What you need for a Valentine’s barbecue

A Valentine’s barbecue needs more than meat and charcoal. This shopping list covers the servingware, cooking equipment, cooling, lighting and furniture needed for a comfortable outdoor meal. Check guest numbers before buying food, then allow extra time for dietary requirements and vegetarian products. Drinks need chilling space, and a gas barbecue needs both the barbecue and enough gas to finish cooking without interruption.

Organize this event for free with Lizzt

What to bring

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

Furniture

Party tentqty 2
Foldable tablesqty 6
Chairsqty 32
Buffet tableqty 2
Drinks table
High tablesqty 3

Tableware

Reusable platesqty 40
Reusable bowlsqty 40
Reusable glassesqty 50
Coffee cupsqty 35
Cutlery setsqty 40
Serving plattersqty 12

Equipment

Gas barbecueqty 2
Gas cylindersqty 3
Coolersqty 4
Ice cube traysqty 4
Bluetooth speaker
Extension cordsqty 3

Kitchen

Cutting boardsqty 4
Chef's knivesqty 4
Barbecue tongsqty 4
Barbecue brushesqty 2
Aluminum traysqty 8
Coffee maker

Decorations

Tableclothsqty 8
Napkin holdersqty 8
Valentine garlandsqty 6
Flower arrangementsqty 6

Lighting

String lightsqty 4
LED lanternsqty 6

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 4
Washing-up tubsqty 2

Catering

Groceries
- Beef burgers - 30 pieces
- Beef sausages - 30 pieces
- Chicken skewers - 30 pieces
- Vegetarian burgers - 12 pieces
- Vegetarian skewers - 12 pieces
- Hamburger buns - 36 pieces
- Baguettes - 8 pieces
- Herb butter - 4 tubs
- Baby potatoes - 5 kilograms
- Corn on the cob - 30 pieces
- Bell peppers - 12 pieces
- Zucchinis - 6 pieces
- Mushrooms - 2 kilogram
- Arugula - 6 bags
- Mixed lettuce - 6 heads
- Cucumbers - 6 pieces
- Cherry tomatoes - 2 kilograms
- Red onions - 2 kilograms
- Feta - 1 kilogram
- Potato salad - 3 kilogram
- Pasta salad - 3 kilograms
- Coleslaw - 3 kilograms
- Hamburger sauce - 3 bottles
- Ketchup - 3 bottles
- Mayonnaise - 3 jars
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Garlic sauce - 3 bottles
- Barbecue sauce - 3 bottles
- Olive oil - 2 bottles
- Salt - 1 pack
- Black pepper - 1 jar
- Paprika powder - 1 jar
- Italian herbs - 1 jar
- Garlic - 5 bulbs
- Lemons - 12 pieces
- Strawberries - 3 kilograms
- Grapes - 2 kilogram
- Brownies - 40 pieces
- Vanilla ice cream - 5 liters
- Whipped cream - 6 cans
- Chocolate sauce - 3 bottles
- Chocolate hearts - 3 bags
- Cola - 8 bottles
- Cola Zero - 6 bottles
- Sinas - 4 bottles
- Ginger ale - 4 bottles
- Sparkling water - 8 bottles
- Still water - 8 bottles
- Non-alcoholic beer - 24 bottles
- Pilsner - 48 bottles
- Rosé - 6 bottles
- White wine - 4 bottles
- Red wine - 4 bottles
- Prosecco - 4 bottles
- Coffee - 2 packs
- Tea - 2 boxes
- Milk - 4 liters
- Oat milk - 2 liter
- Sugar - 1 kilogram
- Mints - 1 box
- Barbecue firelighters - 2 boxes
- Paper towels - 6 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Trash bags - 3 rolls
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Sponges - 6 pieces
- Tea towels - 8 pieces
- Aluminum foil - 3 rolls
- Cling film - 2 rolls
- Baking paper - 2 rolls
- Hand soap - 3 bottles

Tips

Plan food portions from the confirmed attendance list, then add a small buffer for late additions. Keep meat and vegetarian products separate from the start, using different boards, utensils and serving platters where needed.
Allow two to three drinks per person for the first hour, then one drink per hour after that. Buy ice separately from drinks; ice cube trays alone will not provide enough cooling space for a full group.
Count reusable plates, bowls, glasses, cups and cutlery against the guest list before shopping. For a meal with dessert and coffee, each guest may need more than one plate and glass during the evening.
Check the gas barbecue and gas cylinders at least two days before the event. Pick them up early enough to test the setup, and keep a spare cylinder if cooking for a large group or serving food over several hours.
Do not leave practical extras until the day itself: tablecloths, napkin holders, serving platters, extension cords and lighting are easy to overlook. Put string lights and LED lanterns on the shopping checklist before the weather or daylight becomes a problem.

Frequently asked questions

How much food do I need for a Valentine’s barbecue?: Use the final attendance list as your starting point and plan a main portion for every guest, including separate vegetarian options where required. Add roughly 10% extra food if guests can arrive without confirming or if the barbecue will run for several hours.
How many drinks should I buy for a barbecue?: Allow two to three drinks per person for the first hour, followed by one drink per person per hour. Add water and non-alcoholic options for the whole event, and chill drinks at least 4 hours before guests arrive.
How much gas do I need for a gas barbecue?: The exact amount depends on the barbecue and cooking time, so check the manufacturer’s consumption rate before buying. Confirm the cylinder is full at least 2 days beforehand and keep a spare cylinder for a long meal or larger group.
What do people forget for an outdoor Valentine’s barbecue?: Commonly missed items include ice, serving platters, separate utensils for vegetarian food, extension cords and outdoor lighting. Check these at least 24 hours before the event, when there is still time to buy or borrow replacements.

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.