How Much BBQ for 40 People? Exact Amounts by Meat
Planning a BBQ for 40 people? A mixed menu needs about 25 lbs (11 kg) of meat, about 0.63 lb per person. The table compares every common BBQ meat for 40 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 40 Guests
| Meat | Per person | Total | Count | Meat cost | Party total* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Burgers | 0.5 lbs | 20 lbs (9.1 kg) | 80 quarter-pound patties | $140 | $388 |
| Grilled Chicken | 0.6 lbs | 24 lbs (11 kg) | about 60 pieces | $60 | $280 |
| BBQ Ribs | 1 lb | 40 lbs (18 kg) | 20 racks of baby back ribs | $200 | $432 |
| Sausages | 0.4 lbs | 16 lbs (7.3 kg) | 80 sausage links | $80 | $328 |
| Pulled Pork | 0.5 lbs | 20 lbs (9.1 kg) | 3 pork butts | $50 | $289 |
*Party total includes meat, charcoal, buns where needed, drinks (2.5 per person), two sides and supplies.
Plan for Exactly 40 Guests
| Mixed menu (¼ each of burgers, ribs, chicken, sausages) | 25 lbs (11 kg) of meat in total |
|---|---|
| Charcoal | 20 lbs, about 2 bags of 16 lbs (more if you smoke ribs or pork) |
| Drinks | 100 cans or bottles, 3 × 48-quart coolers |
| Ice | 6 bags of 10 lbs (1.5 lbs per guest) |
| Sides | 12 lbs each of potato salad and coleslaw, 40 ears of corn |
| BBQ sauce | 4 lbs, roughly 4 × 18-oz bottles |
| Plates and napkins | 45 plates, 90 napkins |
| Helpers | 2 cooking, 2 on serving and refills |
For 40 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.
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FAQ
How much BBQ meat for 40 people?
For 40 people plan about 25 lbs (11 kg) of meat for a mixed menu, about 0.63 lb per person. For a single meat: 20 lbs of burgers, 24 lbs of chicken, 40 lbs of ribs, or 20 lbs of raw pork butt.