How Much BBQ for 20 People? Exact Amounts by Meat
Planning a BBQ for 20 people? A mixed menu needs about 12.5 lbs (5.7 kg) of meat, about 0.63 lb per person. The table compares every common BBQ meat for 20 guests, with drinks, sides, charcoal and supplies included in the totals.
Prices checked Oct 2026, average US grocery prices. Portions follow common catering rules of thumb; safe temperatures follow USDA. How we calculate
Meat Comparison for 20 Guests
| Meat | Per person | Total | Count | Meat cost | Party total* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Burgers | 0.5 lbs | 10 lbs (4.5 kg) | 40 quarter-pound patties | $70 | $194 |
| Grilled Chicken | 0.6 lbs | 12 lbs (5.4 kg) | about 30 pieces | $30 | $140 |
| BBQ Ribs | 1 lb | 20 lbs (9.1 kg) | 10 racks of baby back ribs | $100 | $258 |
| Sausages | 0.4 lbs | 8 lbs (3.6 kg) | 40 sausage links | $40 | $164 |
| Pulled Pork | 0.5 lbs | 10 lbs (4.5 kg) | 2 pork butts | $25 | $156 |
*Party total includes meat, charcoal, buns where needed, drinks (2.5 per person), two sides and supplies.
Plan for Exactly 20 Guests
| Mixed menu (¼ each of burgers, ribs, chicken, sausages) | 12.5 lbs (5.7 kg) of meat in total |
|---|---|
| Charcoal | 10 lbs, about 1 bag of 16 lbs (more if you smoke ribs or pork) |
| Drinks | 50 cans or bottles, 2 × 48-quart coolers |
| Ice | 3 bags of 10 lbs (1.5 lbs per guest) |
| Sides | 6 lbs each of potato salad and coleslaw, 20 ears of corn |
| BBQ sauce | 2 lbs, roughly 2 × 18-oz bottles |
| Plates and napkins | 25 plates, 50 napkins |
| Helpers | 1 person cooking |
A party of 20 is a manageable backyard BBQ. A single standard grill handles this size easily. Prep sides the day before and you can focus on grilling the day of.
Pick your own mix of meats, drinks, sides and sauces, and get a PDF shopping list.
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FAQ
How much BBQ meat for 20 people?
For 20 people plan about 12.5 lbs (5.7 kg) of meat for a mixed menu, about 0.63 lb per person. For a single meat: 10 lbs of burgers, 12 lbs of chicken, 20 lbs of ribs, or 10 lbs of raw pork butt.