What to Bring to a BBQ – The Ultimate Guide

Planning to host or attend a BBQ? Make sure you come fully prepared with all the essentials by following this ultimate checklist of what to bring. From food and drink staples, to serving and grilling tools, we’ve got you fully covered on everything you need for a fantastic BBQ!

Food Essentials To Bring

Having delicious food is key to any successful BBQ. Here are some must-have food items to bring:

Meats

The star of any BBQ spread is the meat! Make sure to pack:

• Hamburgers – Classic BBQ option that’s easy to cook and satisfy meat lovers. Bring patties or make your own.
• Hot dogs – Another BBQ staple. Get regular or specialty gourmet options.
• Chicken – Extremely versatile meat for grilling. Breasts, thighs, wings or kebabs. Marinate for extra flavor.
• Ribs – Fall-off-the-bone tender and juicy ribs are a highlight. Baby back, spare or beef ribs are all good.
• Steaks – For a premium BBQ, bring juicy steaks like ribeye, NY strip, filet mignon or T-bone.
• Sausages – Brats, kielbasa, Italian sausage add tasty variety. Pre-cook or grill.
• Ground beef – Use for burger patties or seasoning with taco kits for tacos.
• Other proteins – Mix it up with shrimp, fish like salmon or halibut, lamb chops or roasts.

Produce

Fresh vegetables, fruits and greens round out the meal.

• Lettuce – For salads, burgers, wraps. Romaine, iceberg, spring mix, spinach.
• Tomatoes – Sliced tomatoes for sandwiches/burgers. Cherry tomatoes, grape tomatoes as sides.
• Onions – Yellow, white, red onions to top burgers or make side dishes.
• Avocados – For guacamole or toppings. Ripen at home first.
• Corn on the cob – Classic BBQ side, grill in husks for extra flavor.
• Peppers – Bell peppers, banana peppers, jalapeños for nachos, kebabs, etc.
• Pineapple – For fruit skewers, salads, salsa, pineapple upside down cake.
• Other fruits/veggies – Potatoes, cauliflower, broccoli, berries, peaches, plums.

Buns & Bread

You’ll need something to serve all those juicy meats and sausages on!

• Burger buns – Brioche, potato, sesame seed buns. Have regular and slider sizes.
• Hot dog buns – Soft white buns or pretzel style. Get mini buns too.
• Bread rolls – For making sandwiches with deli meats. Go for whole grain.
• Tortillas – Essential for tacos, quesadillas, wraps. Corn or flour varieties.
• Pita bread – Use for gyro sandwiches or pita chips. Regular or whole wheat.

Condiments & Toppings

Add flavor with sauces, dips and toppings:

• Ketchup & mustard – Classic burger and hot dog toppings. Get yellow, dijon, honey mustard.
• Mayo – For spreading on sandwiches. Get regular and flavored aioli.
• BBQ sauce – Sweet, tangy, smoky flavors for meats, dipping.
• Hot sauce – Add heat and kick with buffalo, sriracha, chipotle sauce.
• Relish – Dill, sweet relish for hot dogs, burgers, potato/pasta salads.
• Pickles – Dill pickles, bread & butter chips as crunchy toppings.
• Cheese – Cheddar, swiss, pepper jack, provolone for burgers, appetizers.
• Guacamole/salsa – For tacos, nachos, dips. Make fresh or get pre-made.

Side Dishes

Round out your spread with delicious sides:

• Potato salad – Classic BBQ side. Make yourself or grab ready-made.
• Pasta salad – Macaroni, Greek, antipasto salads pair well.
• Coleslaw – Crunchy cabbage pairs great with BBQ. Get bagged kits for easy prep.
• Baked beans – Sweet, saucy beans are a staple. Get cans or make from scratch.
• Corn bread – Buttery bread with a hint of sweetness. Make muffins or full loaf.
• Mac and cheese – Ooey, cheesy comfort food. Make stovetop or baked variations.
• Fruit salad – Refreshing lighter option with melon, berries, citrus.
• Green salad – Lettuce, spinach with fixings like tomatoes, onions, cheese.
• Pasta/potato/tuna salad – Choose your favorite deli-style salad.
• Chips & dip – Crispy potato chips, tortilla chips go great with salsas, guac, cheese dips.

