Planning a barbecue can be tricky when trying to figure out how much meat to buy. The amount of meat needed depends on the number of guests, the types of meat being served, and appetites. Here is a guide to help determine how many pounds of meat per person you should plan for a barbecue.
Introduction
When hosting a barbecue, one of the most important details to get right is how much meat to have on hand. You want to make sure you buy enough so everyone can get their fill, but not so much that you end up with a lot of expensive leftovers. Finding the right balance comes down to considering a few key factors:
Number of Guests
The number of people you plan to feed is the starting point for meat calculations. Are you hosting a small gathering of 6-8 close friends or a big bash with 25+ guests? The more people, the more meat you’ll need.
Types of Meat
What cuts and varieties of meat will you serve? Grilled chicken and hamburgers stretch further than steaks. And don’t forget about vegetarians! Having meatless options like veggie burgers reduces how much meat is needed per person.
Appetites
Consider if you’ll be feeding any groups with extra hearty appetites, like teens, athletes, or manual laborers. These guests may consume double a “normal” portion.
With these factors in mind, let’s look at some recommendations for how many pounds of the most popular BBQ meats to buy per person.
How Much BBQ Meat Per Person
As a general guideline, plan for 1/3 to 1⁄2 pound of meat per person for a standard barbecue side dish serving. For a heartier, standalone meal-sized serving, allow 3/4 to 1 pound per person. Use these estimates as a starting point and adjust up or down depending on your specific guest list and menu.
Hamburgers
- 1/4 pound (raw weight) per burger patty
- Allow 2-3 patties per person
- So 1/2 to 3/4 lbs per person
A variety of small and large appetites? Offer some single and some double patty burgers. Vegetarian? Have a veggie burger option to reduce meat needs.
Hot Dogs
- Standard hot dogs are about 1/4 pound each
- Estimate 2-3 hot dogs per adult
- 1-2 hot dogs for smaller kids
- So 1/2 to 3/4 lbs per adult, 1/4 to 1/2 lbs per child
Buy a few extra dogs since people tend to grab more than planned! Extras can become sandwiches the next day.
Chicken Pieces
- Breasts or wings average 1/4 to 1/3 pound each
- Thighs and legs average 1/2 to 3/4 pound each
- Allow 2-3 pieces per person
- So 3/4 to 1 pound per person
Going boneless? 4-6 tenders or strips per person. Mix up white and dark meat to please all preferences.
Ribs
- Average rib slab weights:
- Baby back ribs 2-2.5 lbs
- St. Louis cut 2-3 lbs
- Beef ribs 3-4 lbs
- Estimate 1⁄2 to 1 slab per person
- So around 1-1 1/2 pounds per person
Ribs fill people up! For big rib lovers, get extra slabs. Provide wet wipes for messy hands and faces.
Steaks
- Steak weights vary by cut:
- Tenderloin 6-12 oz
- Strip, ribeye, T-bone 8-16 oz
- Flank, skirt 6-8 oz
- Allow 1 steak per person
- So 3/4 to 1 1/2 pounds per person
For appetizers, get large 2+ pound steaks to slice and share. Ask guests their doneness preferences. Grill veggies for non-meat eaters.
Kebabs
- Meat cubes about 2 oz each
- Skewer 3-4 cubes per kebab
- 2-3 kebabs per person
- So around 3/4 pound per person
Vary meats and veggies for colorful variety. Beef, chicken, shrimp and halloumi are great on kebabs. Serve with tzatziki!
Sausages
- Average sausage is 3-5 oz raw
- Estimate 2-3 sausages per adult
- 1-2 per child
- So 3/4 to 1 1/2 pounds per adult Include a vegetarian sausage option. Slice larger sausages in half before grilling. Brats, chorizo, linguica, all grill up tasty.
Ribs and Chicken Combo
- Half chicken (1-1 1/2 lbs)
- Half slab ribs (1-1 1/2 lbs)
- So 2-3 pounds per person
A hearty combo platter! Allow 3/4 lb total for lighter eaters, up to 2 lbs for big appetite guests.
Burger Bar
- 1/3 pound patties
- Buns, cheese, veggie burger
- Hot dogs, sausages
- Around 1 pound meat per person
Self-serve sides allow customization. Have bacon, mushrooms, grilled onions as burger topping options. Satisfies all preferences!
Handy Portion Sizes
For simplified BBQ planning, here are some handy meat portion size estimates:
- 1/3 pound per person – Light side dish (Kebabs, sausages)
- 1/2 pound per person – Standard side dish (burgers, dogs)
- 3/4 pound per person – Hearty side dish (ribs, chicken)
- 1 pound per person – Abundant meal-sized portions (combo platters)
- 1 1/2 pounds per person – Very generous portions (heavy eaters, leftovers)
Remember, these are total amounts including bone weight so actual consumed meat will be less. And allow for some extras in case unexpected guests show up hungry!
Tips for Shopping and Budgeting
Use these tips to buy the right BBQ meat quantities without overspending:
- Check sales ads and stock up when favorite meats are discounted.
- Buy family packs or bulk quantities and freeze extra until needed.
- See if you qualify for warehouse club membership for big bulk meat deals.
- Purchase from warehouse outlets like Restaurant Depot if available in your area.
- Plan a mix of lower cost meats like hot dogs and higher cost cuts for variety.
