Planning a barbecue and wondering how much food you need to buy? Determining how many pounds of barbecue meat and sides to prepare per person is an important part of hosting a successful backyard BBQ. With the right calculations, you can ensure there is enough food for your guests without too many leftovers.
This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about calculating BBQ servings, including factors like meat type, appetites, sides, and more. We’ll provide tips on how much meat, ribs, chicken, sausage, burgers, hot dogs, and other BBQ staples to have on hand. Read on for expert advice on nailing your barbecue food quantities.
Introduction
When hosting a barbecue, one of the most challenging parts is figuring out how much food to buy and prepare. You want to make sure every guest gets plenty to eat without breaking the bank. Calculation mistakes can lead to not having enough food or being stuck with a fridge full of leftovers.
Determining the right amounts of barbecue entrees and sides comes down to a few key factors:
- Type of meat – Serving sizes vary for ribs, chicken, burgers, etc.
- Number of guests – Are you feeding a handful or a crowd?
- Appetites – Big eaters need larger portions.
- Sides – Don’t forget allowances for salads, beans, bread and more.
- Leftovers – Do you want extras for lunches or to avoid running out?
Weigh these considerations against your budget to land on ideal per person BBQ quantities. Read on for specific serving size recommendations for all your grilling favorites.
How Much BBQ Per Person Guidelines
These general BBQ food guidelines provide a starting point for planning your event:
- 1/2 pound (8oz) of meat per person – For main meats like chicken, burgers, ribs, etc.
- 1/4 pound (4oz) of specialty meats per person – For sausages, hot dogs, etc.
- 1-2 side dishes per person – Such as salad, beans, slaw, potatoes, etc.
- 2-3 pieces of bread per person – Buns for sandwiches/burgers.
- 1-2 beverages per person – Sodas, beers, lemonade, etc.
- 1-2 dessert servings per person – Such as cookies, brownies, fruit salad.
These estimates form a baseline, but you should adjust amounts based on the particular foods you’ll serve and your guests’ appetites. Keep reading for more specific quantity recommendations.
BBQ Meat Serving Sizes
Figuring out how many pounds of the major meats like chicken, ribs, and pork shoulder to buy takes careful consideration. Here are typical serving sizes for common barbecue entrees:
BBQ Chicken
Chicken is a barbecue staple, perfect for grilling up bone-in or boneless pieces. A good rule of thumb is:
- 1/2 chicken per person – For a whole cut-up chicken or collection of pieces.
- 1 breast or thigh per person – If serving specific cuts vs. whole chickens.
So for every 2 guests, plan on purchasing 1 whole chicken. For big chicken eaters or boneless breasts, bump it up to 2 breasts per person.
BBQ Ribs
Messy, saucy ribs are pure barbecue goodness. For baby back or spare ribs, plan for:
- 1 – 1.5 racks of ribs per person – The typical serving size range.
- 2 lbs of rib meat per person – If buying boneless country-style rib meat.
Ribs have a lot of bone weight, so allow at least 1 pound of meat alone per guest too. Better to have leftovers than leave rib lovers unsatisfied.
BBQ Pork Roast
For crowd-pleasing pulled pork sandwiches, allow:
- 1/2 pound of pork roast per person – For boneless pork shoulder/butt.
- 3/4 pound per person for bone-in – Since bone weight adds pounds.
Pork roast shrinks when cooked low and slow, so factor for some waste too. Those who love pulled pork may go back for seconds.
BBQ Beef Brisket
Brisket is classic Texas-style barbecue, though tricky to perfect. To serve juicy brisket slices, plan on:
- 3/4 pound raw weight per person – Allows for shrinkage and some bone/fat waste.
- 1/2 pound cooked weight per person – After trimming and cooking losses.
Buy a whole brisket and retain leftovers if underfeeding is not an option. Brisket also makes amazing sandwiches.
BBQ Burgers
For all-American grilled burgers, allowance depends on burger size:
- 1/3 pound patties: 2-3 per person
- 1/2 pound patties: 1-2 per person
- Veggie patties: 2-3 per person
Factor in any extras you’ll offer, like bacon, cheese, etc. Lean towards extra burgers if attendees are big meat fans.
BBQ Hot Dogs
Hot dogs please kids and adults alike. For wieners alone, plan for:
- 2-3 standard dogs per person
- 1-2 jumbo dogs per person
Add an extra dog per guest if you’ll have lots of sides/toppings to pile on. Don’t forget buns – allow 2 per hot dog.
BBQ Sausage
Grilled sausages like kielbasa, brats, andouille, etc. require about:
- 1-2 sausages per person – Depending on size.
- 4-8 oz per person – If figuring raw sausage meat weight.
Add a couple extra sausages if you expect big appetites or want leftovers.
BBQ Sides Allowances
In addition to the meat, barbecue meals need scrumptious sides to round out the plate. Here are typical servings for popular BBQ accompaniments:
BBQ Beans
Baked, grilled, or canned beans are convenient. Figure:
- 1/2 cup beans per person – As a standalone side.
- 1/4 cup per person – If one of multiple sides.
Beans are inexpensive and portions can be tweaked easily. Allow more for big bean fans.
Coleslaw
Cool, creamy coleslaw balances smoky meats. For servings:
- 1/2 cup per person – As a standalone salad.
