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Planning a barbecue bash can go from exciting to chaotic real quick. The grill isn’t fired up, and the food is still in the fridge, among other scenarios. It happens, and this BBQ checklist is here to help you get ahead of the faff.
The Ultimate BBQ Checklist: Prep Made Easy
Let’s start with the basics: what to get ready before the guests arrive so you’re not scrambling last minute.
Get the grill ready
By this, we mean three things: clean, heat, and fuel stock up.
Give the grill grates a good scrub to remove residue, charred bits, and grease. This helps stop sticking and flare-ups. Here’s a guide on ‘Preparing and Cleaning Your BBQ For Use Again’ for more details.
Next, get the grill heated—a hot grilling surface seals in the juices and gives you those classic char marks. A good rule of thumb to preheat a BBQ is about 15 minutes for maximum temperature or searing. Ten minutes or less is ideal for low and slow cooking.
Check your fuel supply beforehand so you’re not caught out mid-cook. For a gas BBQ, start with a full bottle or keep a spare on hand if you’re unsure—it’s always good to have extra, just in case. Stock up more than you think you’ll use for a charcoal BBQ. You’ll have a much easier time keeping the heat steady if you’re not scraping the bottom of the bag.
Have these extra tools nearby
You’ve likely got the basics like tongs, a spatula, and a basting brush. Here are a few extras to keep the flow going once the grill is on:
- Foil trays or baking sheets: Perfect for shifting food on and off the heat. Or keeping a cooked batch warm while you get the rest ready.
- A meat thermometer: This tool takes the guesswork out of cooking and helps you nail the timing. Feel free to skip this if your grill comes with a built-in one.
- Kitchen roll: Handy for quick clean-ups, wiping down surfaces, or drying your hands.
- Serving boards or trays: Use separate ones to keep the setup cleaner. For instance, one for cooked food, one for raw, and another for grilling meat-free options.
- Metal skewers: Stick with metal to avoid the soak-and-wait wooden types that need. Ready to use and easy to clean.
- Spray bottle with water: For flare-up control. A quick mist cools flames without killing the heat, so you can keep cooking.
- Chimney start (charcoal grill only): It lights the coals fast, no lighter fluid needed. This gets your grill ready sooner and tastes better. Load it with charcoal and light the paper underneath, and you’ll have a strong bed of embers ready in 15 to 20 minutes.
Plan the menu line-up (don’t forget the sides)
(Image Credit: Free Stock Range)
A good and catering BBQ spread includes more than meat. Add variety like plant-based options and something sweet. Here’s what you could grill and serve on the table:
The main grub
Burgers, sausages, and chicken thighs are a classic for a UK summer BBQ. Simple to cook and easy to eat. But if you want to mix it up, try marinated chicken wings, pork ribs, or a spatchcock chicken. Skewers are also handy; less mess, quicker to cook, and great for adding flavour.
Get more ideas from our BBQ food list, including seafood and vegetable sides to go with the main dish.
Tip: Prep the night before if you can; it’ll save you time on the day.
Meat-free options
Serve your vegetarian or vegan guests with more than salad and bread rolls. Vegetable skewers, grilled halloumi, or plant-based burgers sound like a treat. Grill them separately from the meat, or put someone in charge of a second grill to avoid mixing.
Veggies usually cook quicker, so don’t leave them unattended.
Dessert to finish
After all the juicy, grilled food, a sweet treat hits the spot. Sicilian ice cream sandwiches are perfect on a warm day—cold, sweet, and easy to hand out. A nectarine and raspberry pavlova never fails: crisp meringue, soft fruit, and cream.
For something lighter and fun, watermelon pizza gets the thumbs-up, especially from kids. Slice the watermelon into thick rounds and top with berries, mint, or yoghurt. It’s fresh and looks great on the table too.
Banoffee tart and strawberries dipped in chocolate are another favourite. Whip up the day before and keep them chilled until ready to serve.
If you have left coal or gas on the grill, you might as well take advantage of it. Sizzle peaches or pineapples to bring out their natural sweetness. Slice them and pop them on the grill for a few minutes on each side. Serve with a dollop of cream or ice cream, and you’ve got a crowd-pleaser.
Or, why not go for BBQ s’mores? Grill your marshmallows until golden, then sandwich them between chocolate and biscuits. It can get a bit sticky, but that’s all part of it.
Whichever you go for, wrapping up with dessert ties the meal together.
Quench the thirst with drink selection
Everyone needs something to sip while waiting for the food, kids included. Alongside your food menu, prepare a variety of beverages to keep the guests refreshed.
Try a boozy fruit punch pitcher, a refreshing cordial or a classic sangria recipe. The Pimm’s cup cocktail, for one, is a true taste of summer. Make it up with lemonade, fresh mint leaves, cucumber, orange slices and strawberries.
The little ones will love homemade strawberry lemonade. You could even make a slushy by blending it with watermelon for something cooler on hot days.
Adults won’t say no to a cold glass of sangria. Prep it in advance and free yourself up. Keep the soft drinks cold in a cooler, too, so everyone can help themselves while you cook.
Tip: Plan your menu, food and drinks included, at least a week or a few days before the BBQ. It gives you more time to sort the shopping and arrange the garden or the patio.
Set up the BBQ party scene
A garden table is the best place to lay out plates, napkins, sauces, and cutlery together. The essentials for enjoying a BBQ. Guests can grab what they need and go back to their seats without having to look for where the ketchup is.
As for seating, don’t overthink it. A handful of folding chairs, a picnic blanket, or a garden bench is enough. Just somewhere for people to sit, eat, and have a chat.
Keep a bin nearby so rubbish doesn’t end up everywhere—makes it easier for everyone to tidy up as they go. But as much as possible, don’t leave the bins exposed. They can be unsightly and might ruin the overall vibe of your BBQ setup. Best is to have them tucked in a bin storage and perhaps put up a few signs on the fence that say, “The bins are that way.”
In case you forget, hang string lights over the seating area and the grill spot. Unless, of course, your outdoor space is already well-lit. Better to be prepared! So once it gets dark, you’ll have a lovely space where everyone can stay longer and keep the party going.
A little prep before everyone turns up makes the whole day flow a lot easier once it gets going.
Practice and prioritise safety
- Keep a mini fire extinguisher and a bucket of water or sand nearby while grilling. Grease fires happen fast.
- Don’t wander off and leave the grill alone, or remind the assigned cook of this. Even a quick dash inside can let flames flare up or wind blow sparks where they shouldn’t.
- Avoid placing the BBQ too close to fences, sheds, or tree branches. Your or your neighbour’s fence (worse) could catch a scorch mark from being too close. Keep about 10 feet or 3 metres.
- Use different plates and tongs for raw and cooked meat to avoid food poisoning. And double-check the meat is cooked well before you serve it. A quick poke or a thermometer will do.
Safety might not be the most exciting part of planning a BBQ, but it should still be high on the list. These small steps make a big difference. Make sure safety is right there with the food and drinks while you’re ticking off your BBQ checklist.
This BBQ checklist guide is a solid start. Feel free to add more to suit your party plans. These prep ideas will come in handy, even if you’re planning a BBQ for 100 people!
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