Birthday Barbecue Shopping List

Use this birthday barbecue shopping list to prepare the food, drinks, equipment and outdoor setup without last-minute trips to the store. Confirm your guest count and dietary requirements before buying meat, salads and drinks. Plan for a buffet, chilled beverages, enough seating and a covered area in case the weather changes. The checklist also covers practical items people often forget, such as serving utensils, food thermometers, coolers and outdoor lighting.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Party tent
Tablesqty 4
Chairsqty 30
Buffet table

Tableware

Platesqty 35
Bowlsqty 30
Glassesqty 40
Mugsqty 30
Cutlery setsqty 35
Serving plattersqty 8
Serving utensilsqty 8

Catering

Coolersqty 3
Water jugsqty 3
Drink dispensersqty 2
Groceries
- Beef burgers - 30 pieces
- Sausages - 30 pieces
- Chicken skewers - 30 pieces
- Vegetarian burgers - 8 pieces
- Vegetarian skewers - 8 pieces
- Burger buns - 36 pieces
- Hot dog buns - 36 pieces
- Garlic baguettes - 6 pieces
- Baby potatoes - 3 kilograms
- Corn on the cob - 30 pieces
- Zucchini - 6 pieces
- Bell peppers - 8 pieces
- Mushrooms - 1 kilogram
- Red onions - 6 pieces
- Cucumbers - 4 pieces
- Tomatoes - 2 kilograms
- Head lettuce - 4 heads
- Potato salad - 2 kilograms
- Pasta salad - 2 kilograms
- Mixed salad - 2 kilograms
- Feta - 500 grams
- Grated cheese - 1 kilogram
- Cheddar slices - 36 slices
- Bacon - 1 kilogram
- Pickles - 2 jars
- Fried onions - 2 bags
- Mayonnaise - 2 bottles
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Barbecue sauce - 2 bottles
- Garlic sauce - 2 bottles
- Satay sauce - 2 jars
- Olive oil - 1 bottle
- Salt - 1 container
- Black pepper - 1 canister
- Paprika powder - 1 canister
- Italian herbs - 1 canister
- Garlic - 3 bulbs
- Paprika chips - 3 bags
- Plain chips - 3 bags
- Salted nuts - 2 bags
- Grapes - 2 kilogram
- Strawberries - 1 kilogram
- Watermelon - 2 pieces
- Birthday cake - 1 piece
- Ice cream - 4 liters
- Cola - 6 bottles
- Cola Zero - 4 bottles
- Orange soda - 4 bottles
- Iced tea - 4 bottles
- Sparkling water - 6 bottles
- Still water - 6 bottles
- Alcohol-free beer - 24 bottles
- Beer - 48 bottles
- Rosé - 4 bottles
- Red wine - 3 bottles
- White wine - 3 bottles
- Coffee - 2 packs
- Tea - 1 box
- Sugar - 1 kilogram
- Milk - 4 liters
- Lemons - 6 pieces
- Barbecue charcoal - 2 bags
- Fire starters - 1 box
- Aluminum foil - 2 rolls
- Cling film - 1 roll
- Napkins - 100 pieces
- Paper towels - 4 rolls
- Toilet paper - 12 rolls
- Trash bags - 2 rolls
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 1 bottle
- Hand soap - 2 bottles
- Paper towels - 2 packs

Equipment

Barbecue
Barbecue lighterqty 2
Meat thermometer
Bluetooth Speaker

Kitchen

Grill tongsqty 3
Grill spatulasqty 2
Cutting Boardsqty 3
Kitchen knivesqty 3
Mixing bowlsqty 4
Aluminum traysqty 6
Ice packsqty 12

Decorations

Bannersqty 6
Balloonqty 30
Tableclothsqty 4

Lighting

String Lightsqty 3
LED lanternsqty 4

Cleaning

Bucketsqty 2
Dish brushesqty 2
Reusable cleaning clothsqty 8

Tips

Plan around 250–300 g of meat or vegetarian barbecue food per adult, then add side dishes, salads and bread. Buy extra portions only after checking how many guests have confirmed.
Allow 2–3 drinks per person for the first hour, then about 1 drink per hour. Chill beverages several hours ahead and keep a separate cooler for food so it is not opened constantly.
Count plates, bowls, glasses, mugs and cutlery for every guest, then add 10% extra. Serving spoons, tongs and large serving dishes are easy to overlook when setting up a buffet.
Prepare marinades, salads, sauces and chopped vegetables the day before where possible. Store raw meat separately in coolers with ice packs and use a meat thermometer during cooking.
Set up the barbecue on a stable, clear surface at least 2–3 metres from the house, tent and anything flammable. If the party continues after dark, place LED lanterns or light strings near the cooking and serving areas.

Frequently asked questions

How much food do I need for a birthday barbecue?: Allow about 250–300 g of barbecue food per adult, plus 150–200 g of salads, vegetables or other sides. For children, 150–200 g of barbecue food is usually enough, depending on their age and the menu.
How many drinks should I buy for a barbecue?: Plan for 2–3 drinks per guest during the first hour and around 1 drink per hour afterwards. Include water and non-alcoholic options, and chill the drinks at least 3–4 hours before guests arrive.
How many plates and glasses do I need for a barbecue?: Provide one plate, bowl, glass and cutlery set per guest, plus roughly 10% extra. For 20 guests, that means at least 22 of each item, with additional mugs if you are serving coffee or tea.
When should I prepare the food for a birthday barbecue?: Make salads, sauces, marinades and chopped vegetables the day before when possible. Take raw meat out for preparation shortly before cooking, and keep it chilled until the barbecue is ready.

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