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Is this enough food for a barbecue?

673 replies

Theresip · 11/08/2026 12:51

I’m having a barbecue for 24 people on Saturday. I haven’t hosted for this many before so can I check with those if you who are more experienced whether this is the right amount of food?

On the barbecue:

24 burgers
24 hot dogs

Prepared in advance and served cold:

50 buns
A large gammon joint
15 barbecue chicken drumsticks
15 plain drumsticks
A potato salad with lemon and garlic
Homemade coleslaw
A Caesar salad
Another type of vegan salad

Then for people arriving I’ll have a cheeseboard, crisps, dips, and sweets out.

Is it enough? Should I add a pasta salad?

OP posts:
Jiski · 11/08/2026 15:08

It’s enough, unless you have lots of 12-30 year old males coming. They would expect warm food though. I suggest you have a plan to warm the meat.

mulberrymilk · 11/08/2026 15:10

Boil the hot dogs for around 6 minutes in boiling water, as is tradtional, rather than wasting space cooking them on the bbq. You need to supply more than one burger per person.

goingtotown · 11/08/2026 15:12

You need proper sausages not just frankfurters.

BadBadCat · 11/08/2026 15:14

I did a bbq for 12 at the weekend. 2 were veggie. They ate 8 beef burgers, 10 small chicken grills, 6 halloumi burgers, 8 prawn skewers, 4 veggie sticks, 6 veggie sausages, 9 corn cobs, a rice salad, a pasta salad, cucumber and lettuce in the burgers, coleslaw, 16 rolls, a birthday cake and 6 cupcakes plus crisps and nuts with drinks prior to bbq food

Doone22 · 11/08/2026 15:16

All sounds ok to me. I have plenty of bbqs and never find it all goes.
I do 2 burgers per person or 1 of each if doing sausages as well, a slow roast joint, pulled pork, coleslaw, potato salad, green salad, tomato salad, buns, and plenty of rum punch.
I stick with simple desserts like a pile of brownies and a big bowl of cherries.

Terfarina · 11/08/2026 15:18

That is loads of meat and I agree that it should balance out. If you can get burgers and sausages that you can freeze if not needed it is worth it for peace of mind.

I wouldn't do caesar salad - it would go minging in the heat. How about a green salad in vinaigrette? Sharpness to cut through the heavy food. And the vegan can eat it.

Have you checked the vegan likes fake meat products? I am vege and have nightmares recalling being served fake lamb & chicken.

wishingonastar101 · 11/08/2026 15:18

Who eats gammon?

Also sausages and burgers and generally a bit gross. I avoid at bbqs.

chicken skewers, bavette steak, chimmichuri, corn on the cob, big salad much fresher and nicer.

GeorgeMichaelsCat · 11/08/2026 15:18

I wouldn't eat the drumsticks or the gammon. I would go for burgers and sausages.

WonderWeeksArentReal · 11/08/2026 15:18

Theresip · 11/08/2026 14:59

But similarly some people won’t have a burger or a hot dog, or any chicken or gammon? I thought it would all balance out. I will get a few more burgers and hot dogs but I don’t think they’ll be eaten.

Rather than more burgers and sausages I would scrap the gammon and cold drumsticks and get a third meat item to barbecue on the day, like lamb koftas or chicken skewers.

Monty36 · 11/08/2026 15:18

I would though be cautious about leaving it all out in the sun for too long. Easy to do. Keep an eye on that.
Perhaps some more salad things and fish would be nice. Corn on the cob lovely. Watermelon and feta etc.

purplecorkheart · 11/08/2026 15:22

Might be worth asking if some of your guests have portable barbecues and if they do could they bring them. There is a lot to cook. Might be handy to have more cooking space.

Theresip · 11/08/2026 15:22

Terfarina · 11/08/2026 15:18

That is loads of meat and I agree that it should balance out. If you can get burgers and sausages that you can freeze if not needed it is worth it for peace of mind.

I wouldn't do caesar salad - it would go minging in the heat. How about a green salad in vinaigrette? Sharpness to cut through the heavy food. And the vegan can eat it.

