What Size Pig for 200 People
For 200 people, order 3 pigs of about 60 lb dressed (about 255 lb live), assuming 10% skip pork and there is a full spread of sides.
By cooking method
| Method | Pigs | Cook time |
|---|---|---|
| La Caja China roasting box | 3 × 60 lb | 3.5–4 h |
| Open pit or pig cooker | 2 × 90 lb | 7.5–10.5 h |
| Hawaiian imu (underground) | 2 × 90 lb | 6–8 h |
| Value | |
|---|---|
| Pork eaters | 180 |
| Thaw (fridge, per pig) | 15 days |
| Brine per pig | about 1.5 gal |
| Pig cost (estimate) | $450–810 |
| Pulled pork from butts instead | 90 lb raw, about $225 |
| Cook time (La Caja China roasting box) | 3.5–4 h |
| Charcoal | 156 lb |
How we calculate
- Pork eaters = guests minus those who skip pork. Dressed weight = eaters × pounds per guest, rounded up to 5 lb.
- Above 100 lb, or above the box size for La Caja China, the plan splits into two pigs: smaller pigs cook faster and more evenly.
- Live weight = dressed ÷ 64–75%. Thaw days use the USDA fridge rule of about a day per 4–5 lb, applied to a pig (our extrapolation).
- We leave out rotisserie and lechon times because we found no reliable published figures.
| Rule | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Dressed weight per guest | 1 lb (full sides) to 1.5 lb (light sides) | NC Pork Council guide |
| Dressed vs live weight | 64–75%, about 70% typical | UMaine Extension |
| Best carcass size | 60–100 lb; bigger parties cook two | NC Pork Council guide |
| Open pit time | 1 hour per 10 lb dressed | NC Pork Council guide |
| La Caja China | 16 lb charcoal to start, 8–10 lb each hour, flip at 3 h, 3.5–4 h total; Model #2 holds about 85 lb | published recipes |
| Imu | 6–8 h plus 2–3 h to heat the stones | Hawaii guide |
| Safe temperature | 145°F plus 3-minute rest (whole cuts); shoulders and hams pull at 180°F+ | USDA |
Whole-hog numbers are rules of thumb; most come from pitmaster guides, not lab tests. Pig prices are our estimate of $2.50–4.50/lb dressed. Data as of Oct 2026. Full list of sources: How we calculate.
Related
FAQ
What size pig for 200 people?
For 200 people, order 3 pigs of about 60 lb dressed (about 255 lb live), assuming 10% skip pork and there is a full spread of sides.
How much does a pig roast for 200 cost?
About $450–810 for the pig at $2.50–4.50/lb dressed (our estimate), plus charcoal and any box rental.
How long to roast a pig for 200 people?
3.5–4 hours in La Caja China (3 boxes or two rounds); about 1 hour per 10 lb on an open pit.
How much meat does a pig give for 200 people?
Plan by dressed weight rather than cooked meat: published cooked-yield figures for whole hogs vary too much to rely on.