How Much BBQ for 10 Adults? - Outdoor Cabinets

Planning a barbecue for 10 adults can seem like a daunting task, especially when it comes to figuring out how much food to buy and prepare. With some advance planning and preparation, hosting a barbecue for this many guests doesn’t have to be stressful or result in not having enough food. Here is a comprehensive guide on how to determine how much barbecue food, drinks, and supplies you need for 10 adults.

Estimating Food Needs

When estimating food quantities for a barbecue for 10 adults, consider the following factors:

Appetites – Appetites can vary greatly among adults. Plan for those with hearty appetites by providing plenty of food.
Menu – The menu you choose will determine how much meat, sides, appetizers, etc. are required. Plan a diverse, filling menu.
Duration of the Event – A 2-hour event requires less food than one lasting 6 hours or more.
Weather – Hot weather tends to suppress appetite slightly compared to cooler conditions.
Food Preferences & Allergies – Having vegetarian, gluten-free, or other specialty options means you need less of certain items.
Leftovers – Extras can be sent home with guests or saved for another meal. Don’t worry about having a moderate amount leftover.

Meats

Hamburgers – 1/3 to 1/2 pound of uncooked ground beef per adult. Purchase 3-5 pounds of ground beef. Grill up some veggie burgers too.
Hot dogs – Estimate 2-3 hot dogs per person, so buy 3-4 packages of 10.
Chicken pieces – Count on approximately 1 breast or 5 drumsticks/wings per guest. Buy 20 pieces.
Ribs – Order 5-7 pounds of baby back ribs or 4 racks.
Sausages – Allow 2-3 sausages per adult. Buy 4 packs.
Steaks – Plan on 1 large steak per person, such as 10 ribeye or strip steaks.
Kebabs – Make at least 15-20 kebabs for easier serving.

Side Dishes

Plan on around 1 pound of side dishes per person:

Potato salad – Make 2-3 pounds.
Pasta salad – Prepare 3-4 pounds.
Coleslaw – One 16-ounce tub is enough for 10.
Baked beans – Make or buy 4-5 (16-ounce) cans.
Corn on the cob – Buy 6-8 ears per person, so around 60-80 ears.
Chips and dip – Buy 3-5 bags of chips and a couple tubs of salsa and guacamole.
Fruit salad – Cut up fresh fruit for a light side. Melons, berries, etc.
Veggie trays – Buy lots of carrot/celery sticks, cherry tomatoes, broccoli, etc.
Dinner rolls – Pick up a couple packs of 10-12.

Appetizers

Appetizers are especially important if guests will be arriving over a longer period. Figure 2-4 pieces per guest:

Kabobs or skewers – Make a couple trays with meat, fruit, and veggie options.
Stuffed mushrooms – Figure 2-3 mushrooms per person, so make 30.
Meatballs – Make or buy 4-5 dozen bite-sized meatballs.
Bruschetta – Prepare 1-2 trays topped with tomato, basil, and cheese.
Quesadillas or nachos – Cut quesadillas into smaller pieces and provide toppings for nachos.
Pigs in a blanket – Make 50-60 of these tasty bite-sized appetizers.
Deviled eggs – Boil and prepare 4-5 dozen eggs.

Drinks

Having a selection of drinks is important for any gathering:

Sodas/juices – Have 2-3 cans or bottles per guest. Buy 5-6 boxes or cases.
Bottled water – Stock at least 24 bottles. Have plenty of ice.
Beer and wine – Estimate 3-5 beers or 2-3 glasses of wine per person if serving alcohol. Buy cases of beer and multiple bottles of wine.
Lemonade/tea – Make a couple pitchers if serving homemade drinks.
Coffee/tea – Put on a pot or two towards the end for those who want something warm.

Desserts

Desserts aren’t absolutely necessary, but they make a nice finishing touch. Some easy options:

Watermelon slices
Popsicles
Cookies – Buy 5-6 dozen
Brownies – Make 2-3 pans
Fruit salad
Sheet cake – Pick up a half or full sheet cake from a bakery
Ice cream – Have a couple tubs on hand
S’mores – Fun to make over a firepit

Supplies for 10 Guests

In addition to food and drinks, you’ll need supplies to host and serve a group of 10. Here’s an estimated list of non-food items to have on hand:

Plates, utensils, cups – Stock up on disposable party ware or have ample real dinnerware available
Napkins – Paper or cloth, have a couple packs
Serving utensils – Tongs, spatulas, ladles, knives
Cooking tools – Grilling utensils, roasting pans, knives, foil, etc.
Condiments – Ketchup, mustard, mayo, salt, pepper, sugar, salad dressings, etc.
Ice/coolers – Have 10+ pound bags of ice and multiple coolers
Table covering – Plastic tablecloths, picnic blankets, etc.
Decorations – Balloons, streamers, flowers, etc. for some festive flair
Garbage bags – Make cleanup easier with plenty of large bags
Hand sanitizer and soap – Keep everyone healthy
Bug spray – Especially if eating outdoors at night
Sunscreen – Important if spending prolonged time in the sun
Games/activities – Cornhole, frisbee, football, cards, etc.
Portable speakers – Ambient music enhances the atmosphere
Serving tables – Folding tables or picnic tables to hold food and supplies
Chairs – Seating for 10 adults
Shade structure – Tent, canopy, or umbrella provides shade and refuge

Key Tips for Feeding 10 Adults

Use these tips for a seamless and well-fed barbecue when cooking for 10 adults:

Cook the meat in batches to ensure even, thorough cooking. Don’t crowd the grill.
Use multiple grills or appliances if needed. Have backups like a gas and charcoal grill.
Parboil potatoes, pasta, and corn on the cob in advance to reduce grill time.
Offer a help-yourself buffet with infrequent rotating of ‘hot’ items from the grill.
Keep prepared food chilled on ice or hot in the oven until serving time.
Have a cold food station for make-your-own items like tacos, subs, brats, burgers.
Create a logical assembly line order for making plates and sandwiches.
Encourage guests to return for seconds or more after everyone has eaten initially.
Provide disposable gloves, wipes, and hand sanitizer for good hygiene.
Check with guests for allergies and dietary preferences in advance.
Buy, prepare, and cook more food than you think necessary just to be safe.
Label foods clearly for guests with allergies or dietary needs.
Send leftovers home with guests or keep some for easy future meals.