Have you checked the vegan likes fake meat products? I am vege and have nightmares recalling being served fake lamb & chicken.

She definitely does. She’s one of my closest friends so I feel confident catering for her.

OP posts:
Theresip · 11/08/2026 15:24

wishingonastar101 · 11/08/2026 15:18

Who eats gammon?

Also sausages and burgers and generally a bit gross. I avoid at bbqs.

chicken skewers, bavette steak, chimmichuri, corn on the cob, big salad much fresher and nicer.

Who eats gammon? Is that a serious question?

OP posts:
EnglishRose26 · 11/08/2026 15:28

Double the sausages and add another 15 burgers - people tend to eat at least two sausages each. Also I know many that would keep topping up their plates. I would be doing much more of everything and would also drop the gammon, unless it is a family tradition. Pesto pasta salad and salad potatoes. You could ask your guests to bring items - such as different desserts or cold meats and cheese etc. You need to be mindful of the heat and everything wilting.

Packofsix · 11/08/2026 15:29

Why have you even asked the question? Majority of people have told you they personally don’t think it is enough, and you have passive aggressively shut them down. Just serve what you want and don’t ask!!!! Simple!

everynamewastaken · 11/08/2026 15:30

I'm probably a bit skewed in my view as a vegan but when we host parties and bbq's and I buy meat / fish options the home made sides actually go quicker! People seem to go towards the food that's a bit more unusual - sweetcorn ribs done on the BBQ with lots of garlic, salt and paprika and butter is a huge hit! I agree with another poster that people eat healthier these days - especially if the option is there and easy to grab. But it might be that my family and friends are all quite health conscious and there are a lot of veggie leaning people

Happyjoe · 11/08/2026 15:30

Theresip · 11/08/2026 13:10

It’s not one burger per person, it’s one burger, hot dog, chicken drumstick and gammon slice, if everyone has one piece of meat each.

You only need one person to eat an extra sausage or burger and it's gone out the window. I'd get more, many will eat quite a lot at a BBQ I find. I would get some more/spare.

EnglishRose26 · 11/08/2026 15:30

Packofsix · 11/08/2026 15:29

Why have you even asked the question? Majority of people have told you they personally don’t think it is enough, and you have passive aggressively shut them down. Just serve what you want and don’t ask!!!! Simple!

Running out will be very embarrassing. We went to one once where the food and worse still the wine ran out, mortifying, we had to stop off for a takeaway on the way home and yes I did think it was very bad planning.

Melsy88 · 11/08/2026 15:30

If you don't eat burgers, why not add some different things that you do eat. Then any leftover is less of an issue.
Salmon, prawns, chicken skewers, halloumi skewers, lamb kofta etc

EmmaM84 · 11/08/2026 15:31

Its tricky and the variation of answers here just muddies it further lol. Id say a burger per person is fine but double the sausages, they get eaten on second winds cold.
Pasta salad is cheap to make and filling should meat become scarce, if vegan its another option for your vegan guest. I tend to have a few pizzas in the freezer when I host as later on they can save you if food does become scarce. Also, crisps 👍

Happyjoe · 11/08/2026 15:31

Theresip · 11/08/2026 15:24

Who eats gammon? Is that a serious question?

Never seen gammon at a BBQ!

TheChosenTwo · 11/08/2026 15:31

You know your guests better than us, you know what they’ll eat.
I don’t eat burgers sausages or chicken drumsticks so I’d have a slice of gammon and some salads and smile and thank you (and then go home and have some dinner!).

Packofsix · 11/08/2026 15:32

EnglishRose26 · 11/08/2026 15:30

Running out will be very embarrassing. We went to one once where the food and worse still the wine ran out, mortifying, we had to stop off for a takeaway on the way home and yes I did think it was very bad planning.

So buy more food

EnglishRose26 · 11/08/2026 15:33

Grilled vegetable kebabs are delicious and will be good for guests that prefer healthy food, along with some fresh salad. Quinoa and Couscous are also so easy to prepare in advance

EnglishRose26 · 11/08/2026 15:33

I also find men especially tend to eats tons and tons of BBQ food

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