How Much Brisket for 50 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 50 people you need 30 lbs (14 kg) of raw packer brisket (3 whole packers · about 15 lbs cooked), about $469 for the whole party with drinks, sides and charcoal. Treat it like a catering job: two cooks, a holding plan for cooked food and a written timeline.
Raw vs Cooked Brisket for 50 People
| Per person | For 50 guests | Metric | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Raw whole packer to buy | 0.6 lb | 30 lbs | 14 kg |
| Cooked, sliced brisket | about 4.8 oz | 15 lbs | 6.8 kg |
| Whole packers (about 13 lb) | — | 3 × about 10 lbs | 4.5 kg each |
| Flat only (if you buy flats) | — | about 25 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 50 Guests
| Cooker space | 3 packers: 2 large offset or pellet grills (about 2 packers each) |
|---|---|
| Cook time | about 10 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 12 hours before serving, usually the night before |
| Butcher paper | about 12 ft to wrap each brisket once |
| Thawing if frozen | 2 days in the fridge (USDA: about 1 day per 4–5 lbs) |
| Holding pans | 3 half-size foil pans with lids for about 15 lbs of cooked meat |
| Drinks cooler | 3 × 48-quart coolers for 125 cans, plus 8 × 10-lb bags of ice |
| Serving help | 2 cooking, 2 on serving and refills |
Complete Shopping List for 50
| Item | Quantity | Est. cost |
|---|---|---|
| Brisket (whole packer brisket, raw weight) | 30 lbs (14 kg) | $165 |
| Charcoal for a long smoke | 43 lbs (3 bags of 16 lbs) | $65 |
| Drinks, mixed (2.5 per person) | 125 | $138 |
| Potato salad (0.3 lb per person) | 15 lbs (6.8 kg) | $38 |
| Coleslaw (0.3 lb per person) | 15 lbs (6.8 kg) | $38 |
| Plates, napkins, cutlery, condiments | 55 plates, 110 napkins | $25 |
| Estimated total | $9.38 per guest | $469 |
Cooked yield: about 15 lbs (6.8 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 50 |
|---|---|---|
| Main dish, no other meats | ×1 | 30 lbs (14 kg) |
| Served with one other meat | ×0.6 | 18 lbs (8.2 kg) |
| Served with two other meats | ×0.4 | 12 lbs (5.4 kg) |
| Self-serve buffet | ×1.2 | 36 lbs (16 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 50 people?
Buy about 30 lbs (14 kg) of raw packer brisket for 50 people, which cooks down to about 15 lbs of sliced meat, roughly 4.8 oz per person.
How many briskets for 50 people?
3 whole packer briskets of about 10 lbs each. One 13 lb packer feeds about 20 people as the only meat.
What does brisket for 50 people cost?
The meat costs about $165 at average US grocery prices ($5.50/lb). With charcoal, drinks, two sides and supplies, budget about $469 in total, or $9.38 per guest.