Planning a barbecue can be tricky, especially when trying to figure out how much food to buy and prepare. One of the most common questions asked is “How many pounds of bbq per person?” The answer depends on several factors, which we’ll explore in this comprehensive guide.
Introduction
Barbecues are a beloved tradition in many parts of the world. They bring family and friends together to enjoy delicious smoked and grilled foods outdoors. Planning a barbecue requires forethought to ensure you have enough food to go around without overbuying and wasting.
The most important calculation is determining how much barbecue meat to purchase per guest. Factors like the type of meat, the size of the crowd, side dishes being served, and appetites of attendees will influence the ideal quantity. Having too little leads to hungry guests while too much wastes money and food.
This guide will examine common meats used in barbecuing and recommend how many pounds per person to buy based on your event size and menu. We’ll also provide tips to accurately estimate attendance and plan a successful barbecue. Let’s get grilling!
How Much BBQ Meat Per Person?
When determining how much barbecue meat to buy, these are the most important considerations:
Type of Meat
Pork, beef, chicken, ribs, sausage – different meats require different portion sizes. A pound of shrimp provides more individual servings than a pound of brisket.
Number of Guests
Are you feeding a small dinner party or a wedding reception? The amount needed scales up or down depending on your headcount.
Other Menu Items
If serving multiple entrée options or abundant sides, you may need less meat per person than if only offering barbecue.
Appetites
Big eaters and kids tend to consume more than seniors and those with smaller appetites. Know your crowd.
Leftovers
Some hosts like having extra barbecue for sandwiches or freezing. Others prefer buying closer to exact needs.
Budget
Your wallet may dictate how much protein you can afford. Prioritize meats if on a tighter budget.
Below are estimates for common barbecue meats to help calculate how many pounds per person you should purchase.
Pork Barbecue
- Pulled Pork – 1/2 to 1 lb per person
- Pork Chops – 2 to 3 oz (1/3 lb) per chop, 2-3 chops per person
- Pork Ribs – 1 to 2 slabs (1.5 to 3 lbs) per person
- Sausage/Hot Dogs – 2 to 3 sausage links or dogs per person
Since pulled pork stretches further in sandwiches and sides, you can typically get away with 1/2 pound per person. Go higher for heartier appetites or if serving pork alone. Pork ribs and chops should be closer to 1 pound per guest.
Beef Barbecue
- Brisket – 1/2 to 3/4 lb per person
- Burgers – 1/3 to 1/2 lb patty per person
- Steak – 1/2 lb per person for single servings, up to 1 lb for heartier appetites
- Ribs – 1 slab (1.5 to 2.5 lbs) per person
Brisket is often the star of beef barbecues. Allow 3/4 pound per person if serving it alone with just sides. Burgers and steak weighs less pre-cooked than finished, so keep patty sizes on the smaller side. Figure 2 average sized patties (1/3 pound raw) per guest.
Chicken Barbecue
- Bone-in Chicken – 1/2 to 1 whole chicken per person
- Boneless Breasts – 1/3 to 1/2 lb per person
- Wings – 2 to 3 lbs per person
- Kebabs – 3 to 4 oz meat per skewer, 2 to 3 skewers per person
Chicken typically requires about 1/2 pound per person if not accompanied by other entrée meats. Boneless cuts like breasts and kebabs allow more precision in portions. Expect guests to consume 1 to 2 pounds of chicken wings.
Fish and Seafood Barbecue
- Shrimp – 1/4 to 1/3 lb per person
- Salmon – 6 oz fillet or steak per person
- Oysters – 3 or 4 per person
- Lobster Tails – 2-3 oz or 1 tail per person
Seafood is lighter than red meat, so portions are smaller. Shrimp and oysters are often appetizers. A 6 oz salmon fillet or halved lobster tail makes a sufficient single serving.
