Family barbecue shopping list
A family barbecue needs more than meat and charcoal. This shopping list covers the food service, drinks station, outdoor seating and barbecue tools you need to prepare the garden and serve everyone smoothly. Plan quantities from your guest list, then check dietary requirements before you shop. Buy chilled drinks and fresh food close to the event, while arranging tables, chairs, a party tent and reusable items several days ahead.
What to bring
Grouped the way you'd shop for it, with quantities.
Furniture
- Party tent
- Foldable tablesqty 5
- Chairsqty 40
- Buffet table
- Parasolsqty 2
- Tableclothsqty 6
Tableware
- Dinner platesqty 50
- Bowlsqty 40
- Dessert platesqty 40
- Drinking glassesqty 60
- Wine glassesqty 40
- Coffee mugsqty 40
- Cutlery setsqty 50
- Serving boardsqty 8
Decorations
- Buntingqty 3
- Balloonsqty 40
- Flower vasesqty 4
- Table decorationsqty 6
Equipment
- Barbecuesqty 2
- Coolersqty 3
- Bluetooth speaker
- Extension cordsqty 2
- Power stripsqty 2
- Meat thermometer
Kitchen
- Barbecue tongsqty 4
- Barbecue spatulasqty 2
- Serving spoonsqty 8
- Cutting boardsqty 3
- Chef's knivesqty 3
- Mixing bowlsqty 4
- Serving plattersqty 8
- Thermos flasksqty 2
- Ice scoop
- Food storage containersqty 10
Cleaning
- Bucketsqty 2
- Broomsqty 2
- Dustpans
- Mopsqty 2
- Toilet brush
Lighting
- String lightsqty 4
- LED lanternsqty 4
Sports equipment
- Badminton set
- Soccer
- Frisbeesqty 2
Catering
- Groceries
- Beef burgers - 40 pieces
- Roast sausage links - 40 pieces
- Chicken skewers - 40 pieces
- Vegetarian burgers - 10 pieces
- Hamburger buns - 40 pieces
- Sausage rolls - 40 pieces
- Cheddar slices - 2 packs
- Mixed lettuce - 3 heads
- Tomatoes - 2 kilos
- Onions - 1 kilo
- Cucumbers - 3 pieces
- Bell peppers - 2 kilos
- Mushrooms - 1 kilo
- Corn on the cob - 40 pieces
- Potatoes - 5 kilos
- Pasta salad - 3 kilos
- Pasta - 2 kilo
- Cherry tomatoes - 1.5 kilos
- Feta - 500 grams
- Watermelons - 2 pieces
- Grapes - 2 kilos
- Apples - 3 kilos
- Ice - 4 tubs
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Mayonnaise - 2 jars
- Garlic sauce - 2 bottles
- Barbecue sauce - 2 bottles
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Olive oil - 2 bottles
- Garlic - 4 bulbs
- Paprika powder - 1 jar
- Italian herbs - 1 jar
- Salt - 1 pack
- Black pepper - 1 jar
- Paprika chips - 3 bags
- Plain chips - 3 bags
- Salty pretzels - 2 bags
- Peanuts - 2 bags
- Spa Blue - 48 bottles
- Spa Rood - 24 small bottles
- Cola - 12 bottles
- Cola Zero - 12 bottles
- Lemonade - 8 bottles
- Fruit juice - 6 cartons
- Beer - 48 bottles
- Rosé - 6 bottles
- White wine - 4 bottles
- Coffee - 2 packs
- Tea - 1 box
- Milk - 4 liters
- Sugar - 1 kilo
- Barbecue charcoal - 3 bags
- Firelighters - 2 boxes
- Aluminum foil - 2 rolls
- Cling film - 2 rolls
- Paper napkins - 100 pieces
- Paper towels - 6 rolls
- Toilet paper - 12 rolls
- Trash bags - 2 rolls
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- Dishwasher tablets - 1 box
- Hand soap - 2 dispensers
- Sponges - 1 pack
- Ice cubes - 10 kilos
Tips
- Plan around two to three drinks per person for the first hour, then one drink per person for each additional hour. Chill the drinks before guests arrive and keep a separate cooler for bottles and cans.
- Allow one dinner plate, one dessert plate, one bowl, one drinking glass and one full cutlery set per guest, plus at least 10% extra. Add wine glasses and coffee mugs only if those drinks are on your menu.
- Buy enough barbecue food for the confirmed guest count, including separate options for dietary requirements. Keep raw meat and vegetables apart, and use a meat thermometer rather than judging doneness by colour.
- Set aside two cutting boards, chef’s knives, mixing bowls and serving spoons for preparation and buffet service. Barbecue tongs and spatulas should not be used for both raw and cooked food.
- Arrange the party tent or parasols, tables and chairs before the event day if possible. Keep extension cords and power strips away from wet ground, and check that the barbecue and drinks station fit safely in the available space.
Frequently asked questions
- How much food do I need for a family barbecue?
- Start with the confirmed guest count and plan about 300–400 g of main food per adult, including meat, fish or vegetable alternatives. Add side dishes and dessert separately, and increase the amount if the barbecue is the main meal for several hours.
- How many drinks should I buy for a family barbecue?
- For the first hour, allow two to three drinks per person, followed by about one drink per person per hour. Include water and non-alcoholic options for every guest, then chill the drinks at least 4–6 hours before serving.
- How many plates and glasses do I need for a barbecue?
- Buy or collect one dinner plate, dessert plate, bowl, drinking glass and cutlery set per guest, plus 10% extra. For 20 guests, that means 22 of each basic item so replacements are available.
- When should I shop for a family barbecue?
- Buy shelf-stable supplies, tableware and decorations 3–7 days ahead. Shop for meat, vegetables, salads and fruit 1 day before, then chill drinks and finish fresh preparation on the day.
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