There is nothing like a summer barbecue. The smell of grilled meat wafting through the air and the sound of people chatting and laughing. But how much barbecue should you plan on cooking for your party? And how many people does that feed? Here are some tips to help you figure out how many pounds of barbecue per person.
You’re planning a bbq party for your friends and want to ensure there’s enough food for everyone.
You’re not sure how much barbecue to cook, though. Here are some reasons why you might want to know how many pounds of barbecue per person.
Jump to:
- What are the benefits of knowing how much meat you need for a barbecue?
- Tips for calculating how many pounds of barbecue per person
- How much pounds of meat per person in a barbecue
- What sides to serve in a barbecue party
- What sauces to serve in a barbecue
- What drinks to serve
- How to store leftover barbecue
- How long does those pounds of leftover barbecue last
- FAQs about How Many Pounds of Barbecue per Person
What are the benefits of knowing how much meat you need for a barbecue?
Any experienced grill master knows that having the right amount of meat is essential for a successful barbecue.
If you have too much, you’ll waste food; if you have too little, your guests will go home hungry.
That’s why it’s important to know how to estimate the correct amount of food you’ll need for a cookout.
Also, you will want to ensure to have enough sides, drinks, and dessert to complement the barbecue.
Barbacoa Vs Carnitas, read about the differences in our post.
Tips for calculating how many pounds of barbecue per person
Let’s see some tips for organizing the perfect barbecue!
Decide what you’ll be serving at the barbecue
Regarding barbecues, one of the most important decisions is what to serve.
There are so many options available that it can be tough to choose from. But there are a few things to keep in mind that can help once you have your guest list.
First, think about what kind of meat you want to serve depending on the number of guests.
There are plenty of options, from chicken and steak to burgers and hot dogs.
Once you’ve decided on the main course, you’ll need to choose side dishes.
Will you go for traditional barbecue staples like baked beans, potato salad, or something different?
Other important considerations include your guests’ dietary restrictions and how much time you’re willing to spend cooking.
With careful planning, you can make sure your barbecue is a success!
How to Cook Store Bought Smoked Turkey Legs? Read our post.
Calculate how much food you’ll need per person
It can be tricky to estimate how much each person will eat, especially if you’re not used to cooking for a large group.
A good rule of thumb is to calculate roughly 1lb of food per average adult.
This includes both main dishes and side dishes.
So, if you’re expecting ten people, you should plan on making approximately 10 pounds of food.
Of course, this is just a general guideline but there are other important factors like portion size.
If you know that some of your guests are big eaters, you may want to make a bit more food.
Conversely, suppose you’re expecting primarily adults who are light eaters or many children.
In that case, you may get away with making a bit less for smaller portions.
After all, it’s better to have too much food than too little! The important thing is to err on the side of caution.
How much pounds of meat per person in a barbecue
Regarding barbecue, there’s no such thing as too much meat.
After all, what’s the point of firing up the grill if you’re not going to load it up with delicious, juicy burgers and hot dogs?
However, suppose you’re hosting a barbecue for a large crowd. In that case, it’s essential to ensure enough meat.
This will ensure that everyone leaves the barbecue feeling satisfied.
And if there’s any meat left over, you can always store it properly and enjoy it later!
As we said before, the total amount of meat will depend on several factors, such as the number of people, the serving size, the side dishes you serve or if you will serve more than one type of meat.
Let’s see how much meat you may need approximately per person!
Burgers: You can calculate 2 burgers per person.
Hot dogs: Serve two hot dogs per person, maybe three if people are adults who like to eat.
If you’re serving hamburgers and hot dogs, figure 1 of each per person and add 25% more to ensure no one goes hungry.
Brisket: 1/2 pound of raw brisket per person
Pork Ribs: You can calculate half a rack per person, but this depends if you serve another type of meat.
Pulled Pork: You can estimate one third of a pound per person, maybe less meat if you have a lot of side dishes.
Chicken: Plan on one breast per person, while for thighs and drumsticks, plan on two per person. Also, a good idea is to add some chicken wings.
What sides to serve in a barbecue party
Grill masters know that the success of a barbecue depends on more than just the quality of the meat.
The sides are just as important and can make or break the meal.
When planning a barbecue, choosing sides complementing the main course is essential.
For example, a light salad is an excellent choice to balance a heavy burger.
Other popular options include macaroni salad, baked beans, and corn on the cob.
Of course, no barbecue is complete without some potato dish.
With some thought and preparation, you can create a meal everyone will enjoy.
Whether it is classic potato salad or sweet potato fries, potatoes are always a hit.
So when planning your next barbecue, give equal attention to the main course and the sides.
With this in mind, it will be easier to know how many pounds of barbecue per person you should buy.
What sauces to serve in a barbecue
If you have a barbecue, you’ll want to make sure you have plenty of delicious sauces on hand to accompany the grilled food.
Here are some of the best sauces to serve at a barbecue:
BBQ Sauce: This classic sauce is perfect for slathering ribs or chicken. It’s also great for dipping.
Ketchup: Ketchup is a staple at any barbecue, perfect for burgers and hot dogs.
Mustard: Another essential condiment for burgers and hot dogs, mustard adds a tangy flavor to grilled meats.
Mayonnaise: Mayonnaise is often used as a base for other sauces, but it’s also delicious on its own. Try it on grilled chicken or fish.
Hot sauce: If you like things spicy, be sure to have some hot sauce available. It’s also great for giving an extra kick to barbecue sauce.
With these sauces on your table, your guests will enjoy their grilled food to the fullest!
What drinks to serve
If you’re planning a barbecue, you’ll want to make sure you have plenty of drinks to keep your guests refreshed.
Water is always a good choice, but you might also want to serve iced tea, lemonade, or fruit juice.
Beer and wine are always popular choices for something a little more substantial.
If you’re feeling creative, you could make a signature cocktail for your barbecue.
Whatever drinks you choose, be sure to have enough for everyone and keep them cold in the heat.
How to store leftover barbecue
So you fired up the grill, and now you’ve got pounds of barbecue and a bunch of extra food.
What’s the best way to store it so you can enjoy those leftovers later?
First, if you’ve got any meat still on the bone, strip it off.
That will make it easier to reheat and help it stay fresh.
If you’re working with chicken or ribs, you can cut the meat into smaller pieces before storing it.
Once you’ve prepped the food, let it cool to room temperature before transferring it to an airtight container.
If you’re using plastic wrap or aluminum foil, seal it tightly, so there’s no chance for air to get in.
And finally, be sure to label your leftovers with the date so you know how long they’ll keep.
With these simple tips, your barbecue will stay fresh and delicious for days.
You can read our post on How to Freeze Pulled Pork for later use.
How long does those pounds of leftover barbecue last
Fortunately, you can follow a few guidelines to help ensure your barbecue stays fresh.
First, it’s best to eat it within two hours. Otherwise, bacteria can start to grow and make the food unsafe to eat.
You can store barbecue leftovers in the fridge for up to three days or in the freezer for up to six months.
However, it’s always best to consume leftovers as soon as possible.
Just label and date the containers properly, so you know when they need to be eaten!
Read about the importance of safe food handling.
FAQs about How Many Pounds of Barbecue per Person
Here are some answers to common questions about how many pounds of barbecue per person:
Be sure to store your leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge or freezer. And label it with the date, so you know when it needs to be eaten!
Leftover barbecue will last in the fridge for up to three days or in the freezer for up to six months.
However, it’s always best to consume leftovers as soon as possible.
