How Many Sausages for 30 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
At 30 guests, sausages shine as the practical choice — 60 links grill quickly and there's almost no waste. Set up an assembly-style serving station: sausages in a chafing dish, buns in a basket, toppings in small bowls. This keeps the flow moving and frees you from plating individual orders.
Brats vs Hot Dogs for 30 People
| Type | Links per lb | For 30 guests | Packs to buy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bratwurst / Italian | about 5 | 60 links, 12 lbs | 12 packs of 5 |
| Standard hot dogs | about 8–10 | 60 hot dogs, 6 lbs | 8 packs of 8 |
| Mix: 1 brat + 1 hot dog | — | 30 brats + 30 hot dogs | 6 brat packs, 4 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 30 Guests
| Grill loads | 3 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 | 3 foil pans of beer and onions to hold cooked links warm |
| Holding pans | 3 half-size foil pans with lids for about 11 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Sausages (bratwurst or Italian links, about 5 per lb) | 12 lbs (5.4 kg) | $60 |
| Charcoal | 15 lbs (1 bag of 16 lbs) | $23 |
| Buns, one per link | 60 (8 packs of 8) | $22 |
| 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 | $8.30 per guest | $249 |
Links: 60 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 30 |
|---|---|---|
| Main dish, no other meats | ×1 | 12 lbs (5.4 kg) |
| Served with one other meat | ×0.6 | 7.2 lbs (3.3 kg) |
| Served with two other meats | ×0.4 | 4.8 lbs (2.2 kg) |
| Self-serve buffet | ×1.2 | 14.4 lbs (6.5 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 30 people?
Plan 60 sausage links for 30 people, 2 per person. For brats that is about 12 lbs (5.4 kg), or 12 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 30 people cost?
The meat costs about $60 at average US grocery prices ($5.00/lb). With charcoal, drinks, two sides and supplies, budget about $249 in total, or $8.30 per guest.