- Allow 6-8 ounces finished cooked weight per person as an average serving size goal.
- Keep extra buns, rolls, and sides on hand in case you need to stretch quantities.
- Utilize leftovers for tacos, stir fries, sandwiches, omelets, and casseroles after.
Having the right total pounds of meat for your barbecue ensures everyone can eat their fill of delicious grilled goodness without breaking your budget. Use these handy estimates as a planning starting point and tweak as needed to suit your event. Happy grilling!
Frequently Asked Questions About BBQ Meat Servings
Still unsure about how much meat you need? Here are answers to some common questions about planning barbecue meat quantities:
How much BBQ meat should I have for 20 guests?
For 20 adults plan on 20-30 pounds total. Get 8-10 pounds burgers, 10 pounds chicken, 2 slabs ribs. Add 4 pounds for kids if any attending. Have at least 15-20% extra as backup.
Should I get 1/3 lb, 1/2 lb, or 1 lb burgers for a BBQ?
1/3 pound burgers suffice as a side dish while 1/2 pound burgers make a more filling meal. Offer some of each to satisfy all appetites. Go up to 3/4 or 1 pound burgers for extra hungry teenagers or manual laborers.
How many chicken breasts are needed for BBQ for 30 people?
For 30 adults having chicken as a side, estimate 45-60 breasts allowing 1-2 per person. About 15 pounds total. For main dish portions allow 3-4 breasts each, so 90-120 total.
How much steak is needed per person at a BBQ?
As a hearty main course, allow 1 pound steak per person, such as a 12-16 oz T-bone or ribeye. Offer a mix of cuts to suit budgets. Allow 12-16 oz finished cooked weight as an average goal per person.
Should I get baby back or St. Louis ribs for a BBQ?
Both are good choices. St. Louis style ribs tend to have more meat, while baby backs are more tender. Figure 1/2 to 1 full slab per rib lover. And allow some extra racks in case you run short.
How many pounds of pulled pork for 30 people?
Estimate 1/3 to 1/2 pound finished pulled pork per person. So for 30 people, have 10-15 pounds cooked weight ready. With raw pork shoulder, get at least 15-20 pounds for shrinkage and bone loss.
How much sausage is needed per person for a cookout?
Plan on at least 2-3 average sized raw sausages (3-4 oz each) per adult. So figure 3/4 to 1 pound total per person as a hearty sausage main or side dish option. Have veggie sausage too.
How much BBQ meat should I get for 50 people?
For 50 guests, have around 40-50 pounds total. Get 15 lbs burgers, 15 lbs chicken, 10 lbs ribs, 10 lbs hot dogs and sausages. Add sides like baked beans, coleslaw, veggies, rolls. And allow for some no-shows and extra appetites.
Grilling Tips for Different Meats
Now that you’ve got your meat quantities figured out, here are some tips to grill them just right:
Burgers
- Form loosely packed patties slightly larger than the bun.
- Use your thumb to make an indent to prevent puffing up.
- Grill 4-7 minutes per side for medium doneness.
- Offer cheese slices to melt on patties the last 1-2 minutes.
Hot Dogs
- Use low direct heat or indirect heat.
- Cut diagonal slashes down the length before grilling.
- Cook 4-6 minutes, turning to evenly brown.
Chicken Pieces
- Skinless white meat needs medium heat, 15-20 minutes.
- Bone-in parts, especially thighs, do well slower over low heat, 30-40 minutes.
- Baste pieces with sauce glaze the last 5-10 minutes.
Steaks
- Pat steaks dry and allow to sit at room temperature 30 minutes before grilling.
- Sear over high heat 2-4 minutes per side.
- Finish indirect heat at lower temp until desired doneness.
- Let rest 5 minutes before slicing.
Kebabs
- Soak bamboo skewers before using to prevent burning.
- Cut pieces to uniform size so food cooks evenly.
- Grill kebabs uncovered, turning occasionally, 15-20 minutes.
Ribs
- Remove membrane from back of racks.
- Season generously with dry and/or wet rub.
- Cook indirect heat low and slow, rotating every 30-60 minutes.
- Allow at least 1 1/2 – 2 hours for baby backs, 4+ hours for big beef ribs.
Sausages
- Choose precooked sausages to simply heat through, or raw to cook from scratch.
- Boil brats and Italian sausage in beer, wine or broth before grilling.
- Cook lower fat sausages like kielbasa over indirect heat to avoid flare ups.
With these BBQ grilling tips, your perfectly planned meat quantities will cook up mouthwatering good on the barbecue for your event!
Conclusion
Determining the right amount of meat for a BBQ comes down to balancing having enough for hearty portions against potential waste and cost. Take into account the number of guests, types of meat, and appetites when planning quantities.
As a general rule of thumb:
- Plan for 1/3 to 1⁄2 pound of meat per person as a side dish.
- Allow 3/4 to 1 pound or more per person for a standalone meal.
- Estimate 1-1 1/2 pounds total for hearty combo platters.
- Shop sales and buy in bulk or family packs to save money when buying large barbecue quantities.
- Skew toward having extras rather than running short to make sure everyone gets fed.
With the handy portion guidelines, budget tips, and grilling pointers covered here, you are ready to perfectly plan out and prepare the meats for your next fantastic barbecue! Fire up that grill, and enjoy!