How Much BBQ for 10 People? Exact Amounts by Meat

Planning a BBQ for 10 people? A mixed menu needs about 6.2 lbs (2.8 kg) of meat, about 0.63 lb per person. The table compares every common BBQ meat for 10 guests, with drinks, sides, charcoal and supplies included in the totals.

Prices checked Oct 2026, average US grocery prices. Portions follow common catering rules of thumb; safe temperatures follow USDA. How we calculate

Small BBQ cookout for 10 guests around a backyard grill

Meat Comparison for 10 Guests

MeatPer personTotalCountMeat costParty total*
Burgers0.5 lbs5 lbs (2.3 kg)20 quarter-pound patties$35$100
Grilled Chicken0.6 lbs6 lbs (2.7 kg)about 15 pieces$15.00$72
BBQ Ribs1 lb10 lbs (4.5 kg)5 racks of baby back ribs$50$141
Sausages0.4 lbs4 lbs (1.8 kg)20 sausage links$20$85
Pulled Pork0.5 lbs5 lbs (2.3 kg)1 pork butt$13.00$96

*Party total includes meat, charcoal, buns where needed, drinks (2.5 per person), two sides and supplies.

Plan for Exactly 10 Guests

Mixed menu (¼ each of burgers, ribs, chicken, sausages)6.2 lbs (2.8 kg) of meat in total
Charcoal5 lbs, about 1 bag of 16 lbs (more if you smoke ribs or pork)
Drinks25 cans or bottles, 1 × 48-quart cooler
Ice2 bags of 10 lbs (1.5 lbs per guest)
Sides3 lbs each of potato salad and coleslaw, 10 ears of corn
BBQ sauce1 lb, roughly 1 × 18-oz bottles
Plates and napkins15 plates, 30 napkins
Helpers1 person cooking

A party of 10 is a manageable backyard BBQ. A single standard grill handles this size easily. Prep sides the day before and you can focus on grilling the day of.

Pick your own mix of meats, drinks, sides and sauces, and get a PDF shopping list.

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Gear for a 10-Person BBQ

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ThermoPro TP-16 Digital ThermometerChecks every meat on the menu reaches a safe internal temperature.
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Weber Rapidfire Chimney StarterLights a full load of charcoal in about 15 minutes.
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FAQ

How much BBQ meat for 10 people?

For 10 people plan about 6.2 lbs (2.8 kg) of meat for a mixed menu, about 0.63 lb per person. For a single meat: 5 lbs of burgers, 6 lbs of chicken, 10 lbs of ribs, or 5 lbs of raw pork butt.

Detailed Guides by Meat Type

Other Party Sizes