How Many Sausages for 12 People (Links, Pounds & Packs)
Prices checked Oct 2026, average US grocery prices. Portions follow common catering rules of thumb; safe temperatures follow USDA. How we calculate
For 12 people you need 24 sausage links (4.8 lbs (2.2 kg) of brats · 2 links per person), about $98 for the whole party with drinks, sides and charcoal. At this size one cook and one grill are enough; prep everything the day before.
Brats vs Hot Dogs for 12 People
| Type | Links per lb | For 12 guests | Packs to buy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bratwurst / Italian | about 5 | 24 links, 4.8 lbs | 5 packs of 5 |
| Standard hot dogs | about 8–10 | 24 hot dogs, 2.4 lbs | 3 packs of 8 |
| Mix: 1 brat + 1 hot dog | — | 12 brats + 12 hot dogs | 3 brat packs, 2 hot dog packs |
Brats are heavier and more filling than hot dogs, so a mix of one of each per person works well for mixed ages.
Plan for Exactly 12 Guests
| Grill loads | 1 loads of about 25 links on a 22-inch kettle, 15 minutes each |
|---|---|
| Grills to serve in ~45 min | 1 kettle-size grill |
| Optional beer bath | 1 foil pans of beer and onions to hold cooked links warm |
| Holding pans | 1 half-size foil pans with lids for about 4 lbs of cooked meat |
| Drinks cooler | 1 × 48-quart cooler for 30 cans, plus 2 × 10-lb bags of ice |
| Serving help | 1 person cooking, 1 on the table |
Complete Shopping List for 12
| Item | Quantity | Est. cost |
|---|---|---|
| Sausages (bratwurst or Italian links, about 5 per lb) | 4.8 lbs (2.2 kg) | $24 |
| Charcoal | 6 lbs (1 bag of 16 lbs) | $9 |
| Buns, one per link | 24 (3 packs of 8) | $8 |
| Drinks, mixed (2.5 per person) | 30 | $33 |
| Potato salad (0.3 lb per person) | 3.6 lbs (1.6 kg) | $9 |
| Coleslaw (0.3 lb per person) | 3.6 lbs (1.6 kg) | $9 |
| Plates, napkins, cutlery, condiments | 17 plates, 34 napkins | $6 |
| Estimated total | $8.17 per guest | $98 |
Links: 24 brats or Italian sausages. Most come 5 to a 19-oz pack, about 5 links per pound.
Gear for This Cook
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Adjust for Your Crowd
The numbers above assume adults with sausages as the main dish and two sides. Scale them for your event:
| Situation | Multiplier | Sausages for 12 |
|---|---|---|
| Main dish, no other meats | ×1 | 4.8 lbs (2.2 kg) |
| Served with one other meat | ×0.6 | 2.9 lbs (1.3 kg) |
| About half the guests are kids under 12 | ×0.75 | 3.6 lbs (1.6 kg) |
| Big eaters or an all-day event | ×1.25 | 6 lbs (2.7 kg) |
Cooking Details
Target temperature: 160°F internal for fresh pork or beef links
Cook time: 12–15 minutes over medium heat, turning often
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 many sausages for 12 people?
Plan 24 sausage links for 12 people, 2 per person. For brats that is about 4.8 lbs (2.2 kg), or 5 packs of 5.
How many links are in a pound of sausage?
Bratwurst and Italian sausage run about 5 links per pound. Standard hot dogs are 8–10 per pound.
What does sausages for 12 people cost?
The meat costs about $24 at average US grocery prices ($5.00/lb). With charcoal, drinks, two sides and supplies, budget about $98 in total, or $8.17 per guest.