Vegetarian Barbecue
- Portobello Mushrooms – 2 or 3 caps per person
- Veggie Burgers – 1 or 2 patties per person
- Vegetarian Kebabs – 1 to 2 skewers per person
- Tofu – 1/4 to 1/3 lb per person
- Seitan or Tempeh – 1/3 to 1/2 lb per person
For vegetarian and vegan barbecues, allow 4 to 6 oz of meat substitutes per guest when they make up the core entrée option. Marinated and skewered veggies can also supplement plant-based protein.
Combination Barbecues
If serving more than one entrée meat option, which is common at large gatherings, you can reduce the per person quantity of each. Here are some examples:
- Burgers + Hot Dogs – 1 burger + 1 hot dog per person
- Ribs + Chicken – 1/2 slab ribs + 1/4 lb chicken per person
- Kebabs + Fish – 2 skewers + 4-5 oz fish per person
- Pulled Pork/Brisket/Chicken – 1/3 lb each per person
A diversity of meats and flavors will satisfy more guests but allow you to purchase smaller amounts of each. Just be sure to have enough of any signature or favorite dishes guests expect.
How Many People Will Attend Your Barbecue?
Before determining the total quantity of barbecue meat needed, first estimate your headcount. For casual backyard grilling for family or a defined friend group, tallying up attendees is straightforward. For larger community, work, or church events, guesswork is required.
Here are some tips for gauging attendance:
- Set a Cut-Off Date – To get an RSVP count, establish a cut-off date for people to respond by. Follow up with stragglers.
- Review Past Events – Check old guest lists and headcounts to estimate based on previous years.
- Gather Insights – Ask organizers about expected turnout based on interest and sign-ups. See if there are Facebook event RSVPs.
- Plan For No-Shows – Not everyone saying “yes” will actually attend. Overestimate by 10-20% to be safe.
- Expect Drop-Ins – Public events often draw unexpected guests. Have extra food for 5-10 potential drop-ins.
- Buy Last Minute If Needed – Wait until the final expected number is known to buy any perishable extra food.
- Safety First – For health reasons, limit guests if a smaller bbq is more prudent than a large gathering.
Gauging attendance ahead of time takes some upfront legwork but prevents either running out of food or extra expenses from overbuying. Now let’s look at suggested quantities based on crowd size.
Pounds of Meat Needed For Different Group Sizes
Here are estimates for total pounds of barbecue meat required for gatherings of different attendance levels:
Barbecue for 2-4 People
- Burgers – 2-3 lbs
- Hot Dogs – 1-2 lbs
- Chicken Breasts or Thighs – 2 lbs
- Pork Chops – 1.5-2.5 lbs
- Bratwurst – 1.5-2.5 lbs
- Shrimp – 1 lb
- Veggie Burgers – 2-4 patties
A smaller barbecue gives you more flexibility if guests want different meats. Buy smaller quantities of several options.
Barbecue for 5-10 People
- Pulled Pork – 3-5 lbs
- Brisket – 4-6 lbs
- Ribs – 5-7 slabs
- Chicken Pieces – 8-12 pieces
- Burgers – 5-10 patties
- Hot Dogs/Sausages – 5-8 lbs
Moving up to a medium sized gathering, bump up quantities while still offering diverse meats. Allow 1-2 portions per person.
Barbecue for 10-25 People
- Pulled Pork – 7-10 lbs
- Brisket – 8-12 lbs
- Chicken – 12-18 lbs
- Ribs – 10-15 slabs
- Burgers – 10-15 lbs
- Hot Dogs/Sausages – 10-15 lbs
- Salmon Fillet – whole side, 6-8 lbs
For large parties, focus on crowd pleasing staples like pulled pork, chicken, and burgers. Buy ribs and brisket in smaller quantities for variety.
