BBQ Calculator
Calculate exactly how much meat, sides, and supplies you need for your cookout. Get a complete shopping list and grilling guide.
Plan Your BBQ
Calculate how much meat and supplies you need
Kids eat about half portions
~8 oz meat per adult (typical cookout)
Total Meat Needed
9.7 lbs
For 20 guests (15 adults, 5 kids)
Meat Shopping List
Side Dishes
Coleslaw
4 lbs
Baked Beans
6 lbs
Potato Salad
6 lbs
Supplies Checklist
Charcoal
15 lbs
if using charcoal
Propane
1 tank
20lb tanks
Per Person
8 oz
+ 3 sides
How to Use This Calculator
Enter your total guest count and how many are children (under 12). Children typically eat about half of adult portions, so this helps calculate accurate amounts.
Select the appetite level based on your crowd. Light is good for events with lots of appetizers or a hot day. Hungry is for big eaters or active outdoor events.
Choose your main meat type - this determines the specific cuts in your shopping list. "Mixed" gives you a classic variety of burgers, chicken, ribs, and hot dogs.
Adjust the number of side dishes and event duration to fine-tune your planning.
Understanding Your Results
The meat shopping list breaks down exactly how much of each cut to buy, including an automatic 10% buffer for trimming and seconds.
Side dishes are calculated based on standard portions. Feel free to adjust based on your specific recipes and what you know your guests like.
The supplies checklist covers paper goods and serving essentials. Check off items as you shop. Consider buying 10-15% extra supplies for spills and accidents.
Grilling info helps you plan fuel (charcoal or propane) and estimate cooking time. Start earlier than you think - you can always keep food warm, but you can't speed up the grill.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much meat per person for a BBQ?
Plan for 1/3 to 3/4 pound of raw meat per person depending on appetite. Light eaters: 1/3 lb (5 oz). Average appetites: 1/2 lb (8 oz). Hearty eaters: 3/4 lb (12 oz). For kids under 12, plan for about half of adult portions.
How much hamburger meat for 20 people?
For 20 people with standard 1/4 lb burger patties, buy 6-7 pounds of ground beef. This allows for about 1.5 burgers per person plus some extra. Buy more if burgers are the only main dish or if you expect hearty appetites.
How many hot dogs per person?
Adults typically eat 1.5-2 hot dogs each, while children eat about 1. For a mixed crowd, plan for 1.5 hot dogs per person on average. Hot dogs are usually a secondary item alongside burgers, so you can reduce this if offering multiple proteins.
How much charcoal do I need?
For a typical cookout, use about 30 briquettes per pound of meat, or roughly 1 pound of charcoal per pound of meat. For a 3-4 hour cookout with 10 lbs of meat, you'll need about 10-15 lbs of charcoal. Add more for low-and-slow cooking.
How far in advance should I buy meat for a BBQ?
Fresh ground beef: 1-2 days ahead. Steaks and chops: 3-5 days ahead. Whole chickens: 1-2 days ahead. Ribs and larger cuts: 3-5 days ahead. For larger events, consider ordering from a butcher a week ahead to ensure you get enough.
What sides go best with BBQ?
Classic BBQ sides include: coleslaw, baked beans, potato salad, corn on the cob, mac and cheese, and green salad. Plan for 2-4 sides per person, with about 1/2 cup of each side dish. Having 3-4 different options gives variety without overwhelming.
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