What Size Pig for 50 People
For 50 people, order a 45 lb pig dressed (about 65 lb live), assuming 10% skip pork and there is a full spread of sides.
Pig for 50 people
45 lb dressed
a 45 lb pig · about 65 lb live · 70 lb with light sides
By cooking method
| Method | Pigs | Cook time |
|---|---|---|
| La Caja China roasting box | 1 × 45 lb | 3.5–4 h |
| Open pit or pig cooker | 1 × 45 lb | 4–5 h |
| Hawaiian imu (underground) | 1 × 45 lb | 6–8 h |
| Value | |
|---|---|
| Pork eaters | 45 |
| Thaw (fridge, per pig) | 12 days |
| Brine per pig | about 1 gal |
| Pig cost (estimate) | $113–203 |
| Pulled pork from butts instead | 22.5 lb raw, about $56 |
Order a 45 lb dressed
about 65 lb live weight · for 45 of 50 guests eating pork
| Cook time (La Caja China roasting box) | 3.5–4 h |
| Charcoal | 52 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
Pig for 30Size and cook time
Pig for 75Size and cook time
Pig for 100Size and cook time
Pork butt insteadSmoke time and how much per person
FAQ
What size pig for 50 people?
For 50 people, order a 45 lb pig dressed (about 65 lb live), assuming 10% skip pork and there is a full spread of sides.
How much does a pig roast for 50 cost?
About $113–203 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 50 people?
3.5–4 hours in La Caja China; about 1 hour per 10 lb on an open pit.
How much meat does a pig give for 50 people?
Plan by dressed weight rather than cooked meat: published cooked-yield figures for whole hogs vary too much to rely on.