Summer barbecue with friends: everything you need to buy for the perfect cookout

There's a moment in summer you wait for all year without realising it: the one where someone sends a message to the group chat saying "barbecue at mine on Saturday?" Within five minutes it's a unanimous yes, and the fun — and slightly chaotic — part of organising begins.

Because a successful barbecue with friends isn't entirely improvised. You need the right meat, enough charcoal to last past midday, something for those who don't eat meat, something to nibble while you wait, and — not a small detail — enough to drink for everyone. This guide brings together everything you need to buy, so Saturday arrives stress-free.

Meat and fish: the heart of the barbecue

Choosing the meat is always the most debated part of any barbecue. The golden rule is variety — something quick to cook for the first hungry guests, something slower and more flavourful for those who can wait.

Meat:

• Pork ribs (they take time, but they're worth it)
• Sausages and mixed skewers (quick to cook, always popular)
• Burgers (buy them ready-formed or prepare the mince in advance)
• Marinated chicken — thighs, drumsticks or wings
• Beef sirloin or ribeye for the dedicated carnivores
• Streaky bacon to wrap around vegetables or skewers

Fish and seafood (if you're near the coast or want to mix things up):

• Prawn skewers
• Salmon or sea bass fillets
• Whole squid
• Cuttlefish

For the marinades, buy in advance:

• Extra virgin olive oil
• Garlic
• Fresh or dried rosemary, thyme, oregano
• Soy sauce and honey for Asian-style marinades
• Smoked paprika and cumin for a bolder flavour
• Lemons (plenty — they go with everything)

For non-meat eaters: nobody watches from the sidelines

More and more often there are vegetarian or vegan friends at the barbecue. Getting prepared in advance — and not leaving them with just the salad — is a small gesture that makes a big difference.

Vegetarian options for the grill:

• Veggie or bean burgers
• Halloumi (the cheese that holds its shape on the grill without melting)
• Mixed vegetable skewers
• Whole corn on the cob
• Marinated portobello mushrooms
• Marinated firm tofu
• Thick-sliced peppers, courgettes and aubergines

Side dishes and starters: the wait is part of the fun

While the coals get up to temperature and the first items hit the grill, guests are hungry. Starters and side dishes are what keep the party alive in the meantime.

Table starters:

• Sliced bread or baguette (great on the grill with a drizzle of olive oil)
• Bruschetta
• Olives and pickles
• Charcuterie board
• Hard cheeses
• Dips and sauces — hummus, tzatziki, guacamole, barbecue sauce, ketchup, mayonnaise
• Crisps and nachos for grazing

Side dishes:

• Mixed salad or rocket with cherry tomatoes
• Potato salad (make it the day before — it improves overnight)
• Coleslaw
• Corn on the cob
• Panzanella (perfect in summer)
• Tex-Mex style baked beans

For the buns and wraps:

• Burger buns (soft, with sesame seeds)
• Flatbreads or tortillas for those who prefer to wrap
• Sandwich bread for a lighter option

Drinks: more than you think

Drinks are almost always underestimated on the barbecue shopping list. The heat, the grill, the hours spent outside — people drink far more than usual. It's always better to have too much.

Alcoholic drinks:

• Beer — lager, craft ale, a few cans for those who prefer them
• Light red wine or rosé (rosé in summer is practically mandatory)
• Prosecco or sparkling wine for the opening aperitivo
• A spirit or rum for evening cocktails

Soft drinks and non-alcoholic options:

• Still and sparkling water in abundance
• Classic fizzy drinks
• Fruit juices
• Iced tea
• Homemade or ready-made lemonade

For cocktails:

• Ice in abundance (always more than you plan for)
• Sugar syrup or mint syrup
• Fresh fruit for garnishing and flavouring
• Lime and lemon
• Tonic water and ginger beer

Grill equipment: before you light the fire

If you don't have everything you need or it's the first barbecue of the season, check these purchases before anything else.

Fuel and ignition:

• Lumpwood charcoal (plenty — better to have leftovers than run out mid-afternoon)
• Charcoal briquettes (they burn longer than standard charcoal)
• Lighter fluid or solid firelighters
• Long matches or a kitchen lighter

Grill accessories:

• Long-handled tongs for turning meat without burning yourself
• Burger spatula
• Grill brush for cleaning the grate
• Meat thermometer for checking doneness
• Tray or baking sheet for carrying meat from the kitchen to the grill
• Aluminium foil for wrapping vegetables or keeping cooked food warm
• Heat-resistant oven gloves

Table and logistics: the details that keep things running smoothly

A barbecue with friends is convivial and informal, but a little table organisation makes the difference between a relaxed party and one where the plates keep running out.

For the table:

• Large sturdy plates (disposable or reusable)
• Tall glasses for cocktails and wine glasses
• Disposable or reusable outdoor cutlery
• Paper napkins in abundance
• Kitchen roll (essential)
• Wipe-clean or oilcloth tablecloth for outdoor tables

For logistics:

• Large bin bags
• Airtight containers for leftovers
• Cling film and foil
• Washing-up sponges and liquid for the clean-up
• Insect repellent spray and citronella candles (essential in summer)
• Candles or torches for when the evening sets in

Dessert: finishing on a high note

After hours at the grill, something cold and sweet is always welcome — and it doesn't have to be complicated.

Practical summer desserts:

• Watermelon (the classic — perfect, timeless)
• Tub of ice cream to keep in the freezer
• Artisan or shop-bought ice lollies
• Mixed seasonal fruit
• A ready-made tart or cake
• Biscuits or brownies to pass around

Organise everything with Spesary

A barbecue for ten people has a surprisingly long shopping list — and when it's split between several people it gets even easier to lose track. With Spesary you can build the complete list, share it with whoever's involved, and divide up the categories so everyone brings what they're supposed to — no overlaps, no gaps.

Fewer messages in the group chat, more time enjoying the grill.