Pounds of BBQ Per Person: Raw & Cooked Weights by Meat
The answer depends on the cut. Bone-in ribs need about 1 lb per person, while pulled pork and brisket lose close to half their weight in the smoker, so you buy far more than you serve. Burgers and sausages are close to one to one. This guide gives raw buying weights, cooked yields and a chart for 10 to 100 guests, in pounds and kilos.
Want a full shopping list for your exact guest count instead? Use the BBQ per person calculator.
BBQ Meat Per Person: Quick Answer
Buy these raw weights per adult when meat is the main course with two or three sides.
| Meat | Buy per person (raw) | Cooked per person | Weight lost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Burgers (80/20 ground beef) | 0.5 lb (0.23 kg), 2 quarter-pound patties | ~0.4 lb | ~20% |
| Chicken, bone-in thighs and drumsticks | 0.6 lb (0.27 kg), about 1.5 pieces | ~0.5 lb with bone | ~15% |
| Sausages (brats or Italian) | 0.4 lb (0.18 kg), 2 links | ~0.35 lb | ~10% |
| Ribs, bone-in (baby back) | 1 lb (0.45 kg), half a rack | ~0.75 lb with bone, ~0.5 lb meat | ~25% |
| Pulled pork (bone-in pork butt) | 0.5 lb (0.23 kg) | ~0.275 lb (125 g) | ~45% |
| Brisket (whole packer) | 0.6 lb (0.27 kg) | ~0.3 lb (135 g) | ~50% |
| Mixed platter (burgers, chicken, ribs, sausages) | about 0.63 lb (0.28 kg) in total | ~0.5 lb | varies |
Pounds Per Person by Meat
Pulled pork
Buy 0.5 lb of raw bone-in pork butt per person. During a 10–14 hour smoke it loses about 45% of its weight to rendered fat, moisture and the bone.
- 10 guests: buy 5 lbs (2.3 kg) raw, get about 2.75 lbs cooked
- 20 guests: buy 10 lbs (4.5 kg) raw, get about 5.5 lbs cooked
- 30 guests: buy 15 lbs (6.8 kg) raw, get about 8.25 lbs cooked
- 50 guests: buy 25 lbs (11 kg) raw, get about 13.75 lbs cooked
See the pulled pork guide for 30 people for butts to buy and smoke times.
Brisket
Buy about 0.6 lb of raw packer brisket per person. A whole packer (12–14 lbs) loses around half its weight during a 12–16 hour smoke once the fat is trimmed and renders out.
- 10 guests: buy about 6 lbs raw, get about 3 lbs sliced
- 20 guests: buy about 12 lbs raw (one packer), get about 6 lbs sliced
- 30 guests: buy about 18 lbs raw, get about 9 lbs sliced
- 50 guests: buy about 30 lbs raw, get about 15 lbs sliced
For 20 or fewer guests a single packer is enough. For 30 or more, plan two briskets or add a second meat.
Ribs
Plan 1 lb of bone-in ribs per person, which is half a rack of baby backs. About half the weight is bone, so each guest gets roughly half a pound of meat.
- Baby back ribs: a rack weighs about 2 lbs and feeds 2 people
- St. Louis-cut spare ribs: a rack weighs about 2.75 lbs and feeds 2–3 people
- Whole spare ribs: a rack weighs about 3.5 lbs and feeds about 3 people
Rack counts for every party size are in the ribs for 20 people guide and its neighbours.
Chicken
Buy 0.6 lb of bone-in chicken per person, about one thigh and one drumstick. Chicken loses the least weight of any BBQ meat. For boneless skinless breasts, 0.5 lb per person is enough. For cooking methods, see the BBQ chicken guide.
Burgers and sausages
Burgers need 0.5 lb of ground beef per person, two quarter-pound patties. Sausages need 0.4 lb per person, which is 2 brats or Italian links at about 5 per pound. Standard hot dogs are lighter, 8–10 per pound, so 2 hot dogs is only about 0.2 lb.
Portion Chart: 10 to 100 Guests
Raw weight to buy, in pounds with kilos in brackets.
| Guests | Burgers | Chicken | Sausages | Ribs | Pulled pork | Brisket | Mixed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 5 (2.3) | 6 (2.7) | 4 (1.8) | 10 (4.5) | 5 (2.3) | 6 (2.7) | 6.5 (2.9) |
| 15 | 7.5 (3.4) | 9 (4.1) | 6 (2.7) | 15 (6.8) | 7.5 (3.4) | 9 (4.1) | 9.8 (4.4) |
| 20 | 10 (4.5) | 12 (5.4) | 8 (3.6) | 20 (9.1) | 10 (4.5) | 12 (5.4) | 13 (5.9) |
| 25 | 12.5 (5.7) | 15 (6.8) | 10 (4.5) | 25 (11) | 12.5 (5.7) | 15 (6.8) | 16.2 (7.4) |
| 30 | 15 (6.8) | 18 (8.2) | 12 (5.4) | 30 (14) | 15 (6.8) | 18 (8.2) | 19.5 (8.8) |
| 40 | 20 (9.1) | 24 (11) | 16 (7.3) | 40 (18) | 20 (9.1) | 24 (11) | 26 (12) |
| 50 | 25 (11) | 30 (14) | 20 (9.1) | 50 (23) | 25 (11) | 30 (14) | 32.5 (15) |
| 75 | 37.5 (17) | 45 (20) | 30 (14) | 75 (34) | 37.5 (17) | 45 (20) | 48.8 (22) |
| 100 | 50 (23) | 60 (27) | 40 (18) | 100 (45) | 50 (23) | 60 (27) | 65 (29) |
Click a guest count for every meat at that size, or browse the quantity guides by party size.