- 1/4 cup per person – Alongside other sides.
Stick to the 1/2 cup guideline if coleslaw will be a major component of the meal.
Potato Salad
This classic picnic salad should be served at about:
- 1/2 cup per person – As the only salad option.
- 1/4 cup per person – With other side choices available.
Potato salad makes great leftovers, so don’t stress about exact amounts.
Macaroni Salad
For chillable macaroni salad:
- 1/2 cup per person – As the sole salad side.
- 1/4 cup per person – Alongside other salads or sides.
Leftovers can get a little soggy, so prepare only as much macaroni salad as you expect guests to eat.
Corn on the Cob
Grilled corn on the cob is a favorite. Allow:
- 1-2 ears per person – Depending on corn lover status and appetites.
Go for 2 ears if corn will be a highlight of your barbecue spread.
Baked Beans
These sweet, smoky beans are great for large groups:
- 1/2 cup per person – As the only baked bean option.
- 1/4 cup per person – If other sides available.
Stick with smaller portions since baked beans are so rich.
Corn Bread
A little corn bread goes a long way. Keep portions in check:
- 1 small piece or square per person – If other sides/bread available.
- 2-3 pieces or squares per person – If no other bread/starch sides.
Corn bread makes excellent leftovers for soup dipping.
Leftovers and Special Cases
Avoid skimping on barbecue quantities, especially for special events:
For Parties or Events
Add at least 1/3 more meat and sides for parties, events, graduations, etc. Guests may return for seconds and you want ample choices.
Big Eaters
If the group trend towards large appetites, increase servings across the board by 1/3 to 1/2 pound more meat and 1-2 extra sides per person.
For Leftovers
Buy extra meat, sides, buns etc. if you want leftovers for lunches or don’t want to risk running short on a specialty dish.
Vegetarians/Vegans
Add a couple extra veggie burger or sausage patties, portobello mushrooms, eggplant slices, etc. for non-meat eaters. Allow 2-3 meatless patties per veggie guest.
Sample BBQ Menus
Here are some example backyard barbecue menus with servings for 10 adults:
All-American BBQ
- 5 lbs Beef Burgers (10 Quarter-pounders)
- 5 lbs Hot Dogs (30 Standard Franks)
- 2 lbs Potato Salad (5 cups)
- 2 lbs Beans (5 cups)
- 60 Hamburgers Buns
- 20 Hot Dog Buns
- Condiments
- Chips
- Cookies
Tex-Mex Fiesta
- 1 Whole Brisket (8 lbs raw weight)
- 2 Pork Roasts (8 lbs) for Pulled Pork
- 4 lbs Sausage (Chorizo, Andouille)
- 2 lbs Chicken Breasts (10)
- 4 lbs Potato Salad (10 cups)
- 3 lbs Macaroni Salad (7.5 cups)
- 5 lbs Chips and Dips
- Sheet Cake
Surf and Turf
- 5 lbs Burgers (20 Quarter Pounders)
- 4 Whole Chickens
- 2 lbs Hot Dogs (12 Franks)
- 5 lbs Ribs (12 racks)
- 4 lbs Salmon Fillet (8 pieces)
- 3 lbs Baked Beans (7.5 cups)
- 3 lbs Coleslaw (7.5 cups)
- Buns and Rolls
- Brownies
Adjust up or down for your guest count. Recalculate if offering specialty dishes or catering to extra big appetites.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How much BBQ is needed per guest?
Plan on 1/2 pound of meat, 1-2 sides, bread, and a beverage per guest. Adjust amounts based on appetites and menu.
2. How many pounds of brisket per person is needed?
Allow 3/4 pound of raw brisket weight per person, or 1/2 pound cooked. Brisket shrinks substantially when barbecued.
3. How much pulled pork per guest?
Figure 1/2 pound raw pork roast weight per person. Pork also reduces in size significantly when cooked low and slow.
4. How many racks of ribs should I have for 10 people?
For a crowd of 10, we recommend 15-20 racks of ribs, allowing 1 – 1 1/2 racks per average eater.
5. How many pounds of sausage for 20 people?
For sausages as a main entree option, allow 4-8 ounces of uncooked sausage per person, so 5-10 pounds total for 20.
6. How many chickens do I need for 30 people?
With 1/2 chicken per guest, you’ll need about 15 whole chickens for a group of 30. Buy a couple extra in case of miscalculations or extra big eaters.
7. How many pounds of potato salad for 50 people?
Plan on 1/2 cup potato salad per guest, or 25 cups total. With 8 servings per pound, that’s around 3 pounds of potato salad for 50 people.
8. How many burgers should I buy for 20 guests?
Allow 2 quarter-pound patties per burger lover, so buy 20-30 quarter pounders for 20 guests. Have a couple extras on hand to be safe.
Conclusion
Determining barbecue quantities for a crowd can seem daunting, but following our guidelines will set you up for success. Take into account the type of meats, projected appetites, side dishes, and extras when doing your BBQ food math.
The general rule of thumb is 1/2 pound of meat and 1-2 hearty sides per person. Adjust up for big eaters, parties, leftovers, etc. Under buying is worse than having a few hot dogs left over. When in doubt, grab an extra pack of burgers or rack of ribs. Your crew will thank you for the bountiful barbecue spread.