How Much BBQ for 60 People? Exact Amounts by Meat
Planning a BBQ for 60 people? A mixed menu needs about 37.5 lbs (17 kg) of meat, about 0.63 lb per person. The table compares every common BBQ meat for 60 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 60 Guests
| Meat | Per person | Total | Count | Meat cost | Party total* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Burgers | 0.5 lbs | 30 lbs (14 kg) | 120 quarter-pound patties | $210 | $582 |
| Grilled Chicken | 0.6 lbs | 36 lbs (16 kg) | about 90 pieces | $90 | $420 |
| BBQ Ribs | 1 lb | 60 lbs (27 kg) | 30 racks of baby back ribs | $300 | $648 |
| Sausages | 0.4 lbs | 24 lbs (11 kg) | 120 sausage links | $120 | $492 |
| Pulled Pork | 0.5 lbs | 30 lbs (14 kg) | 4 pork butts | $75 | $420 |
| Brisket | 0.6 lbs | 36 lbs (16 kg) | 3 whole packers | $198 | $557 |
| Hot Dogs | 0.2 lbs | 12 lbs (5.4 kg) | 15 packs of 8 | $60 | $432 |
| Chicken Wings | 1 lb | 60 lbs (27 kg) | about 600 pieces | $210 | $540 |
*Party total includes meat, charcoal, buns where needed, drinks (2.5 per person), two sides and supplies.
Plan for Exactly 60 Guests
| Mixed menu (¼ each of burgers, ribs, chicken, sausages) | 37.5 lbs (17 kg) of meat in total |
|---|---|
| Charcoal | 30 lbs, about 2 bags of 16 lbs (more if you smoke ribs or pork) |
| Drinks | 150 cans or bottles, 4 × 48-quart coolers |
| Ice | 9 bags of 10 lbs (1.5 lbs per guest) |
| Sides | 18 lbs each of potato salad and coleslaw, 60 ears of corn |
| BBQ sauce | 6 lbs, roughly 6 × 18-oz bottles |
| Plates and napkins | 65 plates, 130 napkins |
| Helpers | 3 cooking, 2 on serving and refills |
A BBQ for 60 people costs from $420 with chicken to $648 with ribs, including drinks, two sides and charcoal. Plan it like a catering job, with several cookers and a holding plan.
Pick your own mix of meats, drinks, sides and sauces, and get a PDF shopping list.
Open BBQ Calculator →Gear for a 60-Person BBQ
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FAQ
How much BBQ meat for 60 people?
For 60 people plan about 37.5 lbs (17 kg) of meat for a mixed menu, about 0.63 lb per person. For a single meat: 30 lbs of burgers, 36 lbs of chicken, 60 lbs of ribs, or 30 lbs of raw pork butt.