Backyard barbecue
A cookout for a crowd: the grill and what goes on it, a cold cooler, plates and napkins, and something for the bugs.
Amounts below are for 12 people. They are planning estimates; change any of them on your list.
Saves the 18 must-haves, 4 easy-to-forget items and 3 things to do to a list on this device. Upgrades are up to you. Then shop the list item by item and tick things off.
At a glance
- 🔎 Charcoal1 bag
- 🔎 Lighter or matches2 lighters
- 🔎 Grill tools1 set
- 🛒 Food thermometer1 thermometer
- 🔎 Burger patties18 patties
- 🔎 Hamburger buns18 buns
- 🔎 Hot dogs24 hot dogs
- 🔎 Hot dog buns24 buns
- 🔎 Condiments1 set
- 🔎 Chips2 bags
- 🛒 Cooler2 coolers
- 🔎 Ice12 pounds
- 🔎 Soda or sparkling water24 cans
- 🔎 Paper plates18 plates
- 🔎 Cups24 cups
- 🔎 Napkins36 napkins
- 🔎 Plastic utensils18 sets
- 🔎 Trash bags6 bags
🛒 2 exact products we picked · 🔎 16 Amazon searches, so you choose the brand and size.
Must-haves (18)
Charcoal
Get about 1 bag
1 bag for the group
- Must-have
Lighter or matches
Keep them dry. Ready.gov lists waterproof matches.
Get about 2 lighters
2 lighters for the group
Amazon search: “waterproof matches”
Grill tools
Get about 1 set
1 set for the group
Amazon search: “grill tool set”
- Our pick
Food thermometer
ThermoPro TP19 instant-read thermometer
A fast thermometer for meat and leftovers.
Good for: Holiday cooking
Get about 1 thermometer
1 thermometer for the group
Product link checked Oct 30, 2026
Burger patties
Our rule: one and a half per person.
Get about 18 patties
12 people × 1.5 = 18 patties
Hamburger buns
Get about 18 buns (3 × 8-pack)
12 people × 1.5 = 18 buns
Hot dogs
Our rule: two per person for a cookout.
Get about 24 hot dogs (3 × 8-pack)
12 people × 2 = 24 hot dogs
Hot dog buns
Get about 24 buns (3 × 8-pack)
12 people × 2 = 24 buns
Condiments
Ketchup, mustard and relish.
Get about 1 set
1 set for the group
Amazon search: “condiment squeeze bottles”
Chips
Our rule: a family-size bag feeds about 6–7.
Get about 2 bags
12 people × 0.15 = 2 bags (rounded up)
Amazon search: “chips variety pack”
- Must-haveOur pick
Cooler
Coleman 62-quart wheeled cooler
A big wheeled cooler for camp, games and outages.
Good for: Camping and outages
Get about 2 coolers
12 people × 0.15 = 2 coolers (rounded up)
Our rule: one large cooler for every six or seven people.
Product link checked Oct 30, 2026
Ice
Our rule: about a pound per person per day for drinks; more if the cooler holds food.
Get about 12 pounds
12 people × 1 day × 1 = 12 pounds
Amazon search: “bagged ice”
Soda or sparkling water
Our rule: two cans each for a few hours.
Get about 24 cans (2 × 12-pack)
12 people × 2 = 24 cans
Amazon search: “sparkling water variety pack”
- Must-have
Paper plates
Our rule: one and a half per person per meal; people grab seconds.
Get about 18 plates (1 × 100-pack)
12 people × 1 meal × 1.5 = 18 plates
- Must-have
Cups
Get about 24 cups (1 × 50-pack)
12 people × 1 meal × 2 = 24 cups
Amazon search: “disposable cups”
- Must-have
Napkins
Get about 36 napkins (1 × 250-pack)
12 people × 1 meal × 3 = 36 napkins
- Must-have
Plastic utensils
Get about 18 sets (1 × 100-pack)
12 people × 1 meal × 1.5 = 18 sets
Amazon search: “disposable cutlery set”
- Must-have
Trash bags
Our rule: half a bag per person per day; at least one per day.
Get about 6 bags (1 × 50-pack)
12 people × 1 day × 0.5 = 6 bags
Amazon search: “heavy duty trash bags”
Easy to forget (4)
Aluminum foil
Get about 1 roll
1 roll for the group
Amazon search: “heavy duty aluminum foil”
- Must-have
Sunscreen
Our rule: an 8 oz bottle lasts about four person-days with reapplying.
Get about 3 bottles
12 people × 1 day × 0.25 = 3 bottles
Serving utensils
Get about 1 set
1 set for the group
Amazon search: “serving utensils set”
Tablecloths
Get about 2 tablecloths
2 tablecloths for the group
Amazon search: “disposable tablecloths”
Upgrades (5)
Portable grill
Get about 1 grill
1 grill for the group
Outdoor string lights
Get about 1 string
1 string for the group
Yard games
Get about 1 game
1 game for the group
Amazon search: “cornhole set”
Folding table
Our rule: one 6-foot table per eight people.
Get about 2 tables
12 people × 0.12 = 2 tables (rounded up)
Citronella candles or repellent device
Get about 2 devices
2 devices for the group
Amazon search: “mosquito repeller”
Spend less (1)
Instead of citronella candles or repellent device:
- Our pick
Bug spray
Sawyer 20% picaridin insect repellent
A picaridin spray for mosquitoes and ticks.
Good for: Camping and the yard
Get about 3 cans
12 people × 0.25 = 3 cans
Our rule: one can for about four people.
Product link checked Oct 30, 2026
Things to do (3)
- ✅ Check the weather forecast
- ✅ Confirm the headcount
- ✅ Ask families about allergies
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General planning information, not professional or medical advice. A list does not guarantee anyone’s safety. In any emergency, call your local emergency number and follow official guidance from local authorities.
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