What you need for a spring barbecue

A spring barbecue needs more than meat, buns and charcoal. This shopping list covers the food, drinks, servingware, cooking tools and outdoor equipment needed to feed your guests and keep the setup moving. Plan portions after registrations close and dietary requirements are confirmed. Check the forecast before buying outdoor extras, because tents, lighting and coolers can be difficult to arrange at short notice.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Party tentsqty 2
Foldable tablesqty 6
Chairsqty 40
Beer tablesqty 3
Buffet tablesqty 2
Tablecloth clipsqty 24

Tableware

Reusable platesqty 45
Reusable bowlsqty 45
Cutlery setsqty 45
Drinking glassesqty 50
Coffee cupsqty 30
Serving plattersqty 8
Serving spoonsqty 8

Equipment

Barbecueqty 2
Coolersqty 4
Thermos flasksqty 3
Extension cordsqty 2
Power stripsqty 2

Kitchen

Grill tongsqty 4
Cutting boardsqty 4
Chef's knivesqty 4
Mixing bowlsqty 6
Aluminum traysqty 20
Food storage containersqty 12
Kitchen scalesqty 2

Decorations

Table runnersqty 8
Buntingqty 4
Flower arrangementsqty 6
Menusqty 6

Lighting

String lightsqty 4
LED lanternsqty 6

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 4
Hand soap dispensersqty 2
Microfiber clothsqty 8
Washing-up tubsqty 2

Catering

Groceries
- Hamburgers - 45 pieces
- Sausages - 40 pieces
- Chicken skewers - 40 pieces
- Vegetarian burgers - 12 pieces
- Vegetarian skewers - 12 pieces
- Hamburger buns - 50 pieces
- Hot dog buns - 45 pieces
- Baguettes - 8 pieces
- Herb butter - 6 tubs
- New potatoes - 6 kilograms
- Corn cobs - 40 pieces
- Zucchini - 8 pieces
- Bell peppers - 12 pieces
- Mushrooms - 2 kilogram
- Arugula - 6 bags
- Iceberg lettuce - 4 heads
- Cucumbers - 8 pieces
- Cherry tomatoes - 3 kilograms
- Red onions - 2 kilograms
- Carrots - 2 kilogram
- Potato salad - 4 kilogram
- Pasta salad - 4 kilograms
- Raw vegetable salad - 3 kilograms
- Hummus - 6 tubs
- Herb cream cheese - 4 tubs
- Ketchup - 3 bottles
- Mayonnaise - 3 jars
- Mustard - 2 bottles
- Garlic sauce - 3 bottles
- Barbecue sauce - 3 bottles
- Chili sauce - 2 bottles
- Olive oil - 2 bottles
- Sunflower oil - 1 bottle
- Salt - 1 tin
- Black pepper - 1 canister
- Paprika powder - 1 can
- Garlic powder - 1 canister
- Barbecue seasoning - 2 tins
- Lemons - 12 pieces
- Water - 40 bottles
- Sparkling water - 24 bottles
- Cola - 12 bottles
- Cola Zero - 8 bottles
- Orange soda - 8 bottles
- Iced tea - 8 bottles
- Apple juice - 6 packs
- Orange juice - 6 cartons
- Beer - 5 crates
- Alcohol-free beer - 2 crates
- White wine - 8 bottles
- Rosé - 8 bottles
- Red wine - 4 bottles
- Coffee - 2 packs
- Tea - 2 boxes
- Milk - 6 liters
- Oat milk - 3 liters
- Sugar - 1 kilogram
- Paprika chips - 4 bags
- Plain chips - 4 bags
- Tortilla chips - 4 bags
- Salsa - 4 jars
- Peanuts - 2 kilograms
- Olives - 4 jars
- Watermelons - 3 pieces
- Grapes - 3 kilograms
- Strawberries - 3 kilograms
- Apples - 30 pieces
- Brownies - 40 pieces
- Marshmallows - 3 bags
- Ice cubes - 15 kilograms
- Charcoal - 20 kilograms
- Firelighters - 2 boxes
- Disposable barbecue gloves - 2 boxes
- Napkins - 200 pieces
- Paper towels - 6 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Trash bags - 50 pieces
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Hand sanitizer - 3 bottles
- Aluminum foil - 3 rolls
- Cling film - 2 rolls
- Baking paper - 2 rolls

Tips

Plan roughly 250–350 g of food per adult, including meat, vegetables and side dishes. Add vegetarian or plant-based portions separately rather than assuming everyone will share the same main dish.
Allow two to three drinks per person for the first hour, then one drink per hour. Chill drinks in coolers before guests arrive and keep a separate supply of water available.
Buy fresh meat, vegetables, salads and bread no earlier than one day before the barbecue. Marinated items should stay refrigerated until they go onto the grill.
Count reusable plates, bowls, glasses and cutlery against the final guest list, then add at least 10% extra. This prevents shortages when items are dropped or used for seconds.
If the barbecue runs into the evening, arrange string lights, extension cords and power strips before the day itself. For wet or windy weather, confirm party tents and secure them before setting tables and food outside.

Frequently asked questions

How much food do I need for a spring barbecue?: Plan 250–350 g of total food per adult, counting meat, grilled vegetables, bread and salads. For children, allow about 150–250 g, depending on their age and the number of side dishes.
How many drinks should I buy for a barbecue?: Allow two to three drinks per person for the first hour and one more per person for each additional hour. Include water and non-alcoholic options, especially if guests will be outside in warm weather.
When should I buy barbecue meat and fresh vegetables?: Buy fresh meat, vegetables, salads and bread the day before the event at the earliest. Keep meat and prepared salads refrigerated, and marinate meat and vegetables several hours before cooking.
How many plates and glasses do I need for a barbecue?: Provide one plate, bowl, glass and cutlery set per guest, plus at least 10% extra. For 30 guests, that means at least 33 of each reusable item so replacements are available.

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