How much does BBQing cost per person? Budget & tips | The Rub Kitchen

How much does a barbecue cost per person? The answer depends on what you serve, how many people there are, and whether you're going for budget or premium. This overview provides a realistic idea of the cost per person — from a budget BBQ to a premium session — and tips for smart savings without compromising on flavor.

Average BBQ cost per person

BBQ Type Cost per person What do you get?
Budget €5–8 Chicken thighs, sausages, bread, simple sauce
Standard €12–18 Mixed meat (chicken + pork), side dishes, sauce
Premium €25–40+ Ribeye, rack of lamb or brisket, multiple side dishes

Cost breakdown per person (standard BBQ)

  • Meat: €8–12 — largest cost item. Count on 200–300g of meat per person (raw weight).
  • Charcoal or briquettes: €1–2 per person. A bag of briquettes costing €8–12 is enough for 6–8 people for a standard session.
  • Side dishes: €2–4 — coleslaw, bread, corn, salad.
  • Sauces and rub: €0.50–1.50 — a packet of dry rub costs cents per serving and adds more flavor than most pre-made marinades. → Which rub suits you?
  • Drinks: €2–5 — depending on choice.

Dry rub as the cheapest flavor upgrade

One of the smartest budget tips for BBQ: replace expensive pre-made marinades and sauces with a dry rub. A €9.95 packet of rub is enough for 2.5 kg of meat — that's less than €0.50 per serving for professional-level flavor. On chicken thighs, sausages, or pork shoulder, a rub makes the difference between an ordinary and an unforgettable BBQ, without breaking the budget.

→ 3-Evening Pack — 3 rubs of your choice

Buying cheap BBQ meat — tips

  • Chicken thighs and drumsticks offer the best value for money at a BBQ — juicier than chicken breast, dirt cheap. → Chicken thigh BBQ recipe
  • Pork shoulder for pulled pork is one of the cheapest premium BBQ results per kilo. → Pulled pork recipe
  • Chicken drumsticks are €3–4 per kilo at most supermarkets — ideal for large groups. → Chicken drumsticks recipe
  • Buy spareribs on sale and freeze them — spareribs are often on promotion at large supermarkets.
  • Buy from Turkish or Moroccan butchers — lamb mince, chicken thighs, and sausages are generally cheaper here than at the supermarket, and of good quality.

BBQ on a budget — menu for 8 people for €50

  • 8 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (±€10)
  • 8 sausages (±€6)
  • Coleslaw from ½ cabbage + carrot + mayo (±€3) → recipe
  • Baguette (±€3)
  • Grilled corn, 4 pieces halved (±€4) → recipe
  • Dry rub for the chicken (±€2) + homemade garlic sauce (±€2) → recipe
  • Charcoal (±€5) + firelighters (±€1)

Total: ±€36 for 8 people = €4.50 per person.

More BBQ planning