Meat barbecue shopping list

Use this shopping list to prepare a meat barbecue without last-minute supermarket runs. Plan the meat, marinades, salads, vegetables, drinks and barbecue fuel around your final guest count, then add the equipment needed to keep food cold, serve it safely and clear up quickly. Refrigerate the meat as soon as you get home, and buy disposable or reusable serving supplies before preparation day—not on the morning of the barbecue.

Organize this event for free with Lizzt

What to bring

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

Furniture

Party tentsqty 2
Foldable tablesqty 6
Folding chairsqty 45
Buffet tablesqty 2
Waste binsqty 4

Tableware

Reusable platesqty 50
Reusable bowlsqty 50
Reusable cutleryqty 50
Drinking glassesqty 60
Coffee cupsqty 45
Serving plattersqty 8
Serving utensilsqty 10

Equipment

Barbecuesqty 2
Coolersqty 4
Coffee maker
Kettlesqty 2
Extension cordsqty 3
Power stripsqty 3
Meat thermometersqty 2

Kitchen

Cutting boardsqty 4
Chef’s knives and bread knivesqty 6
Mixing bowlsqty 5
Meat Tongsqty 4
Oven mittsqty 4
Aluminum tray pansqty 20
Food storage containersqty 12
Aluminum foilqty 2
Cling filmqty 2

Decorations

Tableclothsqty 8
Buntingqty 4
Table decorationsqty 8
Menu Board

Lighting

String lightsqty 4
Outdoor lightsqty 4

Cleaning

Bucketsqty 3
Spongesqty 8
Cleaning clothsqty 12
Broomqty 2
Dustpan and brushqty 2
Mopqty 2
Draining racksqty 2

Safety

Fire extinguishersqty 2
Heat-resistant matsqty 2

Catering

Groceries
- Beef burgers - 40 pieces
- Pork satay - 40 skewers
- Chicken thigh fillet - 3 kg
- Pork belly slices - 2 kg
- Beef sausage - 3 kg
- Chicken drumsticks - 2 kg
- Lamb chops - 1,5 kg
- Vegetarian burgers - 8 pieces
- Corn cobs - 20 pieces
- Hamburger buns - 45 pieces
- Baguettes - 8 pieces
- Herb butter - 4 tubs
- Potato salad - 4 kg
- Pasta salad - 4 kg
- Mixed green salad - 3 kg
- Cucumbers - 8 pieces
- Tomatoes - 3 kg
- Bell peppers - 2 kg
- Red onions - 1 kg
- Mushrooms - 1,5 kg
- Zucchinis - 6 pieces
- Iceberg lettuce - 4 heads
- Pickles - 2 jars
- Crispy fried onions - 2 bags
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Mayonnaise - 2 jars
- Garlic sauce - 2 bottles
- Barbecue sauce - 2 bottles
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Satay sauce - 2 jars
- Chili sauce - 2 bottles
- Olive oil - 2 bottles
- Salt - 1 tin
- Black pepper - 1 canister
- Paprika powder - 1 can
- Garlic powder - 1 canister
- Italian herbs - 1 canister
- Charcoal - 12 kg
- Firelighters - 2 boxes
- Cola - 8 bottles
- Cola Zero - 6 bottles
- Sinas - 4 bottles
- Ice tea - 4 bottles
- Spa Blauw - 8 bottles
- Spa Red - 4 bottles
- Beer - 8 crates
- Non-alcoholic lager - 2 crates
- Rosé - 8 bottles
- White wine - 6 bottles
- Red wine - 6 bottles
- Coffee - 2 packs
- Tea - 2 boxes
- Sugar - 1 kg
- Milk - 4 liters
- Oat milk - 2 liter
- Ice cubes - 12 kg
- Lemons - 2 kg
- Ice lollies - 40 pieces
- Brownies - 40 pieces
- Paprika chips - 4 bags
- Plain chips - 4 bags
- Paper towels - 8 rolls
- Napkins - 100 pieces
- Trash bags - 2 rolls
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Toilet paper - 12 rolls

Tips

Allow 250–350 g of raw meat per adult when meat is the main meal, or 150–200 g if you are serving several substantial salads, bread and vegetable skewers. Buy a little extra for a mixed selection rather than relying on one cut.
Plan two to three drinks per person for the first hour, then one drink per person per hour. Chill drinks in coolers at least 4 hours before guests arrive and keep raw meat in a separate cooler from ready-to-eat food.
Buy marinades and salad ingredients early enough to prepare them the day before. Wash vegetables, make salads and marinate the meat ahead of time, but keep everything refrigerated until the barbecue is ready.
Check the weather forecast 48 hours before the event and confirm that party tents, tables and chairs fit the available space. Outdoor lighting, extension cords and power strips are easy to forget when the setup is spread across the garden.
Bring at least one meat thermometer and separate tongs or utensils for raw and cooked food. Keep cutting boards and knives for raw meat away from salads and serving platters, and use covered trays or containers for leftovers.

Frequently asked questions

How much meat do I need for a barbecue per person?: Allow 250–350 g of raw meat per adult when the barbecue is the main meal. Reduce this to 150–200 g if you are serving several filling sides, bread and vegetable skewers.
How many drinks should I buy for a meat barbecue?: Plan two to three drinks per person for the first hour, followed by one drink per person for each additional hour. Add water and non-alcoholic options for every guest, and chill them at least 4 hours in advance.
When should I buy and marinate the meat for a barbecue?: Buy the meat 1 day before the barbecue, or on the same day if you can refrigerate it immediately. Marinate it several hours ahead, ideally overnight, and keep it covered and refrigerated until cooking.
How much barbecue fuel do I need?: For a typical barbecue lasting 2–3 hours, have enough fuel for the full cooking period plus one refill. Check the barbecue size and fuel instructions before shopping, and arrange the fuel at least 1 day before the event.

Start this plan in Lizzt

Every task and item on this page, ready in your own event. Invite people, split the work, and see who has done what.