I have seriously overstretched with a barbecue and I am panicking.

[Theresip]

I decided to have a barbecue next weekend because I’ve got my garden looking the way I want it and I do enjoy hosting. I’ve been inviting people for the last couple of weeks or so. I thought I’d invited around 10 people but I haven’t. I’ve invited almost 20. I’ve only just counted them up and now I am seriously panicking.

I’m not a particularly good cook, never mind on a barbecue. How on earth can I do 20 burgers and sausages and time it so people aren’t sitting starving? It’s a charcoal barbecue so putting more charcoal on after one batch would mean some people waiting another 40 minutes whilst the coals cook and I cook again?? What can I do?

And also, my garden isn’t tiny, but it’s not particularly big. I have a garden sofa and stools that could fit around six people near the kitchen door, and then on the upper decking I’ve got a high dining table that would seat another six. I do have additional small stools but they’re too little for the high table and it would be very squashed round the other table because it’s right in front of the kitchen where everyone will be getting their drinks.

Any advice gratefully received. I have never hosted for this number.

What are some of these replies!

OP has said she doesn’t want anyone else doing the BBQ.
She’s not some weak little woman that needs a man to do it for her.

She’s also said her DP isn’t invited because not every couple are joined at the hip.

OP I’ve never hosted a BBQ but I have a friend who usually does one and there is a list of food and we all bring an item from it.

I really like the idea of pre-cooking the meat and keeping it in the fridge and then just reheating it on the bbq.

We have a big table with lots of snacks on to eat whilst the meat is cooking. This includes sliced veggies, chips and dip, pasta salad, potato salad, coleslaw etc
The host cooks the meat and then puts it on a plate and people help themselves to bread rolls etc.
We drink too and so we’re usually busy chatting, drinking and snacking whilst the meat is being cooked so we’re not ravenous.

I do think you’ve taken on a lot and I hope people bring things as this isn’t cheap but if they’re you’re friends then they’ll just be grateful that you’ve gone to so much trouble and invited them.

Have you got enough seating?

Oh I don't know but for some reason, I'm dying to know the food and quantities you're doing 😁

Great idea!

Hi, Op, 20+ people at a BBQ is a standard BBQ in our house. I am a man, but it's been quite an amusing read, seeing as though I have competed in BBQ comps against my DW. She is a queen of the grill, so you can do this.

Firstly, some non-food tips
Buy Weber's complete BBQ book before Saturday; it's the beginner's bible.

Buy a chimney starter; this will allow for perfect coals, and you can start it while your BBQ is still going so you have an instant supply of hot coals.

Buy Weber briquettes if you can get hold of them; expensive but burn hot for ages. If not, buy high-quality lump wood charcoal. No instant light is burns quicker,

As mentioned, don't cover all your grill with coal; keep a cool zone at one side.

Does your BBQ have a lid?
Do you have an air fryer?
Do you have a deep fat fryer?

I would keep it simple, OP.

Use paper plates.

Only have food you can eat with fingers or a fork.

Simple bbq food:
Pulled pork would be great if you can make it in the slow cooker/oven
Burgers (thin ones, so they cook through)
Sausages or chipolatas
Veggie kebabs
Green salad
Potato salad
Coleslaw (buy it!)
Sliced large tomatoes for the burgers
Rolls/long buns (pre-sliced)
Sauces (ketchup, mayo, bbq, peri peri)
Tortilla chips
Hummus
Crisps
Olives
Dessert: chocolate brownies, sliced watermelon

Day before:
prep kebabs
set out all serving dishes you will use
gather all cutlery/tools/plates/glasses/napkins etc
cook new potatoes for salad

On the day:
prep salads
pre-cook sausages/chipolatas (few mins in the microwave)
Cook burgers/saus/chipolatas on bbq
Slice watermelon

Have black plastic sacks for easy clear up.

Enlist a friend or two to help on the day!

Enjoy your day 🙂

I think a fair few people, me included, are wondering why you want to cook all that food yourself when you say you are not a good cook and are worried about not cooking it properly.

And we suggested that you could ask someone a bit more experienced to do it while you do everything else.

And frankly, having hosted these things myself, you will almost certainly end up with a guest cooking because you literally cannot be in 2 places at once. You need to get your pre prepped stuff out, keep drinks flowing, HOST! This is too much for one person so you will end up saying "Can you just keep an eye on the bbq while I get the bread?" and so on. BBQ's are a lot more free and easy and no one minds pitching in (or at least they shouldnt!).

I have to say I think your expectations are a bit unrealistic!

Edit - comment I quoted has been deleted. Can’t delete :)

If you've invited friends then own up and some will definitely step into cook. Most people are fine standing up.

