrive.
How many plates, cups and cutlery sets are needed?: Take one plate, bowl, cup and cutlery set per guest, plus at least 10% extra. For 30 guests, that means at least 33 of each item where practical, along with separate serving spoons and tongs.
When should I buy and prepare barbecue picnic food?: Buy fresh meat and other chilled food as close to the event as practical, preferably the same day or the day before. Wash and cut vegetables, prepare salads, marinades and sauces before transport, and keep meat refrigerated until it is cooked.

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