How Much BBQ for 80 People? Exact Amounts by Meat
Planning a BBQ for 80 people? A mixed menu needs about 50 lbs (23 kg) of meat, about 0.63 lb per person. The table compares every common BBQ meat for 80 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 80 Guests
| Meat | Per person | Total | Count | Meat cost | Party total* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Burgers | 0.5 lbs | 40 lbs (18 kg) | 160 quarter-pound patties | $280 | $776 |
| Grilled Chicken | 0.6 lbs | 48 lbs (22 kg) | about 120 pieces | $120 | $560 |
| BBQ Ribs | 1 lb | 80 lbs (36 kg) | 40 racks of baby back ribs | $400 | $864 |
| Sausages | 0.4 lbs | 32 lbs (15 kg) | 160 sausage links | $160 | $656 |
| Pulled Pork | 0.5 lbs | 40 lbs (18 kg) | 5 pork butts | $100 | $585 |
| Brisket | 0.6 lbs | 48 lbs (22 kg) | 4 whole packers | $264 | $718 |
| Hot Dogs | 0.2 lbs | 16 lbs (7.3 kg) | 20 packs of 8 | $80 | $576 |
| Chicken Wings | 1 lb | 80 lbs (36 kg) | about 800 pieces | $280 | $720 |
*Party total includes meat, charcoal, buns where needed, drinks (2.5 per person), two sides and supplies.
Plan for Exactly 80 Guests
| Mixed menu (¼ each of burgers, ribs, chicken, sausages) | 50 lbs (23 kg) of meat in total |
|---|---|
| Charcoal | 40 lbs, about 3 bags of 16 lbs (more if you smoke ribs or pork) |
| Drinks | 200 cans or bottles, 5 × 48-quart coolers |
| Ice | 12 bags of 10 lbs (1.5 lbs per guest) |
| Sides | 24 lbs each of potato salad and coleslaw, 80 ears of corn |
| BBQ sauce | 8 lbs, roughly 8 × 18-oz bottles |
| Plates and napkins | 85 plates, 170 napkins |
| Helpers | 3 cooking, 3 on serving and refills |
A BBQ for 80 people costs from $560 with chicken to $864 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.
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FAQ
How much BBQ meat for 80 people?
For 80 people plan about 50 lbs (23 kg) of meat for a mixed menu, about 0.63 lb per person. For a single meat: 40 lbs of burgers, 48 lbs of chicken, 80 lbs of ribs, or 40 lbs of raw pork butt.