When I get invited to someone's home for a meal, I never accept because I'm excited about the food -I accept because I love my friends. Please don't worry; you sound discerning and kind and will probably have attracted similar people into your life. They'll be pleased with whatever is on offer, I'm sure.

Why not admit you got a bit carried away with the invites, and split it into two - one on another weekend? If you like hosting, then that's twice the fun.

The "let a man do it" is because men seem magnetically attracted to BBQ's and it leaves OP free to do other stuff. Its not because we think they are better at it, I am a woman and I am official "best bbq-er" in our family!

Lidl does good potato salads in a big container that are great for BBQs. As for the meat, I don't think you should have trouble doing it on one charcoal BBQ, as long as it's a proper one and not a tiny one, and you keep it simple, i.e. not too many different kinds of things (so you don't have to juggle cooking times and temperatures). Just burgers and sausages sounds sensible, where I'd probably do all of one first, and then all of the other. If you have a lot of space on the BBQ, you could also do corn on the cob (buy with leaves on, soak for 20 min in water, and then put on the BBQ leaves and all), or jacket potatoes (in foil). If you don't have potato salad, you could also do the jacket potatoes in the oven to save space. The mixed kebabs suggested by others would also be good, because they cook quite quickly and don't take up more space than a sausage, but you'd need to do more of them.

Exactly this!!

The food is just part of it.

BBQs are a great way to catch up with friends in a relaxed environment.

They will all just be so grateful at your kindness for inviting them and hosting it.

Am I the only one who doesn’t care if the food at a gathering like this has actually been near a barbecue?

Do you have an airfryer, OP? If so, airfryer a huge batch of cocktail sausages (keep warm either in your slow cooker or a low oven). Have then ready when people arrive, alongside bread rolls, condiments, and lots of (bought!) salads. Cold beers and wine and tell people to help themselves.

Then add your burgers, hotdogs, and pizzas to the oven in batches, bringing out when ready.

If you want to be true to BBQ, fire a few burgers and sausages on once cooked, to char.

Honestly, OP, once people are fed, have drinks, and are able to chat, nobody is going to expect you to stand over a barbecue for hours. They’ve accepted your invite because they want to see you.

A simple cheddar/brie/stilton cheese board and 2/3 baguettes chopped up with a good block of butter will fill people up if the meat takes a bit longer. It will also help lingerers to soak up the alcohol.

Op when is it ,will you update us after !
I'm taking these tips down for my own bbq

We had a garden bbq / housewarming party at the beginning of July and it was supposed to be for 20 people. Ended up being 55 including kids 😂 I was panicking but ended up being fine. I got everything from Costco salads desserts picky bits etc my husband cooked the bbq food. We only did burgers and sausages. Had loads of help from my friends without asking so I’m sure you’ll be fine

God I'd welcome all help with open arms, why be so controlling you'll end up totally stressed out.

Love the 'where's your husband' just unbelievable!

Can I come? It sounds delightful. No alpha males, no children, alcohol and burgers! I hope it goes well.

Really not a big deal. Do you have a Weber style bbq or are you using something without a lid? With a charcoal chimney, you only need 10-12 mins to get the coals going. You don’t want them all aflame before you put them on the bbq. But also, no expects a sit down meal at a bbq. Cook as you go, people will most likely come and go and at least a couple won’t turn up. We used to host 30+ regularly. All this nonsense about precooking is ridiculous. Salads, bread, snacks etc out and you just keep it turning. Start the charcoal chimney going before the coals on the bbq are spent and then just dump it in.

It’s gone 10pm and I’m in bed but I want some BBQ food right now after reading all these replies… 😬

Yes - use the oven for some things. You can marinade them and put nice sauces on them in the oven. No-one will care!

Don’t panic- a bbq is a much more relaxed vibe than a sit down meal where everyone expects to be served at the same time. Have rice/potato salads out, a load of crisps and dips etc so no one is sat starving. If you can fit 20 sausages on, do them first so everyone gets a hot dog, then do the burgers in a couple of sessions. No one will be sat hungrily wondering where their food is, everyone will expect a bbq to be a slower pace and they can nibble on the sides whilst they wait. Have a lovely time ☺️

Crisps, dip, cheese and crackers etc for snacking.

Remember to eat if you’re drinking- I once hosted (many years ago) and was so caught up in feeding everyone, I forgot to actually eat… but people kept bringing me drinks. By the time the food was finished, I was absolutely hammered.

I did a large-ish BBQ recently with various dietary requirements and children and had a bit of a stress about quantities so ran my menu plan through copilot to check and found it really helpful (particularly to make sure I had the right amount of everything).

I also had a variety of ice lollies in the freezer for super easy pudding. Went down very well on a hot day.