How Much BBQ for 30 People? Exact Amounts by Meat
Planning a BBQ for 30 people? A mixed menu needs about 18.8 lbs (8.5 kg) of meat, about 0.63 lb per person. The table compares every common BBQ meat for 30 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 30 Guests
| Meat | Per person | Total | Count | Meat cost | Party total* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Burgers | 0.5 lbs | 15 lbs (6.8 kg) | 60 quarter-pound patties | $105 | $294 |
| Grilled Chicken | 0.6 lbs | 18 lbs (8.2 kg) | about 45 pieces | $45 | $212 |
| BBQ Ribs | 1 lb | 30 lbs (14 kg) | 15 racks of baby back ribs | $150 | $336 |
| Sausages | 0.4 lbs | 12 lbs (5.4 kg) | 60 sausage links | $60 | $249 |
| Pulled Pork | 0.5 lbs | 15 lbs (6.8 kg) | 2 pork butts | $38 | $231 |
*Party total includes meat, charcoal, buns where needed, drinks (2.5 per person), two sides and supplies.
Plan for Exactly 30 Guests
| Mixed menu (¼ each of burgers, ribs, chicken, sausages) | 18.8 lbs (8.5 kg) of meat in total |
|---|---|
| Charcoal | 15 lbs, about 1 bag of 16 lbs (more if you smoke ribs or pork) |
| Drinks | 75 cans or bottles, 2 × 48-quart coolers |
| Ice | 5 bags of 10 lbs (1.5 lbs per guest) |
| Sides | 9 lbs each of potato salad and coleslaw, 30 ears of corn |
| BBQ sauce | 3 lbs, roughly 3 × 18-oz bottles |
| Plates and napkins | 35 plates, 70 napkins |
| Helpers | 2 cooking, 1 on serving and refills |
For 30 guests, consider using 2 grills or a large-format grill. Prep all sides 1–2 days ahead. Set up a buffet-style serving area to keep the line moving.
Pick your own mix of meats, drinks, sides and sauces, and get a PDF shopping list.
Open BBQ Calculator →Gear for a 30-Person BBQ
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FAQ
How much BBQ meat for 30 people?
For 30 people plan about 18.8 lbs (8.5 kg) of meat for a mixed menu, about 0.63 lb per person. For a single meat: 15 lbs of burgers, 18 lbs of chicken, 30 lbs of ribs, or 15 lbs of raw pork butt.