How Much Pulled Pork for 20 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 20 guests, buy about 10 lbs of pork butt. Two 5-lb butts smoke faster and more evenly than one big one, and give you a backup if one finishes early. Each needs roughly 8–9 hours at 225°F, so an overnight cook works well.
Raw vs Cooked Pulled Pork for 20 People
| Per person | For 20 guests | Metric | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Raw bone-in pork butt to buy | 0.5 lb | 10 lbs | 4.5 kg |
| Cooked pulled pork | about 4.4 oz | 5.5 lbs | 2.5 kg |
| Sandwiches (4 oz each) | 1+ | about 22 | — |
| Pork butts | — | 2 × about 5 lbs | 2.3 kg each |
Buy by raw weight. If pulled pork is one of two meats, 0.33 lb raw per person is enough; for big eaters, use 0.75 lb.
Plan for Exactly 20 Guests
| Smoker space | 2 butts: one 18-inch smoker or kettle |
|---|---|
| Cook time | about 8 hours at 225°F (cook time depends on each butt, not on how many), plus a 1-hour rest |
| Start time | light the smoker about 9 hours before serving, so usually the night before |
| Thawing if frozen | 1 day in the fridge per butt (USDA: about 1 day per 4–5 lbs) |
| Holding pans | 2 half-size foil pans with lids for about 6 lbs of cooked meat |
| Drinks cooler | 2 × 48-quart coolers for 50 cans, plus 3 × 10-lb bags of ice |
| Serving help | 1 person cooking, 1 on the table |
Complete Shopping List for 20
| Item | Quantity | Est. cost |
|---|---|---|
| Pulled Pork (bone-in pork butt (shoulder), raw weight) | 10 lbs (4.5 kg) | $25 |
| Charcoal for a long smoke | 18.5 lbs (2 bags of 16 lbs) | $28 |
| Buns, one per sandwich | 22 (3 packs of 8) | $8 |
| Drinks, mixed (2.5 per person) | 50 | $55 |
| Potato salad (0.3 lb per person) | 6 lbs (2.7 kg) | $15 |
| Coleslaw (0.3 lb per person) | 6 lbs (2.7 kg) | $15 |
| Plates, napkins, cutlery, condiments | 25 plates, 50 napkins | $10 |
| Estimated total | $7.80 per guest | $156 |
Cooked yield: about 5.5 lbs (2.5 kg) of pulled pork. A pork butt loses roughly 45% of its raw weight to fat, water and bone.
Gear for This Cook
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Adjust for Your Crowd
The numbers above assume adults with pulled pork as the main dish and two sides. Scale them for your event:
| Situation | Multiplier | Pulled Pork for 20 |
|---|---|---|
| Main dish, no other meats | ×1 | 10 lbs (4.5 kg) |
| Served with one other meat | ×0.6 | 6 lbs (2.7 kg) |
| About half the guests are kids under 12 | ×0.75 | 7.5 lbs (3.4 kg) |
| Big eaters or an all-day event | ×1.25 | 12.5 lbs (5.7 kg) |
Cooking Details
Target temperature: 195–205°F, then rest 30–60 minutes before pulling
Cook time: about 1.5 hours per pound of each butt at 225°F
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 pulled pork for 20 people?
Buy 10 lbs (4.5 kg) of raw bone-in pork butt for 20 people. After smoking it yields about 5.5 lbs of pulled pork, roughly 4.4 oz per person.
How many pork butts for 20 people?
2 pork butts of about 5 lbs each. Smaller butts cook faster and more evenly than one very large one.
What does pulled pork for 20 people cost?
The meat costs about $25 at average US grocery prices ($2.50/lb). With charcoal, drinks, two sides and supplies, budget about $156 in total, or $7.80 per guest.