How Much Brisket for 10 People (Raw & Cooked)
Prices checked Oct 2026, average US grocery prices. Portions follow common catering rules of thumb; safe temperatures follow USDA. How we calculate
For 10 people you need 6 lbs (2.7 kg) of raw packer brisket (1 whole packer · about 3 lbs cooked), about $105 for the whole party with drinks, sides and charcoal. At this size one cook and one grill are enough; prep everything the day before.
Raw vs Cooked Brisket for 10 People
| Per person | For 10 guests | Metric | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Raw whole packer to buy | 0.6 lb | 6 lbs | 2.7 kg |
| Cooked, sliced brisket | about 4.8 oz | 3 lbs | 1.4 kg |
| One small brisket or a flat | — | 1 × about 6 lbs | 2.7 kg each |
| Flat only (if you buy flats) | — | about 5 lbs raw flat | flats yield about 60% |
Buy by raw weight. If brisket is one of two meats, 0.4 lb raw per person is enough; trimmed flats cook faster but dry out more easily than whole packers.
Plan for Exactly 10 Guests
| Cooker space | 1 packer: one large pellet grill or offset |
|---|---|
| Cook time | about 6 hours at 250°F per brisket (time depends on each brisket, not on how many), plus a 1–2 hour rest |
| Start time | start about 8 hours before serving, usually the night before |
| Butcher paper | about 4 ft to wrap each brisket once |
| Thawing if frozen | 2 days in the fridge (USDA: about 1 day per 4–5 lbs) |
| Holding pans | 1 half-size foil pans with lids for about 3 lbs of cooked meat |
| Drinks cooler | 1 × 48-quart cooler for 25 cans, plus 2 × 10-lb bags of ice |
| Serving help | 1 person cooking, 1 on the table |
Complete Shopping List for 10
| Item | Quantity | Est. cost |
|---|---|---|
| Brisket (whole packer brisket, raw weight) | 6 lbs (2.7 kg) | $33 |
| Charcoal for a long smoke | 15.5 lbs (1 bag of 16 lbs) | $23 |
| Drinks, mixed (2.5 per person) | 25 | $28 |
| Potato salad (0.3 lb per person) | 3 lbs (1.4 kg) | $8 |
| Coleslaw (0.3 lb per person) | 3 lbs (1.4 kg) | $8 |
| Plates, napkins, cutlery, condiments | 15 plates, 30 napkins | $5 |
| Estimated total | $10.50 per guest | $105 |
Cooked yield: about 3 lbs (1.4 kg) of sliced brisket. A packer loses about half its raw weight to trimming, fat and moisture.
Gear for This Cook
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Adjust for Your Crowd
The numbers above assume adults with brisket as the main dish and two sides. Scale them for your event:
| Situation | Multiplier | Brisket for 10 |
|---|---|---|
| Main dish, no other meats | ×1 | 6 lbs (2.7 kg) |
| Served with one other meat | ×0.6 | 3.6 lbs (1.6 kg) |
| About half the guests are kids under 12 | ×0.75 | 4.5 lbs (2.0 kg) |
| Big eaters or an all-day event | ×1.25 | 7.5 lbs (3.4 kg) |
Cooking Details
Target temperature: about 203°F and probe-tender (safe from 145°F for whole cuts, after a 3-minute rest)
Cook time: about 1 hour per pound at 250°F, plus a 1–2 hour rest
Food safety: don't leave cooked meat out more than 2 hours, or 1 hour above 90°F (USDA). Keep hot food above 140°F.
Want to change drinks, sides and sauces, or download a PDF shopping list?
Open Full BBQ Calculator →FAQ
How much brisket for 10 people?
Buy about 6 lbs (2.7 kg) of raw packer brisket for 10 people, which cooks down to about 3 lbs of sliced meat, roughly 4.8 oz per person.
How many briskets for 10 people?
1 whole packer brisket of about 6 lbs each. One 13 lb packer feeds about 20 people as the only meat.
What does brisket for 10 people cost?
The meat costs about $33 at average US grocery prices ($5.50/lb). With charcoal, drinks, two sides and supplies, budget about $105 in total, or $10.50 per guest.