How Many Sausages for 75 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 75 guests, sausages are a caterer's favourite for good reason — 150 links can be grilled in shifts across multiple grills, held in chafing dishes, and served continuously without any reheating quality loss. This size typically requires 3–4 grills or a commercial flat-top. Budget roughly $240 for meat and plan 2–3 grill operators.
Brats vs Hot Dogs for 75 People
| Type | Links per lb | For 75 guests | Packs to buy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bratwurst / Italian | about 5 | 150 links, 30 lbs | 30 packs of 5 |
| Standard hot dogs | about 8–10 | 150 hot dogs, 15 lbs | 19 packs of 8 |
| Mix: 1 brat + 1 hot dog | — | 75 brats + 75 hot dogs | 15 brat packs, 10 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 75 Guests
| Grill loads | 6 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 | 6 foil pans of beer and onions to hold cooked links warm |
| Holding pans | 6 half-size foil pans with lids for about 27 lbs of cooked meat |
| Drinks cooler | 4 × 48-quart coolers for 188 cans, plus 12 × 10-lb bags of ice |
| Serving help | 3 cooking, 3 on serving and refills |
Complete Shopping List for 75
| Item | Quantity | Est. cost |
|---|---|---|
| Sausages (bratwurst or Italian links, about 5 per lb) | 30 lbs (14 kg) | $150 |
| Charcoal | 37.5 lbs (3 bags of 16 lbs) | $56 |
| Buns, one per link | 150 (19 packs of 8) | $53 |
| Drinks, mixed (2.5 per person) | 188 | $207 |
| Potato salad (0.3 lb per person) | 22.5 lbs (10 kg) | $56 |
| Coleslaw (0.3 lb per person) | 22.5 lbs (10 kg) | $56 |
| Plates, napkins, cutlery, condiments | 80 plates, 160 napkins | $38 |
| Estimated total | $8.21 per guest | $616 |
Links: 150 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 75 |
|---|---|---|
| Main dish, no other meats | ×1 | 30 lbs (14 kg) |
| Served with two other meats | ×0.4 | 12 lbs (5.4 kg) |
| Big eaters or an all-day event | ×1.25 | 37.5 lbs (17 kg) |
| Self-serve buffet | ×1.2 | 36 lbs (16 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 75 people?
Plan 150 sausage links for 75 people, 2 per person. For brats that is about 30 lbs (14 kg), or 30 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 75 people cost?
The meat costs about $150 at average US grocery prices ($5.00/lb). With charcoal, drinks, two sides and supplies, budget about $616 in total, or $8.21 per guest.