BBQ for large groups — how much do you prepare?
Deel
A BBQ for 15, 20 or 30 people – that's a different story than grilling for the family. The planning, quantities, and logistics require a different approach. With the right preparation, you'll ensure everyone has enough food and that you can also enjoy yourself.
How much meat per person for a large BBQ?
As a rule of thumb, count on 250–350g of raw meat per adult for a mixed BBQ with side dishes. If there are many children, count on 150g per child. Without side dishes or for a meat-heavy menu: count 400g per person.
- 👥 10 people: 2.5–3.5 kg of meat
- 🎉 20 people: 5–7 kg of meat
- 🎆 30 people: 7.5–10.5 kg of meat
Check out our comprehensive complete guide for how much meat per person at a BBQ for exact quantities per type of meat.
Which meat is best for large groups?
Best choices for scalability
- Pulled pork — make 1 large neck (3–5 kg) that you can portion. Low & slow, ready while guests arrive. Check out our pulled pork recipe.
- Spareribs — easy to portion, everyone loves them. Make multiple racks at once. Check out our 3-2-1 method recipe.
- Chicken thighs — inexpensive, fast, and scalable. 20 chicken thighs are ready in 30 minutes. Check out our recipe for chicken thighs on the BBQ.
- Skewers / kofta — quick off the grill, easy to portion, little cutting. Check out our kofta recipe.
How much charcoal do you need?
For a large group with multiple grilling rounds: count on 2–3 kg of charcoal or briquettes per hour of active grilling. For a 4-hour session: keep 8–12 kg on hand. Read more in our article on how much charcoal you need.
Planning: how to keep it manageable
- 🗓️ 1 day in advance: marinate or rub meat, prepare side dishes
- ⏰ 2 hours before start: put low & slow meat (pulled pork, spareribs) on the BBQ
- ⏰ 1 hour before start: light charcoal for quick grill, set tables
- 🍖 During the party: grill chicken thighs and skewers in rounds (15–20 min per round)
Tips for a stress-free large BBQ
- ✅ Use multiple BBQs or a large smoker — one BBQ for 20+ people is too cramped
- ✅ Prepare low & slow meat a day in advance and reheat — pulled pork tastes even better the next day
- ✅ Appoint a helper for the grill — so you can enjoy your guests
- ✅ Ensure enough cutting boards, tongs, and serving dishes
- ✅ Make salads and side dishes in advance — see our BBQ salad guide