What to buy for a friends’ barbecue

A friends’ barbecue is easier to run when the shopping is matched to the guest count and the way food will be served. Plan the main food, vegetarian options, salads, bread, sauces, dessert and drinks before you head to the shop. You will also need more than ingredients: coolers, serving utensils, charcoal, tableware and waste bins are easy to overlook. Check dietary requirements and the weather before buying perishables or setting up outside.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Party tent
Tablesqty 4
Chairsqty 24
Buffet table
Folding chairsqty 4

Tableware

Platesqty 30
Bowlsqty 24
Cutlery setsqty 30
Drinking glassesqty 30
Wine glassesqty 20
Coffee cupsqty 20
Serving plattersqty 8
Serving tongsqty 4

Equipment

Charcoal barbecue
Coolersqty 3
Wireless speaker
Extension cordqty 2
Core thermometer
Lighterqty 2

Kitchen

Chef's knifeqty 2
Cutting boardsqty 4
Mixing bowlsqty 4
Grill tongsqty 3
Aluminum foilqty 2

Decorations

Buntingqty 4
Tableclothsqty 4
Lanternsqty 6

Lighting

String lightsqty 3
LED lanternsqty 4

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 3
Bucketsqty 2
Dish brushesqty 2
Reusable cleaning clothsqty 8

Catering

Groceries
- Hamburgers - 24 pieces
- Chicken skewers - 24 pieces
- Sausages - 24 pieces
- Pork belly slices - 1.5 kilos
- Vegetarian burgers - 8 pieces
- Vegetarian skewers - 8 pieces
- Hamburger buns - 30 pieces
- Baguettes - 5 pieces
- Herb butter - 3 tubs
- Potatoes - 3 kilo
- Corn on the cob - 12 pieces
- Zucchini - 4 pieces
- Bell peppers - 8 pieces
- Mushrooms - 1 kilo
- Red onions - 6 pieces
- Cucumbers - 4 pieces
- Tomatoes - 1.5 kilos
- Arugula - 4 bags
- Iceberg lettuce - 3 heads
- Pasta salad - 2,5 kilo
- Potato salad - 2.5 kilos
- Feta salad - 1.5 kilos
- Pickles - 2 jars
- Olives - 2 jars
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Mayonnaise - 2 bottles
- Garlic sauce - 2 bottles
- Barbecue sauce - 2 bottles
- Mustard - 1 bottle
- Chili sauce - 1 bottle
- Olive oil - 1 bottle
- Barbecue seasoning - 2 jars
- Paprika powder - 1 jar
- Garlic powder - 1 jar
- Salt - 1 pack
- Black pepper - 1 jar
- Strawberries - 2 kilos
- Grapes - 2 kilos
- Melons - 2 pieces
- Ice cream - 3 tubs
- Chocolate mousse - 24 servings
- Paprika chips - 3 bags
- Plain chips - 3 bags
- Peanuts - 2 bags
- Cola - 6 bottles
- Cola Zero - 4 bottles
- Sinas - 4 bottles
- Iced tea - 4 bottles
- Sparkling water - 6 bottles
- Still water - 6 bottles
- Beer - 48 bottles
- Alcohol-free beer - 12 bottles
- Rosé - 4 bottles
- White wine - 3 bottles
- Red wine - 3 bottles
- Coffee - 2 packs
- Tea - 1 box
- Milk - 4 liters
- Honey - 1 jar
- Sugar - 1 pack
- Lemons - 8 pieces
- Charcoal - 2 bags
- Firelighters - 2 packs
- Napkins - 3 packs
- Paper towels - 4 rolls
- Toilet paper - 12 rolls
- Trash bags - 2 rolls
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 1 bottle
- Sponges - 2 packs

Tips

Allow about 250–300 g of meat or vegetarian barbecue food per adult, plus bread, salads and vegetables. Buy a little extra only after the final guest count is confirmed.
Plan two to three drinks per person for the first hour, then about one drink per hour. Chill drinks in coolers before guests arrive; a crowded refrigerator usually will not hold everything.
Buy charcoal and firelighters before the day itself, and check that the barbecue is clean and usable. Keep a lighter, grill tongs and a core thermometer with the equipment rather than leaving them in the kitchen.
For each guest, allow one dinner plate, one drinking glass and one cutlery set, with at least 10% extra for dropped or dirty items. Add separate bowls, serving platters and serving tongs for salads, sauces and cooked food.
Do not forget practical outdoor supplies: aluminium foil, chopping boards, a sharp chef’s knife, tablecloths and waste bins. If the forecast is changeable, arrange a party tent and lighting before the shopping trip is finished.

Frequently asked questions

How much food do I need for a friends’ barbecue?: Allow around 250–300 g of meat or vegetarian barbecue food per adult. Add bread, salads, vegetables and dessert separately, and increase the total once the final guest count is known.
How many drinks should I buy for a barbecue?: Plan two to three drinks per guest for the first hour, followed by roughly one drink per hour. Include water and non-alcoholic options, and chill the drinks several hours before guests arrive.
How many plates and glasses do I need for a barbecue?: Buy one plate, one drinking glass and one cutlery set per guest, plus at least 10% extra. For 20 guests, that means at least 22 of each basic item.
What barbecue supplies do people often forget?: Charcoal, firelighters, serving tongs, aluminium foil and a core thermometer are commonly missed. Check these at least 2–3 days beforehand, along with coolers, waste bins and extension cords for outdoor lighting.

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