What should you bring when you’re invited to a Norwegian BBQ at someone’s home? We are from the Netherlands and thought of bringing some beers.

I also read on [this blog](https://www.thesocialguidebook.no/blogs/norwegian-culture/the-norwegian-bbq-2022) that people bring their own food to cook and eat it themselves, is this true?

27 comments

  2. It depends a bit about your age i guess.

    BBQ’s for people in their 20’s usually means you bring your own food. Also if it’s a BBQ party, it would be wise to bring something.

    If i were you, i would just call and ask for what to bring, in case they have made something ready for all of you.

  4. Wtf? If i get invited to someones home i dont bring my own food. If a group of people plans a bbq at a beach or something its normal to bring ur own food.

  6. If they tell u in advance to bring your food you bring food, if they didn’t you bring beer/wine.

    Source: my Norwegian girlfriend and I’m also Dutch and was very confused on my first Norwegian bbq

  8. If it’s a bring your own food bbq they’ll most definitely let you know. If not just bring a bottle of wine/beer and a hat for the after party.

  9. It depends. If invited to “grilling”, I would assume I am meant bring my own meat. You can cook it yourself but also perfectly acceptable to ask the host to cook it. If you want to eat the specific meats you brought you should do it yourself.

    Side dishes are the hosts responsibility. However, as a proper BBQ party requires lots of side dishes, guests bringing some is welcome. This is the part where you have to ask your host anyway so you dont end up with 2x the amount potato salat when you could have had something nice instead.

    And thus the question of meat is answered as well.

    If someone invites you to grillmat everything should be provided by the host. Bring a bottle of wine as a gift.

  12. I agree with the others to ask. Because when it’s at someones house it’s a bit like being invited for dinner – only that it will be prepared outdoors instead of indoors. (and usually havea more casual feel over it). If saying “hey we where planning on heading to the beach in saturday, and bringing a grill, do you want to join” then that is a pretty obvious “bring your own” food type of situation.

    But there are times when that is not the case, so asking “hi I wondered what we should bring, I was thinking some beers to share” might be a nice. then the host gets a heads up, and can also say if there is something to keep in mind. i.e bring your own food, or I dunno, someone is deadly allergic to malt so please to wine instead.

  13. It’s quite common that you bring your own alcohol and meat. The side dish(es) are usually taken care of by the host. But feel free to ask what to bring. It won’t upset the host at all, and it is quite common that people do ask this 🙂

    For reference my wife and I just hosted a BBQ last weekend. People brought their own meat while we prepared a big salad and some side dishes and appetisers. We also had ready chilled beer and wine. Most of the guest did contact me before hand and asked what to bring. Some of the guest also brought a bottle of wine or similar as a gift (not needed, but ofc always welcome).

  14. Bring beer, and maybe some backup meat/hotdogs so if they expect you to bring your own meat you did, and if not you did a nice gesture, bringing food for all to enjoy.

  16. commonly, ppl bring their own food, and depending on who invited, everyone gets something for everyone. that way u got ur main meal for urself, but u can all enjoy cake chips snacks and whatever.

    also common to bring ur own drinks. unless the host said they are fixing smth, u bring ur own. dont be afraid to ask tho, i dont think thats a weird question. u could formulate it to just ask what the host is doing.

  17. The perfect side dish to bring for a bbq is a large mason jar of homemade pickled red onions. Goes well with everything, is cheap and easy to make, and no-one else ever brings it.

  18. Alot of different answers here. Most often it depends on the friends/or type social group.(school/work etc) The best answer is tob just ask nice what you should bring. 🙂 But alcohol is normal to bring yourself.

  21. Ask the host(s). It is completely normal and no one will be offended (in most cases, it’s the opposite). Sometimes the host provide everything, sometimes guests bring whatever they want to throw on the grill.

    Usually you at least bring your own drinks and maybe something for the hosts as well (not needed or expected, but often appreciated). Nothing fancy, a bottle of wine or a 6’er of beer or something along those lines.

  27. Depends on the host.

    We do American style and therefore I pay for everything and start preppy weeks before the bbq day.

    When we do it at others, we have brought our own food or made the sides (because everyone loves our sides).

    You should bring your own beverages as that is customary.

    Your best bet is to ask the host. Suggest that you can bring a side or chips.

Leave a Reply