Communion Party & Garden Party BBQ — Menu, Tips & Rubs

Organizing a communion party or garden party outdoors? A BBQ is the perfect way to surprise a large group of guests without spending hours in the kitchen. With the right preparation, a smart menu, and the right rubs, you can make it an unforgettable day.

Why BBQ for a communion party or garden party?

A BBQ fits perfectly with a garden party: cozy, informal, and scalable. You can easily cook for 20, 40, or even 80 guests — provided you plan well. Moreover, BBQ food is widely loved: children like chicken and sausages, adults appreciate spareribs and pulled pork, and vegetarians are happy with grilled vegetables and halloumi.

How much meat per person?

As a rule of thumb for a party buffet, calculate:

• Chicken: 200–250g per person (raw weight)
• Spareribs: 350–400g per person
• Pulled pork: 180–200g per person (shrinks after cooking)
• Sausages: 1–2 per person as an addition

Read the full guide: How much meat per person BBQ? and BBQ for large groups — how much do you prepare?

The ideal communion party BBQ menu

Choose a combination of dishes that you can prepare in advance and finish on the BBQ at the last minute:

• Main course 1 — Pulled pork with Memphis rub (can be made the day before, reheated on the day itself)
• Main course 2 — Spareribs with Jamaican Jerk or Tex-Mex rub
• Quick from the grill — chicken thighs with Korean rub — ready in 25 minutes
• Vegetarian — grilled halloumi, corn, and zucchini with Toscana Fire
• Kids' favorite — sausages and chicken wings (mild rub, no hot spices)

Which rubs do you choose for a party?

For a varied party menu, choose rubs that are widely appreciated and not too spicy for children:

• Memphis — sweet-smoky, ideal for spareribs and pulled pork, loved by all ages
• Tex-Mex — savory and spicy, perfect for chicken and sausages
• Toscana Fire — aromatic and mild, works for chicken and vegetables
• Jamaican Jerk — for the more adventurous eaters, spicy but not extreme

Want to arrange everything in advance? Check out the Build Your Own BBQ Package or the Starter Pack.

Timeline: how to organize a stress-free BBQ

• 2 days in advance — order meat, prepare rubs, clean BBQ
• Evening before — rub pulled pork and start in the smoker or oven (overnight session)
• Morning of the party — rub spareribs, prepare side dishes
• 2 hours before guests arrive — light the BBQ, spareribs on indirect heat
• Upon guests' arrival — chicken and sausages direct from the grill, keep pulled pork warm

Side dishes for the party

Choose side dishes that can be served at room temperature and prepared in advance. See the complete overview: All BBQ Side Dishes from The Rub Kitchen. Recommendations for a party: coleslaw, potato salad, grilled corn, and hummus.

Tips for BBQ with large groups

• Use multiple BBQs or a large offset smoker if you expect more than 30 guests
• Pulled pork and spareribs can be made the day before — they improve with time
• Label your rubs if you use multiple flavors, so everyone knows what they're eating
• Consider allergens — also read: BBQ Rub Allergen Overview