BBQ Calculator – How Much Meat Per Person For BBQ

Try our bbq calculator for planning your next outdoor grilling extravaganza, it helps you determine the optimal quantity of meat needed per person to satisfy your guests without overbuying or running short.

For example, if you’re hosting a barbecue for 10 people and plan to serve beef brisket, the calculator suggest approximately 5-7 pounds of raw meat. This accounts for shrinkage during cooking and ensures each guest receives a generous portion.

• Burgers: ⅓ to ½ pound (1 burger or 2 if light sides)
• Hot Dogs: 2 footlongs or 3 regular-sized
• Beef Brisket: ½ pound cooked (1 pound raw)
• Steak: 8 ounces boneless (12 ounces bone-in)
• Ribs: 3 ribs per person
• Fish: 8 ounces cooked (11.4 ounces raw)
• Lamb: 2 to 4 ounces per chop

BBQ Calculator

Event Type	Guests	Meat Type	Raw Quantity	Cooked Yield	Per Person
Casual BBQ	10	Burgers	3.75 lbs	2.8 lbs	4.5 oz
Family Reunion	30	Pulled Pork	12 lbs	9 lbs	4.8 oz
Block Party	50	Mixed Grill	25 lbs	18.75 lbs	6 oz
Wedding	100	Brisket	62.5 lbs	46.875 lbs	7.5 oz
Office Picnic	40	Chicken	20 lbs	15 lbs	6 oz
Graduation Party	25	Hot Dogs	6.25 lbs	4.7 lbs	5 oz
Backyard BBQ	15	Ribs	11.25 lbs	8.4 lbs	8 oz
Tailgate Party	20	Sausages	10 lbs	7.5 lbs	6 oz
Neighborhood Cookout	35	Mixed Grill	17.5 lbs	13.1 lbs	5.5 oz
Birthday Bash	45	Burgers	11.25 lbs	8.4 lbs	5 oz
Retirement Party	60	Brisket	37.5 lbs	28.1 lbs	7 oz
Camping Trip	8	Chicken	4 lbs	3 lbs	6 oz
Picnic in the Park	18	Hot Dogs	4.5 lbs	3.4 lbs	5.5 oz
Potluck BBQ	28	Pulled Pork	9.3 lbs	7 lbs	4 oz

BBQ Meat Calculation Formula

The basic formula for calculating BBQ meat portions is:

Total meat needed = Number of guests × Meat per person

• Type of meat: Different meats have different yields after cooking.
• Bone-in vs. boneless: Bone-in cuts require more raw weight per serving.
• Guest demographics: Adults typically eat more than children.
• Event duration: Longer events may require more food.
• Side dishes: Abundant sides can reduce meat consumption.

A more comprehensive formula might look like this:

Total meat needed = (Number of adults × Adult portion) + (Number of children × Child portion) × Cooking loss factor

Let’s calculate for a mixed group of 20 adults and 10 children, serving bone-in chicken:

• Adult portion: 8 oz
• Child portion: 4 oz
• Cooking loss factor for bone-in chicken: 1.5

Total meat needed = (20 × 8 oz) + (10 × 4 oz) × 1.5
                  = (160 oz + 40 oz) × 1.5
                  = 200 oz × 1.5
                  = 300 oz (or **18.75 lbs**)

How to Calculate How Much Meat Per Person for BBQ?

• Check your guest list: Count adults and children separately.
• Choose your meat: Different meats have different serving sizes.
• Consider the event type: Casual gatherings may require less than formal events.
• Account for cooking losses: Raw meat shrinks during cooking.
• Factor in side dishes: More sides mean less meat per person.

Calculation for a casual BBQ with 15 adults, serving burgers:

• Standard burger portion: 4-6 oz raw per person
• Cooking loss: About 25% for ground beef
• Calculation: 15 people × 5 oz × 1.25 (cooking loss factor) = 93.75 oz (≈ 5.9 lbs)

You’d need about 6 pounds of ground beef to make burgers for 15 adults.

How Much Barbecue Food for 50 People?

• Main meats:
  • Burgers: 12-15 lbs (1/4 lb per person)
  • Hot dogs: 100 (2 per person)
  • Chicken: 25-30 lbs (1/2 lb per person)
  • Pulled pork: 15-20 lbs (1/3 lb per person)
• Side dishes:
  • Potato salad: 12-15 lbs
  • Coleslaw: 10-12 lbs
  • Baked beans: 12-15 lbs
• Buns and condiments:
  • 60 burger buns
  • 100 hot dog buns
  • Assorted sauces and toppings

How Much Barbecue Meat for 25 People?

For a BBQ serving 25 people, here’s a suggested meat quantity:

• Mixed grill option:
  • Burgers: 6-7 lbs (1/4 lb per person)
  • Chicken: 8-10 lbs (1/3 lb per person)
  • Ribs: 8-10 lbs (1/3 lb per person)
• Single meat option:
  • Brisket: 12-15 lbs (1/2 lb per person)
  • Pulled pork: 8-10 lbs (1/3 lb per person)

How Many Pounds of BBQ Do I Need to Feed 20 People?

To feed 20 people at a BBQ, consider the following meat quantities:

• Burgers and hot dogs:
  • Ground beef: 5-6 lbs (1/4 lb per person)
  • Hot dogs: 40 (2 per person)
• Chicken:
  • Bone-in pieces: 10-12 lbs (1/2 lb per person)
  • Boneless breasts: 7-8 lbs (1/3 lb per person)
• Pork:
  • Ribs: 7-8 lbs (1/3 lb per person)
  • Pulled pork: 6-7 lbs (1/3 lb per person)
• Beef:
  • Brisket: 10-12 lbs (1/2 lb per person)
  • Steak: 8-10 lbs (1/2 lb per person)

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