How Many Sausages for 80 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 80 people you need 160 sausage links (32 lbs (15 kg) of brats · 2 links per person), about $656 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 80 People
| Type | Links per lb | For 80 guests | Packs to buy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bratwurst / Italian | about 5 | 160 links, 32 lbs | 32 packs of 5 |
| Standard hot dogs | about 8–10 | 160 hot dogs, 16 lbs | 20 packs of 8 |
| Mix: 1 brat + 1 hot dog | — | 80 brats + 80 hot dogs | 16 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 80 Guests
| Grill loads | 7 loads of about 25 links on a 22-inch kettle, 15 minutes each |
|---|---|
| Grills to serve in ~45 min | 3 kettle-size grills |
| Optional beer bath | 7 foil pans of beer and onions to hold cooked links warm |
| Holding pans | 6 half-size foil pans with lids for about 29 lbs of cooked meat |
| Drinks cooler | 5 × 48-quart coolers for 200 cans, plus 12 × 10-lb bags of ice |
| Serving help | 3 cooking, 3 on serving and refills |
Complete Shopping List for 80
| Item | Quantity | Est. cost |
|---|---|---|
| Sausages (bratwurst or Italian links, about 5 per lb) | 32 lbs (15 kg) | $160 |
| Charcoal | 40 lbs (3 bags of 16 lbs) | $60 |
| Buns, one per link | 160 (20 packs of 8) | $56 |
| Drinks, mixed (2.5 per person) | 200 | $220 |
| Potato salad (0.3 lb per person) | 24 lbs (11 kg) | $60 |
| Coleslaw (0.3 lb per person) | 24 lbs (11 kg) | $60 |
| Plates, napkins, cutlery, condiments | 85 plates, 170 napkins | $40 |
| Estimated total | $8.20 per guest | $656 |
Links: 160 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 80 |
|---|---|---|
| Main dish, no other meats | ×1 | 32 lbs (15 kg) |
| Served with two other meats | ×0.4 | 12.8 lbs (5.8 kg) |
| Big eaters or an all-day event | ×1.25 | 40 lbs (18 kg) |
| Self-serve buffet | ×1.2 | 38.5 lbs (17 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 80 people?
Plan 160 sausage links for 80 people, 2 per person. For brats that is about 32 lbs (15 kg), or 32 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 80 people cost?
The meat costs about $160 at average US grocery prices ($5.00/lb). With charcoal, drinks, two sides and supplies, budget about $656 in total, or $8.20 per guest.