Barbecue shopping list: what to buy and bring
A barbecue needs more than meat, bread, and drinks. Use this shopping list to cover the food, serving ware, cooling equipment, and cooking gear for your guests. Plan dietary requirements before you shop, keep meat refrigerated until it goes on the grill, and chill drinks several hours ahead. If you are cooking for a larger group, check whether one barbecue is enough and arrange an extra one before the day.
What to bring
Grouped the way you'd shop for it, with quantities.
Furniture
- Party tent
- Tablesqty 5
- Chairsqty 30
- Buffet tablesqty 2
- High tablesqty 3
Tableware
- Platesqty 40
- Bowlsqty 30
- Glassesqty 50
- Coffee cupsqty 30
- Cutlery setsqty 40
- Serving plattersqty 10
- Serving tongsqty 6
Decorations
- Tableclothsqty 7
- Buntingqty 4
- Table décorqty 8
- Lanternsqty 6
Equipment
- Gas barbecuesqty 2
- Gas cylindersqty 2
- Gas pressure regulatorsqty 2
- Coolersqty 3
- Ice packsqty 12
- Coffee maker
- Kettlesqty 2
- Extension cordsqty 3
- Power stripsqty 3
Kitchen
- Cutting boardsqty 4
- Chef's knivesqty 4
- Barbecue tongsqty 4
- Barbecue brushesqty 2
- Aluminum traysqty 20
Lighting
- String lightsqty 4
- Outdoor lightsqty 4
Cleaning
- Washing-up bowlsqty 2
- Dish brushesqty 3
- Cleaning bucketsqty 2
- Trash binsqty 4
Catering
- Groceries
- Hamburgers - 30 pieces
- Chicken skewers - 30 pieces
- Sausages - 30 pieces
- Bacon slices - 2 kilograms
- Marinated chicken breast - 2 kilograms
- Vegetarian burgers - 10 pieces
- Vegetarian skewers - 10 pieces
- Hamburger buns - 40 pieces
- Pistolets - 30 pieces
- Baguettes - 5 pieces
- Herb butter - 4 tubs
- Arugula - 4 bags
- Iceberg lettuce - 3 heads
- Tomatoes - 3 kilograms
- Cucumbers - 5 pieces
- Red onions - 1 kilogram
- Bell peppers - 12 pieces
- Zucchinis - 6 pieces
- Mushrooms - 1 kilogram
- Corn cobs - 20 pieces
- Potato salad - 3 kilogram
- Pasta salad - 3 kilograms
- Raw vegetable salad - 2 kilograms
- Slamix - 2 kilogram
- Potatoes - 4 kilograms
- Olive oil - 1 bottle
- Sunflower oil - 1 bottle
- Barbecue sauce - 3 bottles
- Ketchup - 3 bottles
- Mayonnaise - 3 jars
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Garlic sauce - 3 bottles
- Satay sauce - 2 jars
- Salt - 1 pack
- Pepper - 1 can
- Paprika powder - 1 can
- Barbecue spice mix - 2 sachets
- Cola - 8 bottles
- Cola Zero - 6 bottles
- Sinas - 4 bottles
- Iced tea - 4 bottles
- Spa Blauw - 8 bottles
- Spa Red - 4 bottles
- Beer - 6 crates
- Rosé - 6 bottles
- White wine - 4 bottles
- Red wine - 4 bottles
- Alcohol-free beer - 2 crates
- Coffee - 2 packs
- Tea - 2 boxes
- Sugar - 1 kilogram
- Milk - 4 liters
- Oat milk - 2 liter
- Lemons - 10 pieces
- Ice lollies - 40 pieces
- Brownies - 40 pieces
- Paprika chips - 4 bags
- Plain chips - 4 bags
- Peanuts - 3 bags
- Napkins - 150 pieces
- Aluminum foil - 2 rolls
- Cling film - 2 rolls
- Paper towels - 6 rolls
- Garbage bags - 30 pieces
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Sponges - 6 pieces
- Kitchen towels - 6 pieces
- Toilet paper - 12 rolls
- Liquid hand soap - 2 bottles
- Hand sanitizer - 2 bottles
- Charcoal - 3 bags
- Firelighters - 2 boxes
Tips
- Allow around 250–350 g of meat, fish, or vegetarian alternatives per adult, depending on how many salads and side dishes you serve. Buy separate options for confirmed dietary requirements rather than relying on guests to share.
- Plan two to three drinks per person for the first hour, then one drink per person per hour. Chill the first batch at least 4 hours before guests arrive and keep the rest in coolers with ice packs.
- For serving ware, count one plate, glass, and cutlery set per guest, then add at least 10% extra. A group of 20 therefore needs 22 plates, glasses, and cutlery sets to cover breakages and replacements.
- Do not leave gas equipment until shopping day: check the barbecue, gas cylinders, pressure regulators, and connections at least 3 days beforehand. Keep a barbecue brush, long tongs, and aluminum trays ready for cooked food.
- Prepare salads, cut vegetables, bread, and sauces before the barbecue starts so the grill is not also being used as a serving station. Store raw meat separately and keep it refrigerated until cooking.
Frequently asked questions
- How much meat do I need for a barbecue per person?
- Allow 250–350 g of meat, fish, or vegetarian alternatives per adult. Use the lower amount when you serve several salads, bread, and side dishes, and the higher amount for a meat-focused barbecue.
- How many drinks do I need for a barbecue?
- Plan two to three drinks per person for the first hour, followed by one drink per person for each additional hour. Buy extra water and keep at least one chilled batch ready before guests arrive.
- How many plates and glasses do I need for 20 people?
- Buy at least 22 plates, 22 glasses, and 22 cutlery sets for 20 guests. The extra 10% covers dropped items, replacements, and guests using a clean plate for dessert.
- When should I buy food for a barbecue?
- Buy fresh meat and other chilled foods no earlier than 1 day before the barbecue, unless you can store them safely at the required temperature. Check dietary requirements and the final guest count at least 3 days before shopping.
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