How Many Sausages for 60 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 60 people you need 120 sausage links (24 lbs (11 kg) of brats · 2 links per person), about $492 for the whole party with drinks, sides and charcoal. Treat it like a catering job: two cooks, a holding plan for cooked food and a written timeline.
Brats vs Hot Dogs for 60 People
| Type | Links per lb | For 60 guests | Packs to buy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bratwurst / Italian | about 5 | 120 links, 24 lbs | 24 packs of 5 |
| Standard hot dogs | about 8–10 | 120 hot dogs, 12 lbs | 15 packs of 8 |
| Mix: 1 brat + 1 hot dog | — | 60 brats + 60 hot dogs | 12 brat packs, 8 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 60 Guests
| Grill loads | 5 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 | 5 foil pans of beer and onions to hold cooked links warm |
| Holding pans | 5 half-size foil pans with lids for about 22 lbs of cooked meat |
| Drinks cooler | 4 × 48-quart coolers for 150 cans, plus 9 × 10-lb bags of ice |
| Serving help | 3 cooking, 2 on serving and refills |
Complete Shopping List for 60
| Item | Quantity | Est. cost |
|---|---|---|
| Sausages (bratwurst or Italian links, about 5 per lb) | 24 lbs (11 kg) | $120 |
| Charcoal | 30 lbs (2 bags of 16 lbs) | $45 |
| Buns, one per link | 120 (15 packs of 8) | $42 |
| Drinks, mixed (2.5 per person) | 150 | $165 |
| Potato salad (0.3 lb per person) | 18 lbs (8.2 kg) | $45 |
| Coleslaw (0.3 lb per person) | 18 lbs (8.2 kg) | $45 |
| Plates, napkins, cutlery, condiments | 65 plates, 130 napkins | $30 |
| Estimated total | $8.20 per guest | $492 |
Links: 120 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 60 |
|---|---|---|
| Main dish, no other meats | ×1 | 24 lbs (11 kg) |
| Served with two other meats | ×0.4 | 9.6 lbs (4.4 kg) |
| Big eaters or an all-day event | ×1.25 | 30 lbs (14 kg) |
| Self-serve buffet | ×1.2 | 29 lbs (13 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 60 people?
Plan 120 sausage links for 60 people, 2 per person. For brats that is about 24 lbs (11 kg), or 24 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 60 people cost?
The meat costs about $120 at average US grocery prices ($5.00/lb). With charcoal, drinks, two sides and supplies, budget about $492 in total, or $8.20 per guest.