How Many Sausages for 50 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
Sausages for 50 guests — 100 links — is one of the most cost-effective large-event BBQ options available. Budget around $160 for meat alone. At this scale, run two grills simultaneously and designate one person per grill. A large chafing dish or commercial warming tray keeps finished sausages hot during the full serving window.
Brats vs Hot Dogs for 50 People
| Type | Links per lb | For 50 guests | Packs to buy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bratwurst / Italian | about 5 | 100 links, 20 lbs | 20 packs of 5 |
| Standard hot dogs | about 8–10 | 100 hot dogs, 10 lbs | 13 packs of 8 |
| Mix: 1 brat + 1 hot dog | — | 50 brats + 50 hot dogs | 10 brat packs, 7 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 50 Guests
| Grill loads | 4 loads of about 25 links on a 22-inch kettle, 15 minutes each |
|---|---|
| Grills to serve in ~45 min | 2 kettle-size grills |
| Optional beer bath | 4 foil pans of beer and onions to hold cooked links warm |
| Holding pans | 4 half-size foil pans with lids for about 18 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Sausages (bratwurst or Italian links, about 5 per lb) | 20 lbs (9.1 kg) | $100 |
| Charcoal | 25 lbs (2 bags of 16 lbs) | $38 |
| Buns, one per link | 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 | $8.26 per guest | $413 |
Links: 100 brats or Italian sausages. Most come 5 to a 19-oz pack, about 5 links per pound.
Gear for This Cook
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
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 50 |
|---|---|---|
| Main dish, no other meats | ×1 | 20 lbs (9.1 kg) |
| Served with one other meat | ×0.6 | 12 lbs (5.4 kg) |
| Served with two other meats | ×0.4 | 8 lbs (3.6 kg) |
| Self-serve buffet | ×1.2 | 24 lbs (11 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?
Open Full BBQ Calculator →FAQ
How many sausages for 50 people?
Plan 100 sausage links for 50 people, 2 per person. For brats that is about 20 lbs (9.1 kg), or 20 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 50 people cost?
The meat costs about $100 at average US grocery prices ($5.00/lb). With charcoal, drinks, two sides and supplies, budget about $413 in total, or $8.26 per guest.