How Much Brisket for 30 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 30 people you need 18 lbs (8.2 kg) of raw packer brisket (2 whole packers · about 9 lbs cooked), about $273 for the whole party with drinks, sides and charcoal. Plan a second set of hands at the grill and set the food out buffet-style.
Raw vs Cooked Brisket for 30 People
| Per person | For 30 guests | Metric | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Raw whole packer to buy | 0.6 lb | 18 lbs | 8.2 kg |
| Cooked, sliced brisket | about 4.8 oz | 9 lbs | 4.1 kg |
| One small brisket or a flat | — | 2 × about 9 lbs | 4.1 kg each |
| Flat only (if you buy flats) | — | about 15 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 30 Guests
| Cooker space | 2 packers: one large pellet grill or offset |
|---|---|
| Cook time | about 9 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 11 hours before serving, usually the night before |
| Butcher paper | about 8 ft to wrap each brisket once |
| Thawing if frozen | 2 days in the fridge (USDA: about 1 day per 4–5 lbs) |
| Holding pans | 2 half-size foil pans with lids for about 9 lbs of cooked meat |
| Drinks cooler | 2 × 48-quart coolers for 75 cans, plus 5 × 10-lb bags of ice |
| Serving help | 2 cooking, 1 on serving and refills |
Complete Shopping List for 30
| Item | Quantity | Est. cost |
|---|---|---|
| Brisket (whole packer brisket, raw weight) | 18 lbs (8.2 kg) | $99 |
| Charcoal for a long smoke | 20 lbs (2 bags of 16 lbs) | $30 |
| Drinks, mixed (2.5 per person) | 75 | $83 |
| Potato salad (0.3 lb per person) | 9 lbs (4.1 kg) | $23 |
| Coleslaw (0.3 lb per person) | 9 lbs (4.1 kg) | $23 |
| Plates, napkins, cutlery, condiments | 35 plates, 70 napkins | $15 |
| Estimated total | $9.10 per guest | $273 |
Cooked yield: about 9 lbs (4.1 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 30 |
|---|---|---|
| Main dish, no other meats | ×1 | 18 lbs (8.2 kg) |
| Served with one other meat | ×0.6 | 10.8 lbs (4.9 kg) |
| Served with two other meats | ×0.4 | 7.2 lbs (3.3 kg) |
| Self-serve buffet | ×1.2 | 21.5 lbs (9.8 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?
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How much brisket for 30 people?
Buy about 18 lbs (8.2 kg) of raw packer brisket for 30 people, which cooks down to about 9 lbs of sliced meat, roughly 4.8 oz per person.
How many briskets for 30 people?
2 whole packer briskets of about 9 lbs each. One 13 lb packer feeds about 20 people as the only meat.
What does brisket for 30 people cost?
The meat costs about $99 at average US grocery prices ($5.50/lb). With charcoal, drinks, two sides and supplies, budget about $273 in total, or $9.10 per guest.