Need exact quantities with drinks, sides, sauces and a cost breakdown?
Open BBQ Calculator →Meat Cost Per Person
Planning prices checked Oct 2026 from BLS and USDA retail price data; see methodology. Prices vary by region and store.
| Meat | $/lb | Per person | 25 guests | 50 guests |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Burgers | $7.00 | $3.50 | $88 | $175 |
| Chicken | $2.50 | $1.50 | $38 | $75 |
| Sausages | $5.00 | $2.00 | $50 | $100 |
| Ribs | $5.00 | $5.00 | $125 | $250 |
| Pulled pork (raw butt) | $2.50 | $1.25 | $31 | $62 |
| Brisket (raw packer) | $5.50 | $3.30 | $82 | $165 |
| Mixed platter | — | $3.00 | $75 | $150 |
These are meat costs only. With charcoal, drinks, two sides and supplies, most BBQs land between $7 and $12 per guest. The BBQ calculator shows the full breakdown.
When to Adjust Portions
Reduce by 15–20% if:
- You serve substantial appetizers before the main course
- There are more than 3 side dishes
- Many guests are young children or light eaters
- You also offer vegetarian or vegan mains
Increase by 10–15% if:
- The crowd is mostly adults with big appetites
- The BBQ is the only meal of the day
- The event runs 4+ hours with several eating rounds
- You serve only one side dish or none
For a self-serve buffet at a large event, see the BBQ catering portions guide.
Don't Forget the Rest
| Item | Per person | 50 guests |
|---|---|---|
| Charcoal for grilling | 0.5 lb (0.23 kg) | 25 lbs (11 kg) |
| Buns | 1 per patty, link or sandwich | 100 for 2 burgers each |
| Drinks (3-hour party) | 2.5 | 125 |
| Ice | 1.5 lbs | 8 bags of 10 lbs |
| Side dishes (each) | 0.3 lb (135 g) | 15 lbs (7 kg) |
| BBQ sauce | 0.1 lb (45 g) | 5 lbs |
| Plates and napkins | 1 plate + 2 napkins | 55 + 110 |
Side dish amounts and recipes are in the BBQ side dishes guide. Hosting a simple burgers-and-hot-dogs party? The cookout calculator is quicker.
Food Safety Temperatures
- Burgers: 160°F internal
- Chicken: 165°F, no exceptions
- Pork ribs and pork butt: safe at 145°F with a 3-minute rest, but cooked to 195–205°F for tenderness
- Steak: see the steak temperature chart
- Don't leave cooked meat out more than 2 hours, or 1 hour above 90°F (USDA)
FAQ
How many pounds of BBQ per person?
Plan 0.5 lb (0.23 kg) of burgers, 0.6 lb (0.27 kg) of bone-in chicken, 0.4 lb (0.18 kg) of sausages (2 brats), or 1 lb (0.45 kg) of bone-in ribs per person. A mixed platter averages about 0.63 lb (0.28 kg) per person.
How many pounds of pulled pork per person?
Buy 0.5 lb (0.23 kg) of raw bone-in pork butt per guest. It loses about 45% while smoking, which leaves roughly 0.275 lb (125 g) of pulled pork, enough for a generous sandwich.
How much brisket per person?
Buy about 0.6 lb (0.27 kg) of raw packer brisket per guest. Brisket loses roughly half its weight during a long smoke, so that yields about 0.3 lb (135 g) of sliced brisket. One 12–14 lb packer feeds about 20 people.
How many ribs per person?
Plan 1 lb (0.45 kg) of bone-in ribs per guest, which is half of a 2 lb baby back rack. About half that weight is bone.
How much BBQ for 50 people?
For 50 guests buy 25 lbs (11 kg) of burgers, 30 lbs (14 kg) of chicken, 20 lbs (9 kg) of sausages, 50 lbs (23 kg) of ribs, or 25 lbs (11 kg) of raw pork butt. A mixed menu needs about 32.5 lbs (15 kg).
Should I buy more than the chart says?
Add about 10% for parties over 20 guests to cover big appetites. The per-person amount does not change with group size. Leftover smoked meat freezes well for up to 3 months.
Related: BBQ Catering Portions Guide · BBQ Side Dishes · Quantity Guides by Party Size
Tools for Accurate BBQ Portioning
Recommended gear for this topic. Links go to Amazon. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
🛒 MEATER Plus Wireless Meat Thermometer
Wireless probe with 165ft range, monitors internal temp so you pull meat at exactly the right weight.
Check Price on Amazon →🛒 OXO Stainless Steel Kitchen Scale (11 lb)
Precision portioning for large BBQs — weigh raw meat so quantities match your shopping list.
Check Price on Amazon →🛒 Reynolds Kitchens Butcher Paper (150 ft)
Wrap brisket and pulled pork for the Texas crutch — keeps moisture in without steaming.
Check Price on Amazon →