What to Buy for an Outdoor Barbecue

An outdoor barbecue needs more than meat and charcoal-free equipment. Plan food and drinks around the final guest count, then add the items that are easy to overlook: gas, regulators, serving platters, coolers, lighting and waste bins. Keep meat refrigerated until cooking, prepare salads separately and set up a covered buffet if the weather changes. This shopping guide helps you check the practical supplies before guests arrive.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Party tentsqty 2
Tablesqty 6
Chairsqty 55
Buffet tablesqty 3
Coolersqty 4

Equipment

Gas barbecuesqty 3
Gas cylindersqty 4
Gas pressure regulatorsqty 3
Gas lightersqty 3
Extension cordsqty 3
Power stripsqty 3

Lighting

String lightsqty 4
Outdoor lightsqty 4

Decorations

Tableclothsqty 6
Buntingqty 4
Balloonsqty 50

Tableware

Dinner platesqty 60
Dessert platesqty 60
Glassesqty 70
Coffee cupsqty 30
Cutlery setsqty 70

Kitchen

Barbecue tongsqty 6
Serving plattersqty 12
Cutting boardsqty 4
Kitchen knivesqty 4
Storage binsqty 10

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 4
Waste sorting binsqty 3

Groceries

Groceries
- Beef burgers - 35 pieces
- Beef sausage rolls - 4 kilos
- Chicken thigh fillet - 4 kilograms
- Marinated pork belly steaks - 3 kilograms
- Vegetarian burgers - 12 pieces
- Vegetarian skewers - 12 pieces
- Hamburger buns - 45 pieces
- White baguettes - 10 pieces
- Herb butter - 6 tubs
- Arugula - 500 grams
- Tomatoes - 3 kilograms
- Cucumbers - 6 pieces
- Bell peppers - 12 pieces
- Red onions - 2 kilograms
- Mushrooms - 2 kilogram
- Corn on the cob - 30 pieces
- Potatoes - 6 kilograms
- Mixed salad - 3 kilograms
- Pasta salad - 4 kilograms
- Herbs for pasta salad - 3 bags
- Feta cheese - 1 kilogram
- Olives - 4 jars
- Mayonnaise - 2 bottles
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Garlic sauce - 2 bottles
- Barbecue sauce - 2 bottles
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Salt - 1 pack
- Black pepper - 1 jar
- Paprika powder - 1 jar
- Olive oil - 2 bottles
- Cola - 12 bottles
- Cola Zero - 8 bottles
- Sinas - 6 bottles
- Lemon-lime soda - 6 bottles
- Spa Blauw - 12 bottles
- Spa Rood - 6 bottles
- Beer - 6 crates
- Non-alcoholic lager - 2 crates
- White wine - 8 bottles
- Rosé - 6 bottles
- Coffee - 2 packs
- Tea - 2 boxes
- Milk - 4 liters
- Sugar - 1 kilogram
- Lemons - 10 pieces
- Ice cubes - 15 kilograms
- Ice pops - 60 pieces
- Watermelons - 3 pieces
- Grapes - 2 kilogram
- Paprika chips - 6 bags
- Plain chips - 6 bags
- Salted peanuts - 4 bags
- Napkins - 200 pieces
- Aluminum foil - 4 rolls
- Cling film - 2 rolls
- Baking paper - 2 rolls
- Disposable gloves - 2 boxes
- Trash bags - 50 pieces
- Paper towels - 8 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- Sponges - 6 pieces
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Disinfectant wipes - 4 packs

Tips

Plan around the final number of guests: for a meal, allow about 250–300 g of meat per adult, plus bread, salads and toppings. Buy extra portions only after accounting for children, vegetarian guests and dietary requirements.
Allow roughly 2–3 drinks per person for the first hour, then 1 drink per person per hour. Chill drinks in coolers before guests arrive and keep a separate cooler for raw meat so it stays refrigerated.
Check the gas setup at least 3 days before the barbecue. Match each gas barbecue with a filled cylinder, pressure regulator and gas lighter; do not wait until the event day to discover that a connector is missing.
Buy or collect enough serving equipment for the whole menu: plan at least 1 dinner plate, 1 dessert plate, 1 glass and 1 complete cutlery set per guest, plus 10–15% extra for replacements.
Set up waste bins and waste-sorting bins before food is served, and place them near the buffet. If the barbecue runs into the evening, arrange string or outdoor lights and extension cords before sunset, keeping cables away from walkways and wet ground.

Frequently asked questions

How much food do I need for an outdoor barbecue?: For a main meal, allow about 250–300 g of meat per adult, then add bread, salads and toppings. Include vegetarian alternatives separately and increase the total for long events or guests who will not have eaten beforehand.
How many drinks should I buy for a barbecue?: Plan for 2–3 drinks per person during the first hour, followed by about 1 drink per person per hour. Add water and non-alcoholic options, and chill the drinks at least 4 hours in advance if possible.
When should I check the gas for a barbecue?: Check the cylinders, regulators and connections at least 3 days before the event. Keep a spare filled cylinder available if the barbecue will cook for more than 3 hours or for a large group.
How many plates and glasses do I need for an outdoor barbecue?: Provide one dinner plate, dessert plate, glass and cutlery set per guest, plus 10–15% extra. For 20 guests, that means at least 22 of each item where practical, especially glasses and cutlery.

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