Pulled Pork Calculator

Use this pulled pork calculator for estimating the amount of pulled pork per person needed for any gathering on the basis of number of guests, appetite levels, and potential leftovers.

For adults, plan for 1/3 to 1/2 pound of cooked pulled pork per person

For children under 12, estimate 1/4 pound of cooked pulled pork per child

If pulled pork is the main dish with minimal sides, aim for 3/4 pound per adult

If serving pulled pork sandwiches, expect 2-3 sandwiches per pound of cooked pulled pork

Number of Guests	Portion Size (lbs)	Shrinkage Factor	Raw Pork Needed (lbs)
5	1/4	40%	2.1
10	1/3	45%	6.1
15	1/4	40%	4.2
20	1/3	45%	12.1
25	1/4	40%	10.4
30	1/3	45%	18.2
40	1/3	45%	24.2
50	1/3	45%	30.3
60	0.25	40%	37.5
75	0.3	50%	45.0
100	1/3	45%	60.6
150	0.25	40%	62.5
200	0.3	45%	109.1
250	0.25	40%	78.1
300	0.33	50%	120.0
400	0.3	45%	182.5
500	0.25	40%	156.3

Pulled Pork Per Person Calculation Formula

The general formula for calculating pulled pork per person is:

Raw pork needed = (Number of guests × Portion size) ÷ (1 - Shrinkage factor)

Where:

Portion size typically ranges from 1/4 to 1/3 pound (4-5 ounces) per person

Shrinkage factor is usually around 40-50% (0.4-0.5)

Calculate for 20 people with a 1/3 pound portion size and 45% shrinkage:

Raw pork needed = (20 × 1/3) ÷ (1 - 0.45) ≈ 12.1 pounds

How to Calculate Pulled Pork Per Person

Estimate guest count: Include adults and children, adjusting for appetites.
Determine portion size: Usually 1/4 to 1/3 pound per adult.
Factor in shrinkage: Raw pork loses 40-50% of its weight during cooking.
Apply the formula: Use the equation mentioned above.
Round up: Always buy a little extra to account for unexpected guests or larger appetites.

For a party of 40 adults, assuming 1/3 pound portions and 45% shrinkage:

Raw pork needed = (40 × 1/3) ÷ (1 - 0.45) ≈ 24.2 pounds

Rounding up, you should purchase about 25 pounds of raw pork.

How much pulled pork for 10 adults?

You should plan to purchase about 6.1 to 6.5 pounds of raw pork to feed 10 adults comfortably.

Portion size: Typically, we aim for 1/3 pound (5-6 ounces) of pulled pork per adult.
Shrinkage: Raw pork loses about 40-50% of its weight during cooking.
Event type: Is this a main dish at a barbecue or part of a larger buffet?
Guest appetites: Consider if your guests are big eaters or if there will be other main dishes.

Raw pork needed = (Number of guests × Portion size) ÷ (1 - Shrinkage factor)

For 10 adults, assuming:

1/3 pound portion size
45% shrinkage (0.45)

Raw pork needed = (10 × 1/3) ÷ (1 - 0.45)
                = 3.33 ÷ 0.55
                ≈ 6.06 pounds

How Much Pulled Pork for 50, 75, 100, and 200 Guests

For 75 Guests

Raw pork needed = (75 × 1/3) ÷ (1 - 0.45) ≈ 45.5 pounds

Round up to 46 or 47 pounds of raw pork for 75 guests.

For 200 Guests

For larger events, you might adjust portion sizes slightly:

Raw pork needed = (200 × 0.3) ÷ (1 - 0.45) ≈ 109.1 pounds

Consider purchasing 110-115 pounds of raw pork for 200 guests.

Calculations for 100 People

For a group of 100, using our standard assumptions:

Raw pork needed = (100 × 1/3) ÷ (1 - 0.45) ≈ 60.6 pounds

Round up to 61 or 62 pounds of raw pork for 100 people.

Pulled Pork for 50 People

For a medium-sized gathering of 50:

Raw pork needed = (50 × 1/3) ÷ (1 - 0.45) ≈ 30.3 pounds

Purchase about 31 pounds of raw pork to comfortably feed 50 people.

How Many Will 15 lbs of Pulled Pork Feed?

Number of guests = (Raw pork weight × (1 - Shrinkage factor)) ÷ Portion size

For 15 lbs of raw pork, assuming 45% shrinkage and 1/3 pound portions:

Number of guests = (15 × (1 - 0.45)) ÷ (1/3) ≈ 24.75

Therefore, 15 lbs of raw pork will feed approximately 24-25 people.

Related Tools:

Pulled Pork Calculator – How Much Pulled Pork Per Person