What to buy for a neighborhood barbecue

A neighborhood barbecue needs more than meat and charcoal. Plan food and drinks around your final guest count, then add the serving, cooling and cleanup items that are easy to overlook. Keep meat refrigerated until it goes on the barbecue, chill drinks before guests arrive and set out separate equipment for food preparation and serving. This checklist also covers practical items for shared tables, buffet service and an outdoor setup that may run into the evening.

Organize this event for free with Lizzt

What to bring

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

Furniture

Party tentsqty 2
Tablesqty 6
Chairsqty 55
Buffet tablesqty 2
Waste binsqty 4

Tableware

Reusable platesqty 60
Reusable bowlsqty 30
Reusable glassesqty 80
Reusable coffee cupsqty 30
Reusable cutleryqty 70
Serving plattersqty 10
Serving spoonsqty 8

Kitchen

Cutting boardsqty 4
Chef's knifeqty 4
Mixing bowlsqty 6
Aluminum barbecue traysqty 6
Meat Tongsqty 4
Barbecue brushesqty 2

Equipment

Barbecuesqty 2
Coolersqty 4
Thermos flasksqty 3
Water jugsqty 4
Extension cordsqty 2

Lighting

String lightsqty 4
Battery lanternsqty 4

Decorations

Buntingqty 6
Tableclothsqty 8
Chalkboardsqty 3

Cleaning

Washing-up basinsqty 3
Dish brushesqty 3
Cleaning glovesqty 4
Broomqty 2
Dustpan and brushqty 2
Mopqty 2

Catering

Groceries
- Hamburgers - 60 pieces
- Grill sausages - 50 pieces
- Chicken skewers - 40 pieces
- Vegetarian burgers - 15 pieces
- Hamburger buns - 60 pieces
- Hot dog buns - 50 pieces
- Baguettes - 6 pieces
- Sliced cheddar - 60 pieces
- Herb butter - 4 tubs
- Baby potatoes - 5 kilograms
- Corn cobs - 30 pieces
- Mushrooms - 2 kilogram
- Zucchinis - 6 pieces
- Bell peppers - 12 pieces
- Red onions - 2 kilograms
- Tomatoes - 3 kilograms
- Cucumbers - 8 pieces
- Iceberg lettuce - 6 heads
- Arugula - 500 grams
- Potato salad - 4 kilogram
- Coleslaw - 4 kilograms
- Mixed salad - 4 kilograms
- Pickles - 3 jars
- Ketchup - 3 bottles
- Mayonnaise - 3 jars
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Barbecue sauce - 3 bottles
- Garlic sauce - 3 bottles
- Olive oil - 2 bottles
- Salt - 1 pack
- Black pepper - 1 jar
- Paprika powder - 1 jar
- Italian herbs - 1 jar
- Plain chips - 8 bags
- Paprika chips - 8 bags
- Tortilla chips - 6 bags
- Salsa dip - 4 jars
- Peanuts - 3 bags
- Still water - 48 bottles
- Sparkling water - 24 bottles
- Cola - 8 bottles
- Cola Zero - 6 bottles
- Sinas - 4 bottles
- Lemonade syrup - 3 bottles
- Iced tea - 4 bottles
- Beer - 5 crates
- Alcohol-free beer - 2 crates
- Rosé - 6 bottles
- Coffee - 4 packs
- Tea - 2 boxes
- Milk - 6 liters
- Oat milk - 3 liters
- Sugar - 1 kilogram
- Mints - 1 box
- Lemons - 10 pieces
- Ice pops - 60 pieces
- Watermelons - 3 pieces
- Grapes - 3 kilograms
- Marshmallows - 6 bags
- Barbecue charcoal - 4 bags
- Firelighters - 2 boxes
- Ice cubes - 12 bags
- Napkins - 300 pieces
- Paper towels - 6 rolls
- Aluminum foil - 3 rolls
- Cling film - 2 rolls
- Baking paper - 2 rolls
- Trash bags - 50 pieces
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- Sponges - 6 pieces
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Hand soap - 3 bottles
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls

Tips

Plan about 250–300 g of meat or other barbecue food per adult, plus 150–200 g per child. Add vegetarian options only after checking dietary requirements, so you do not buy food that nobody can eat.
Allow roughly 2–3 drinks per person for the first hour and 1 drink per hour after that. Chill the first batch in coolers and keep extra drinks in reserve rather than leaving everything in the sun.
Buy or bring one reusable plate, bowl, glass and set of cutlery per guest, plus at least 10% extra. For 30 guests, that means 33 of each item to cover breakage, dropped cutlery and second servings.
Prepare salads and cut vegetables on the day, but keep them chilled until serving. Bring separate cutting boards, a chef’s knife, mixing bowls and serving platters so raw meat equipment is not reused for ready-to-eat food.
Count waste bins, washing-up basins and dish brushes before shopping. Outdoor events often run short on cleanup equipment first, especially when reusable plates, bowls and glasses are used.

Frequently asked questions

How much food do I need for a neighborhood barbecue?: Plan 250–300 g of barbecue food per adult and 150–200 g per child. Add around 10% extra if guests will be eating over several hours or if there are few side dishes.
How many drinks should I buy for a neighborhood barbecue?: Allow 2–3 drinks per person for the first hour, then 1 drink per person per hour. For a four-hour barbecue with 30 adults, plan roughly 150–180 drinks, including water and non-alcoholic options.
How many plates and glasses do I need for 30 people?: Bring at least 33 reusable plates, bowls, glasses and sets of cutlery for 30 guests. The extra 10% covers dropped items, second servings and items still waiting to be washed.
When should I buy and prepare food for a barbecue?: Buy meat no earlier than 1–2 days before the barbecue and keep it refrigerated. Wash and cut vegetables, prepare salads and chill drinks on the day, ideally 2–4 hours before guests arrive.

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.