Desserts

Satisfy sweet cravings with:

• Cookies – Chocolate chip, peanut butter, oatmeal raisin. Homemade or store-bought.
• Brownies – Rich chocolatey squares are easy to transport. Add nuts or frosting.
• Fruit pies/tarts – Apple, peach, berry pies and tarts. Grab mini versions.
• Cakes/cupcakes – Sheet cakes, cupcakes are portable and come in many flavors.
• S’mores – Toast marshmallows over the grill for a fun twist.
• Popsicles – Cool, refreshing treat for a hot day. Have variety of fruit flavors.

Drinks To Remember

Stay refreshed and hydrated with a variety of beverage options:

Non-Alcoholic Drinks

• Water – Essential for hydration. Have bottles chilled in coolers. Add slices of lemon/lime.
• Sodas – Have variety of regular and diet options like Coke, Sprite, Root Beer.
• Iced tea – Brew hot tea, chill overnight. Get different flavors like peach, raspberry.
• Lemonade – Classic BBQ drink. Make from concentrate or fresh squeezed lemons.
• Fruit juice – Have orange, apple, cranberry blends on hand.
• Smoothies – Make berry, peach, tropical fruit smoothies.
• Coffee/tea – Offer hot coffee, black tea if BBQ is in the morning.

Alcoholic Beverages

For adults, consider:

• Beer – Get assortment of lagers, IPAs, wheat beers. Have light and non-alcoholic too.
• Wine – Offer white, red, rose options. Bring corkscrew and wine glasses.
• Champagne/sparkling wine – For mimosas, bellinis, or on its own.
• Cocktails/mixers – Whiskey, vodka, rum, margarita mix for mixed drinks.
• Coolers – Malt beverages like hard lemonade, seltzer for low-alcohol options.

Don’t forget extras like cocktail garnishes, drink stirrers, bottle openers, and ice/coolers to keep everything chilled!

Grilling Tools & Serving Essentials

Having the right grilling tools and serving supplies will make cooking and serving much easier:

Grilling Tools

• Tongs – Essential for flipping meats and handling food on the grill.
• Spatulas – Use for turning more delicate items like fish fillets and veggies.
• Grill brush – Important for cleaning grill grates pre and post grilling.
• Basting brush – For brushing sauces and oils over meats while grilling.
• Skewers – Have both metal and wood skewers for making kebabs.
• Grill grate cleaner – Removes stuck-on grime and grease from grates.
• Cooling racks – Lets you transfer grilled items off direct heat to rest.
• Aluminum pans – Use disposable foil pans for grilling smaller items like shrimp, veggies.
• Thermometers – Instant read thermometers to check doneness of meats.
• Grill gloves – Protect hands from heat when handling grill.

Serving Supplies

Make serving BBQ fare easy with:

• Plates – Stock up on sturdy disposable plates. Have dinner plates and smaller appetizer sizes.
• Cutlery – Pack disposable forks, knives, spoons for easy eating.
• Napkins – Essential for messy BBQ foods. Get paper napkins or cloth options.
• Cups – Have disposable plastic cups or reusable plasticware. Include kid size cups.
• Serving utensils – Large spoons, tongs for serving sides. Have serving bowls.
• Condiment containers – Small bowls for ketchup, mustard, mayo, sauces.
• Tablecloth – Covers table or buffet area for a polished look.
• Trash bags – Big bags for collecting trash/recycling throughout event.

Don’t forget extras like table decor, disposable gloves, and disinfecting wipes or spray!

Top Tips for BBQ Success

Follow these tips to ensure your BBQ goes off without a hitch:

• Prep as much as possible in advance – chop ingredients, make side dishes etc. This minimizes work during the event.
• Have a menu plan with approximate grill and serving times. Coordinate so food doesn’t get cold.
• Set up buffet style with labels so guests can easily find what they need.
• Keep perishables chilled in coolers until ready to grill or serve. Use ice packs to prevent spoilage.
• Grill meats just before serving to ensure freshness. Let rest 5 minutes before slicing.
• Have a wet rag on hand while grilling to instantly extinguish any flare-ups on the grill.
• Cook vegetables before or separate from meats to avoid cross-contamination. Have designated tongs/plates.
• Provide a trash bag for cleaning up immediately after eating. Designate volunteers to help with cleanup.
• Consider having indoor backup space in case of rain. Move essentials indoors and use oven to keep foods warm.

Following this guide ensures you have all your BBQ bases covered – from supplies and tools to food and drinks! With the right preparation and these tips, you’re guaranteed success at your next fantastic BBQ. Let the grilling begin!