Barbecue for 25-50 People
- Pulled Pork – 15-20 lbs
- Brisket – 15-25 lbs
- Chicken – 25-35 lbs
- Ribs – 15-20 slabs
- Burgers – 20-30 lbs
- Hot Dogs/Sausages – 15-20 lbs
Catering to big groups requires bulk buying quantities of meat. Allow 3/4 to 1 lb per person for signature meats like pulled pork and brisket.
Barbecue for 50-100 People
- Pulled Pork – 30-40 lbs
- Brisket – 30-40 lbs
- Chicken – 40-60 lbs
- Ribs – 20-30 slabs
- Burgers – 40-50 lbs
- Hot Dogs/Sausages – 20-30 lbs
A massive backyard barbecue or a professional catering gig may serve crowds exceeding 100 guests. Plan on purchasing meat by the case. Order extra of popular options.
The pounds per person suggested for different meats allows you to estimate totals needed based on your headcount. Now let’s look at some final tips for planning barbecue quantities.
Handy Tips for Buying the Right Quantity
Cooking for a crowd always requires guesswork, but these handy tips can help you buy just the right barbecue quantities:
- Compare Prices – Check costs per pound at different grocery stores, warehouses, and meat markets. Buy in bulk for savings.
- Look For Deals – Check circulars and shop sales for the best bargains on large cuts of meat for barbecue.
- Portion Lean Cuts – Cook then slice brisket and pork shoulder well ahead so guests can take portions.
- Offer Self-Serve – Let guests build their own plates buffet style from shared dishes to prevent waste.
- Keep Extras Cold – Refrigerate or cool extra cooked meat right away if needed for later use.
- Consider Leftovers – Compare costs of overbuying versus ordering more food during the event if needed.
- Have Backup Snacks – Hot dogs, chips, and snack mixes are great to have on hand if extra food is needed.
- Monitor Supplies – Check meat levels and temperatures periodically. Refill dishes and restock as needed.
- Review for Next Event – Pay attention to which foods run out fastest and which have leftovers to adjust quantities.
With smart planning using guest counts and portion sizes as a guide, you can buy the perfect amount of barbecue supplies for your next cookout.
Frequently Asked Questions About Barbecue for a Crowd
Here are answers to some of the most common questions about calculating quantities when barbecue cooking for groups:
How much barbecue sauce should I buy?
• 12-16 oz per 3-4 lbs of meat should be enough. Always have extra sauce on hand.
Should side dishes be included in total pounds per person?
• No, side dishes and appetizers are usually calculated separately from meat. However, abundant sides like salads and sides can allow you to reduce meat quantities somewhat.
How much should I budget for a barbecue for 25 people?
• Estimate $10-15 per person, depending on menu. For 25 people, look to spend $250-375 total on food, supplies, and beverages.
What are the easiest barbecue entrees for feeding a large group?
• Hamburgers, hot dogs, and pulled pork or brisket are reliable and budget-friendly options for feeding a crowd.
How can I avoid running out of popular foods too quickly?
• Monitor supplies closely and replenish popular items like burgers often. Have a meat-carving station to portion meat more slowly.
What are the best tricks to limit food waste with a large barbecue buffet?
• Plan a self-serve buffet with shared platters instead of individual plates. Refrigerate and reuse any extras. Repurpose leftovers into casseroles or sandwiches.
In Conclusion
Estimating just the right amount of barbecue meats for your cookout guests takes some planning. But paying attention to portion sizes needed for different types of meat along with your expected headcount will help you calculate pounds per person. Add a bit extra for big appetites but avoid vast overbuying and waste. Consider budget, favorites, and versatility when choosing what proteins to feature from our suggestions. With smart shopping and these handy tips, your next barbecue spread will satisfy everyone without breaking the bank or burdening you with leftovers. The only thing left is to fire up the grill and enjoy!
Purchasing 3 lbs pork, 2 lbs of beef/chicken, 1 lb sausages, etc. per person would be a safe bet for most combination bbqs. Aim higher for those with big appetites. Factor in the side dishes, and of course, always leave room for some delicious leftovers!