Sample Menu and Shopping List

Here is a sample barbecue menu for 10 adults with an estimated shopping list to help guide you:

Shopping List

Meats:

7 lbs ground beef
4 packs hot dogs (40 total)
15 chicken breasts
4 racks baby back ribs
10 ribeye steaks
Meat and veggies for 15-20 kebabs

Sides:

80 ears corn
3 lbs pasta
16 oz coleslaw mix
4 cans baked beans
5 bags chips and 2 tubs dip
Watermelon, cantaloupe, grapes, strawberries, kiwi, etc.
2 packs dinner rolls

Appetizers:

Meat and veggies for kabobs
30 button mushrooms
4 lbs frozen meatballs

Drinks:

6 cases soda
3 gallons lemonade or iced tea
24 bottles water
2 cases beer
3 bottles wine

Dessert:

5 dozen cookies
2 boxes brownie mix + ingredients

Supplies:

Plates, cups, utensils
Serving utensils
Condiments
3 10-lb bags ice
Table covering
Garbage bags
Hand sanitizer
Bug spray
Sunscreen
Games
Portable speaker
Folding tables
10 chairs
Canopy tent

How Much Does This All Cost?

The cost of a barbecue for 10 adults can vary significantly based on menu, type of meats, sides, appetizers, etc. For a traditional barbecue with the sample menu above, expect to spend $200-300 to feed 10 adults generously.

Here’s a rough breakdown of estimated costs for the sample menu:

Meats – $100-150
Sides – $50
Appetizers – $30
Drinks – $50
Dessert – $20
Supplies – $50
Total – Approximately $300

You can save money by buying in bulk, choosing cheaper cuts of meat, scaling back on appetizers, reducing drink options, or limiting extras. But you want to provide variety and more than enough food, so err on the side of having too much rather than not enough.

Key Takeaways

Planning and cooking for a group involves some work, but taking the time to organize and prepare makes for an easy, relaxed hosting experience. Remember these tips when planning a barbecue for 10 adults:

Plan for heartier appetites by having plentiful food
Offer a variety of meats, sides, appetizers, desserts, and drinks
Make 2-3 times as much food as you would for just yourself
Have cooking backups like extra grills and appliances
Use methods to keep food hot and cold before serving
Consider food allergies, preferences, and dietary needs
Prepare, buy, and cook more than you think you’ll need
Expect to spend $200-300 for a robust menu for 10
Take the time to get organized with menus, shopping lists, and timelines

Feeding a group requires forethought and preparation, but your efforts will pay off in satisfied guests who are well-fed. Planning a barbecue for 10 adults does not need to be an overwhelming experience with some organization and focus on providing tasty abundancy.

Frequently Asked Questions About Barbecues for 10 Adults

Here are answers to some common questions about planning the right amount of food and supplies for a barbecue for 10 adults:

How much should I budget for a barbecue for 10?

Plan on spending approximately $200-300 for a barbecue with a variety of meat, sides, appetizers, drinks, and desserts. The more food selections and types of meat you want to serve, the higher the cost will be.

How much meat should I buy for 10 adults?

An estimate is around 1-1 1/2 lbs of meat per person. For burgers allow 1/3-1/2 lb uncooked burger per person. Other meats like hot dogs, chicken pieces, ribs, etc. are 2-4 pieces per person. Purchase 10-15 lbs total of meats.

How many pounds of side dishes do I need?

Plan on about 1 lb of side dishes such as salads, vegetables, chips, beans, etc. per guest. Make 10-15 lbs total of side dishes.

How many appetizers should I make for 10 guests?

Appetizers allow for snacking as guests arrive. Prepare 25-40 appetizer pieces total. Popular options include kabobs, stuffed mushrooms, meatballs, bruschetta, veggies and dip, deviled eggs, etc.

How much should I prepare for leftovers?

It’s common to have leftovers for a group. Make enough so each guest can take home a plate or two of extras. Avoid having more than half of the food leftover.

What foods can I prepare in advance?

Sides like potato salad, pasta salad, baked beans, cut fruit, and desserts can be made 1-2 days ahead. Burgers and meats patties can be pre-shaped and chilled.

What should I avoid running out of?

Prioritize having enough meats, buns, beverages, and popular sides like chips and dip. Allow extras of these essentials. Specialty items can have less on hand.

How can I keep all the food warm or cold?

Use chafing dishes, slow cookers, warming trays, and sternos for hot foods. Keep cold foods chilled on ice, or in coolers or fridge.

Summary

Hosting 10 adults for a barbecue requires planning out details like the menu, quantities of food, supplies, and more. But with some organization and preparation, you can pull off feeding this size of group without stress or running short on anything. Figure about 1-1 1/2 pounds of meat and side dishes per person. Offer plentiful appetizers, desserts, and drinks as well. Expect to spend around $200-300 for a robust spread for 10. With the right planning, you can relax and enjoy a successful barbecue together!