How Much Does a BBQ Cost Per Person?
Published October 2026 · Numbers use the same portions and prices as our calculators. How we calculate
Cooking a BBQ yourself costs about $7–12 per guest at average US grocery prices, including the meat, buns, two sides, drinks, charcoal and plates. The meat you choose decides most of the bill: chicken and pulled pork are the cheapest per guest and ribs the most expensive.
To price your exact menu, use the BBQ party calculator; for 50 or more guests with a markup, use the catering calculator.
DIY BBQ Cost Per Person (50 Guests)
Planning prices checked Oct 2026 from BLS and USDA retail price data (see methodology). Total includes meat, charcoal, buns where needed, 2.5 drinks per guest, two sides and plates. The last column applies a 3× markup, a common catering rule of thumb.
| Main dish | Meat price | Meat per guest | Total for 50 | DIY per guest | Catered estimate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Burgers | $7.00/lb | $3.50 | $488 | $9.76 | about $29.28 |
| Grilled Chicken | $2.50/lb | $1.50 | $352 | $7.04 | about $21.12 |
| BBQ Ribs | $5.00/lb | $5.00 | $552 | $11.04 | about $33.12 |
| Sausages | $5.00/lb | $2.00 | $413 | $8.26 | about $24.78 |
| Pulled Pork | $2.50/lb | $1.26 | $352 | $7.04 | about $21.12 |
Why Catering Costs More
Caterers typically price food at about 2.5–3.5 times what the ingredients cost, which pays for staff, transport, equipment, insurance and profit. Full service with servers, setup and real plates costs more again. Get two or three written quotes and compare them per guest with the same menu.
Ways to Cut the Cost
- Pick the main carefully: chicken and pulled pork feed a crowd for far less than ribs.
- Buy in bulk: warehouse and family packs are usually cheaper per pound.
- Two sides, not four: extra sides add cost without reducing how much meat people eat.
- Drinks: soda and water cost less than beer; plan about 2.5 drinks per guest for 3 hours.
- Buy the right amount: overbuying is the most common way to overspend.
FAQ
How much does a BBQ cost per person?
Cooking it yourself, a BBQ costs roughly $7–12 per guest including meat, buns, two sides, drinks, charcoal and supplies, at average US grocery prices. Ribs are the most expensive main; chicken and pulled pork are the cheapest.
How much does BBQ catering cost per person?
Caterers usually price at about 2.5–3.5 times their food cost to cover labour, equipment and profit. On the same menu that is roughly 3 times the DIY cost per guest, and more for full service with staff.
What is the cheapest meat for a BBQ party?
At our planning prices the cheapest mains per guest are chicken and pulled pork, then sausages and burgers; ribs cost the most.
How can I lower the cost of a BBQ?
Choose pulled pork or chicken thighs, buy meat in family or warehouse packs, serve two sides instead of four, and offer water and soda rather than beer only.