How to BBQ for up to 100 People

Grilling for your family is one thing, but catering for 100 guests is a whole different game. A crowd like this will need planning, including getting the portions right, choosing the right type of BBQ, and figuring out how to keep the food coming.

Here’s a helpful guide to get you started.

How to BBQ for a Large Party

(Image Credit: Wikimedia Commons)

First things first, BBQ math: how much barbecue do you need? You’ll want to work out portions based on the type of food you’re serving.

For instance, plan around ½ pound (225g) of meat per person if it’s the main dish or a bit less if there are plenty of sides. If the menu includes a mix of dishes, like chicken, burgers, sausages, and veggies, make sure to factor in these, too. This will help you adjust portions accordingly so you don’t run out of one thing too quickly.

Once you’ve sorted this, shopping, prepping, and cooking are much more manageable.

Prepping and cooking time

Preparing in advance and having an idea of how long each food is grilled helps you serve everything on time. Brisket and pulled pork, for instance, need hours of slow cooking, so you’ll need to start well early. In contrast, burgers, sausages, and chicken cook quickly, so they can be done before serving.

Planning ahead makes a big difference when it comes to grill space and timing. If you’re cooking big cuts of meat, you don’t want them hogging all the space when it’s time to throw on burgers or skewers. That’s why it’s always best to have a grill with multiple burners—it lets you cook different foods at the same time.

The bigger the grill, the better

A bigger grill helps, too, especially if you’re using a gas BBQ. The great thing about a gas BBQ with multiple burners is that each one lets you cook at different temperatures, therefore letting you give each food type its own section of the grill. A 4 burner BBQ can handle a crowd if you’re cooking in batches, but a 6 burner BBQ gives you more room to cook everything faster and more in one go. With the extra space, you can even keep a section free for vegetarian or vegan guests.

Take the BillyOh Alabama 4 Burner Gas BBQ with Sink, for instance. With a sink, a central BBQ grill with four burners, a cooking plate, and a side burner, you get a wide range of cooking options along with generous preparation space!

If you want more burners, consider the BillyOh Huntsville 6 Burner Gas BBQ. It comes with six large cooking zones and an additional side burner. Whatever the combo, there’s plenty of space to cook up a feast!

Choose your BBQ serving style

There are two ways to serve your guests your grilled delicacies: cookout, buffet, or a mix of both.

• BBQ cookout style: With a BBQ cookout style, food is grilled in real-time by assigned helpers, maybe family, friends, or hired cooks. This means guests get their food straight off the grill for each course, hot and ready to eat. However, this also means someone must be manning the grill throughout while others handle plating and serving.
• BBQ buffet style: A BBQ buffet style might be better if you want a more hands-off approach. Instead of grilling throughout the event, each meal course is cooked in advance and kept warm in serving dishes. Guests can then line up and help themselves when it’s time to eat.
• Go for both: You can have the appetisers and main courses pre-grilled or cooked hours before the party, while the desserts (if you’re going for the grilled ones) are served straight from the grill. This way, you get the best of both worlds—fresh off-the-flames BBQ without someone being stuck at the grill all day.

Go with whatever makes serving your guests the easiest and most hassle-free. After all, cooking for 100 is a big job!

Set up garden furniture sets

Prepare enough folding garden dining table and chair sets to cater for everyone. Put up some signs for seat designations so guests know where to sit. A couple of extra chairs never hurt either—someone will always appreciate the option to take a seat.

Want more tips? Have a look at this guide next: Wedding BBQ Ideas for a Reception at Home