How Many Hamburgers and Hot Dogs for 50 People
Prices checked Oct 2026, average US grocery prices. Portions follow common catering rules of thumb; safe temperatures follow USDA. How we calculate
A 50-person burger cookout runs best with three grills and an assembly-line setup: one person managing each grill, one person running a tray between grill and assembly table, one person assembling. Pre-portion 100 patties into stacks of 10 with parchment paper the night before so grill loading is fast and clean.
Hamburgers and Hot Dogs for 50 People
| Menu | Per person | For 50 guests | To buy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Burgers only, ¼-lb patties | 2 patties | 100 patties | 25 lbs beef (11 kg), 13 bun packs |
| Burgers only, â…“-lb patties | 1.5 patties | 75 patties | 25 lbs beef, 10 bun packs |
| Burgers + hot dogs | 1.2 burgers + 0.8 hot dogs | 60 burgers, 40 hot dogs | 15 lbs beef, 5 packs of 8 hot dogs |
When hot dogs are on the grill too, most guests take one of each, so you need fewer burgers. Kids lean toward hot dogs.
Plan for Exactly 50 Guests
| Grill loads | 8 loads of about 13 patties on a 22-inch kettle, 12 minutes each |
|---|---|
| Grills to serve in ~45 min | 3 kettle-size grills, or one large gas grill or griddle |
| Ground beef to buy | about 9 family packs of 3 lbs (80/20 for juicy burgers) |
| Prep | form patties the night before, stacked 10 high with parchment between them |
| Holding pans | 4 half-size foil pans with lids for about 19 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Burgers (quarter-pound beef patties) | 25 lbs (11 kg) | $175 |
| Charcoal | 25 lbs (2 bags of 16 lbs) | $38 |
| Buns, one per patty | 100 (13 packs of 8) | $36 |
| 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 | $9.76 per guest | $488 |
Patties: 100 quarter-pound patties, 4 per pound of ground beef.
Gear for This Cook
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
Adjust for Your Crowd
The numbers above assume adults with burgers as the main dish and two sides. Scale them for your event:
| Situation | Multiplier | Burgers for 50 |
|---|---|---|
| Main dish, no other meats | ×1 | 25 lbs (11 kg) |
| Served with one other meat | ×0.6 | 15 lbs (6.8 kg) |
| Served with two other meats | ×0.4 | 10 lbs (4.5 kg) |
| Self-serve buffet | ×1.2 | 30 lbs (14 kg) |
Cooking Details
Target temperature: 160°F internal (USDA, ground beef)
Cook time: 3–4 minutes per side over medium-high heat
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 many pounds of hamburger for 50 people?
Buy 25 lbs (11 kg) of ground beef for 50 people. That makes 100 quarter-pound patties, 2 per person.
How many hamburgers and hot dogs for 50 people?
Plan about 60 burgers and 40 hot dogs for 50 guests. That covers people who eat one of each plus a few seconds.
What does burgers for 50 people cost?
The meat costs about $175 at average US grocery prices ($7.00/lb). With charcoal, drinks, two sides and supplies, budget about $488 in total, or $9.76 per guest.