What you need for a camping barbecue

A camping barbecue needs more than meat and charcoal. You’ll need food and drinks for the final guest count, chilled storage, reusable tableware, lighting and equipment that works away from a kitchen. Plan portions before you shop, then add supplies for rain, wind and cleaning. This list helps you organise the barbecue, buffet and campsite setup without discovering missing essentials after the shops have closed.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Party tentqty 2
Tablesqty 6
Chairsqty 32
Windbreaksqty 2
Tableclothqty 6

Tableware

Reusable platesqty 40
Reusable bowlsqty 40
Reusable glassesqty 50
Coffee cupsqty 35
Cutlery setsqty 40
Serving spoonsqty 8

Equipment

Barbecueqty 2
Coolersqty 4
Coffee maker
Extension cordsqty 3
Power stripsqty 2
Bluetooth speaker
Lighterqty 2

Kitchen

Cutting boardsqty 4
Chef's knifeqty 3
Mixing bowlsqty 4
Frying pan
Aluminum foilqty 2

Lighting

String lightsqty 4
Battery lanternsqty 4

Cleaning

Dishpanqty 2
Reusable cleaning clothsqty 8

Catering

Groceries
- Hamburgers - 36 pieces
- Chicken skewers - 36 pieces
- Beef sausages - 36 pieces
- Vegetarian burgers - 12 pieces
- Vegetarian skewers - 12 pieces
- Hamburger buns - 48 pieces
- Baguettes - 8 pieces
- Herb butter - 6 tubs
- Iceberg lettuce - 4 heads
- Tomatoes - 3 kilos
- Cucumbers - 6 pieces
- Bell peppers - 3 kilos
- Red onions - 1 kilo
- Corn cobs - 36 pieces
- Mushrooms - 2 kilos
- Potatoes - 5 kilos
- Potato salad - 3 kilos
- Pasta salad - 3 kilos
- Garlic sauce - 3 bottles
- Satay sauce - 3 jars
- Mayonnaise - 2 jars
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Barbecue sauce - 2 bottles
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Olive oil - 2 bottles
- Salt - 1 tin
- Pepper - 1 can
- Paprika powder - 1 can
- Italian herbs - 1 canister
- Barbecue seasoning - 2 tins
- Charcoal - 12 kilos
- Firelighters - 2 boxes
- Cola - 8 bottles
- Cola Zero - 6 bottles
- Sinas - 4 bottles
- Spa Blauw - 6 bottles
- Spa Red - 4 bottles
- Beer - 6 crates
- Alcohol-free beer - 2 six-packs
- Rosé - 6 bottles
- Coffee - 3 packs
- Tea - 2 boxes
- Milk - 4 liters
- Sugar - 1 kilo
- Ice cubes - 12 kilo
- Ice lollies - 40 pieces
- Plain chips - 4 bags
- Paprika chips - 4 bags
- Peanuts - 2 bags
- Marshmallows - 4 bags
- Cookies - 4 packs
- Napkins - 4 packs
- Paper towels - 6 rolls
- Toilet paper - 12 rolls
- Trash bags - 3 rolls
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- Hand soap - 2 bottles
- Hand gel - 3 bottles
- Sponges - 1 pack

Tips

Plan around 200–250 g of meat or other grilled food per adult, plus salads, bread and side dishes. Add vegetarian portions only after checking dietary requirements and the final guest count.
Allow roughly 2–3 drinks per person for the first hour, then 1–2 per person for each additional hour. Bring extra drinking water, especially when guests are camping overnight.
Chill meat, salads and drinks before leaving and pack them in coolers with enough ice or frozen packs to stay cold until grilling. Keep raw meat separate from ready-to-eat food.
Take at least one complete reusable plate, bowl, glass, cup and cutlery set per guest, plus 10–15% spare. Serving spoons, cutting boards and a chef’s knife are easy to overlook when packing.
Pack lighting for the whole evening: string lights for the tables and battery lanterns for paths, cooking and the washing area. Bring extension cords and power strips only if the campsite provides a safe power connection.

Frequently asked questions

How much food do I need for a camping barbecue?: For adults, plan 200–250 g of meat or other grilled food per person, plus 150–200 g of salads and side dishes. For children, 100–150 g of grilled food is usually enough. Confirm the final number of guests and dietary requirements before buying.
How many drinks should I buy for a camping barbecue?: Start with 2–3 drinks per person for the first hour, then allow 1–2 drinks per person for every additional hour. Include plenty of water and keep chilled drinks in coolers until they are served.
What should I bring for a barbecue at a campsite?: Bring the barbecue, lighter, coolers, food, drinks, reusable tableware, serving utensils, cutting boards, a knife, foil and cleaning supplies. Add tables, chairs, a party tent or windbreaks, lighting and power leads when the campsite does not provide them.
How early should I buy and prepare the barbecue food?: Buy fresh meat and salads no more than 1 day before the barbecue, then keep them chilled. Wash and cut vegetables, prepare marinades and check the equipment on the day before, so setup at the campsite takes less time.

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