So you’re throwing a BBQ party, eh? There are probably a lot of questions you have right now, like how much pulled pork per person do I really need? With Sonny’s Catering, we’re here to help you master party food planning. For times like this, we need our BBQ Party Portion Calculator.
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BBQ Party Portion Calculator
Let’s get right to the meat. Here’s a quick guide for how much food you’ll need per person at your next BBQ party:
Meat
| Meat Type | Amount Per Person | Pro Tip |
| Pulled Pork | 1/3 to 1/2 lb | Go for 1/2 lb if it’s the main entree |
| Sliced Pork | 1/3 to 1/2 lb | Goes great with buns or cornbread |
| Smoked Chicken | 1/4 to 1/3 lb | Bone-in? Plan on a little more |
| Ribs | 4-6 bones per guest | Applies more to St. Louis |
| Brisket | 1/3 to 1/2 lb | Higher demand = plan for more |
| Turkey | 1/4 to 1/3 lb | Lighter eaters? This is your go-to |
Sides
| Side Dish | Serving Size Per Person | Sonny’s Menu Pick |
| BBQ Beans | 4 oz (1/2 cup) | Classic recipe |
| Coleslaw | 4 oz | Homemade every time |
| Mac & Cheese | 5-6 oz | Creamy & crowd-pleasing |
| Green Beans | 4 oz | A lighter option |
| Potato Salad | 4-5 oz | BBQ staple |
| Baked Sweet Potato | 1 each | Comfort food at its finest |
Printable BBQ Portion Chart
Here’s a downloadable portion chart to keep on hand while planning or shopping. It’s especially handy if you’re cooking at home or comparing Catering options.
How Much Pulled Pork Per Person?
If pulled pork is the main attraction of this party, plan for 1/2 pound per adult and 1/3 pound per kid. Hosting a big crew? It’s simple, just multiply that out:
- 10 adults = 5 lbs of pulled pork
- 25 adults = 12-13 lbs
- 50 adults = 25 lbs
If you’re serving other meats or lots of sides, you can trim back slightly, but pulled pork tends to go pretty quickly when it’s piled on top of buns.
Let Sonny’s Catering Handle It
Planning a party doesn’t need to feel like you’re taking a math exam. At Sonny’s, our Catering Packages make all of this guesswork go away.
With your choice of 1, 2, or 3 meats, 3 sides, and bread included, we’ll handle the heavy lifting (and the slow smoking). Here are just some of the options you can expect:
- Pulled Pork, Sliced Pork, Turkey, Chicken, Brisket, Ribs
- Sides like Mac & Cheese, Green Beans, Baked Sweet Potatoes, Slaw
- Cornbread or Garlic Bread
- Drinks like Sweet Tea or Lemonade
- Paper plates and utensils included
Want upgraded options like Wing Platters, Burnt Ends or BBQ Meatballs? We can do that too. Find your local menu and get explorin’.
More BBQ Party Food Planning Tips
Just because we know these things may come up, here are a few more tips straight from our Pitmasters:
- Plan for 1.5 servings per guest if folks want seconds (they will)
- Don’t forget vegetarian or lighter options for balance
- Kids eat less, but teens eat more (adjust accordingly)
Closin’ the Smoker
At the end of the day, or when the log hits the smoker, it’s always better to have a little extra at a BBQ party than not enough. That way, people can pack up some leftovers and hit the road.
Need help customizing your order or talking through the details? Our catering pros are just a call or click away.
