Have you ever hosted a barbecue or a family gathering and wondered how much pulled pork per person you should prepare? It can be a tricky question to answer, especially if you’re new to cooking or hosting events. But fear not. This article’s here to help!
The answer is to serve 1/3 pound of cooked pulled pork per adult and 1/4 pound per child. For those with bigger appetites, or if you want to ensure there are leftovers, go for 2/3 of a pound per adult.
However, there are a few other factors to consider, such as the type of pork you use, the ages and genders of your guests, and the time of day for your gathering.
In this article, we’ll explore these factors in detail. It also includes a quick calculator and some helpful tips on cooking and preparing pulled pork for a crowd.
So, grab a drink, sit back, and read on – this will be a tasty ride!
How Much Pulled Pork Do You Need?
You spend all day smoking a pork butt, and as your guests arrive, you realize you don’t have enough to go around. Don’t let this happen to you. This guide will tell you exactly the amount of pork needed and provide a handy calculator to help you estimate quickly.
1. Boneless Meat
Regarding boneless cuts, a simple guideline is to serve 1/3 pound of cooked pulled pork per adult person. This serving size means 1 pound can feed three people.
But if you’re looking to cater to larger appetites or want to have leftovers, you may want to increase the serving size to 2/3 pounds per adult. For children, a suitable serving size is 1/4 pound.
Remember that the meat loses around 50% of its original mass when cooking pulled pork. This means that:
- You’ll need 2 pounds of raw Boston Butt or pork shoulder meat to cook 1 pound of pulled pork.
- To serve 1/3 pound of cooked pulled pork per adult, you’ll need 2/3 pound of raw meat.
- To serve 1/4 pound of cooked pulled pork per child, you’ll need 1/2 pound of raw meat.
To make it easier to calculate the amount of raw meat needed, use the following formula or try the pre-calculated tables and calculator below:
Pounds of raw pork butt needed = ((Number of adults x 1/3) + (Number of children x 1/4)) x 2
For adults:
| # of Adults | Cooked Pork Needed (lbs) | Raw Pork Needed (lbs) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0.33 | 0.67 |
| 5 | 1.67 | 3.33 |
| 10 | 3.33 | 6.67 |
| 25 | 8.33 | 16.67 |
| 50 | 16.67 | 33.33 |
| 100 | 33.33 | 66.67 |
| 200 | 66.67 | 133.33 |
For children:
| # of Children | Cooked Pork Needed (lbs) | Raw Pork Needed (lbs) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0.25 | 0.5 |
| 5 | 1.25 | 2.5 |
| 10 | 2.5 | 5 |
| 25 | 6.25 | 12.5 |
| 50 | 12.5 | 25 |
| 100 | 25 | 50 |
| 200 | 50 | 100 |
2. Bone-in Meat
Typically, bones make up about 10% of the weight of a raw bone-in pork shoulder or Boston butt. To calculate the amount of raw bone-in pork needed, you can take the amount of raw boneless pork needed and add 10%.
For example, let’s say you’re cooking for a party of 10 adults and have decided to buy bone-in pulled pork.
If you calculate that you need 6,67 pounds of raw boneless pork for the 10 adults, you’ll need to add 10% to that amount to account for the weight of the bones.
So, you would need 6.67 x 1.1 = 7.34 pounds of raw bone-in pork to make enough pulled pork for your guests.
For your convenience, there are pre-calculated tables you can use to look up the answer or try the calculator. It’s a lot simpler this way.
For adults:
| # of Adults | Cooked Pork Needed (lbs) | Raw Bone-in Pork Needed (lbs) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0.33 | 0.73 |
| 5 | 1.67 | 3.66 |
| 10 | 3.33 | 7.34 |
| 25 | 8.33 | 18.34 |
| 50 | 16.67 | 36.66 |
| 100 | 33.33 | 73.34 |
| 200 | 66.67 | 146.66 |
For children:
| # of Children | Cooked Pork Needed (lbs) | Raw Bone-in Pork Needed (lbs) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0.25 | 0.55 |
| 5 | 1.25 | 2.75 |
| 10 | 2.5 | 5.50 |
| 25 | 6.25 | 13.75 |
| 50 | 12.5 | 27.50 |
| 100 | 25 | 55.00 |
| 200 | 50 | 110.00 |
3. Pulled Pork Calculator
To make things even easier, you can use the calculator below to determine how many pounds of pulled pork to feed your guests.
All you have to do is enter the number of people attending your event, adults, and children, and you’ll get a suggested amount of raw meat needed.
However, this is just a suggestion. You may need to adjust it depending on your guests’ appetites and if you want to have leftovers. So, consider all factors before deciding on an exact amount.
Some examples of results with this calculator:
- Feeding 200 guests, including 150 adults and 50 children, requires about 63 lbs of cooked pulled pork or 125 lbs of raw boneless pork butt, or 138 lbs of raw bone-in pork butt.
- Serving 75 guests, including 60 adults and 15 children, requires approximately 24 lbs of cooked pulled pork or 48 lbs of raw boneless pork butt, or 53 lbs of raw bone-in pork butt.
Other Factors to Consider When Calculating
Figuring out how much food is needed can be tricky, but there are some things to keep in mind. Age group, event type, and other factors are all essential for the correct amount. Pay attention to the details, and you’ll be able to get the amount just right.
1. Age Group and Gender
If you’re concerned about nutrition, it’s important to take your guests’ age and gender into account when deciding how much meat to serve. Men generally require more protein than women, and children require less than both.
The chart below shows the recommended minimum amount of protein people should consume based on the average sedentary lifestyle:
- Children aged 1-3 years: 0.46 oz (13 g) for both boys and girls
- Children aged 4-8 years: 0.67 oz (19 g) for both boys and girls
- Children aged 9-13 years: 1.2 oz (34 g) for both boys and girls
- Girls aged 14-18 years: 1.6 oz (46 g)
- Boys aged 14-18 years: 1.8 oz (52 g)
- Women aged 19-70 years: 1.6 oz (46 g)
- Men aged 19-70 years: 2 oz (56 g)
- Pregnant women: 2.5 oz (71 g)
- Breastfeeding women: 2.5 oz (71 g)
For athletes or those who exercise regularly, the ideal amount of protein per kg of body weight increases. People completing moderate levels of exercise should aim for 1.3g or more per kg of body weight, while those carrying out intense exercise should aim for 1.6g or more.
Generally, the Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) for protein is 0.8 grams per kilogram of body weight.
For instance, someone weighing 170 lbs or 77 kg would need at least 61.6 grams of protein per day. According to the USDA, 5 ounces (0.312 lbs) of cooked pork shoulder provides 33 grams of protein. Therefore, serving 1/3 pound of cooked pulled pork would provide half their daily protein needs.
When serving a mixed-age group, calculating the exact amount of protein needed for each person can be complicated. Plus, some people may require more or less than the recommended amount based on their individual needs, activity levels, and appetite.
So, offering a range of portion sizes can help accommodate everyone’s needs.
2. Type of Event
When calculating the amount of pulled pork needed for an event, the type of event must be taken into account.
For instance, if you’re throwing a buffet-style dinner, guests might serve themselves larger helpings than at a sit-down dinner.
Similarly, backyard barbecues tend to encourage people to eat more than a formal event would.
So, it’s important to factor in the size of the portions that will be served, depending on the style of the event.
3. Time of The Day
Considering the time of day that the pulled pork is being served can be important. If it’s an early event, people might not eat as much as if it’s in the afternoon or evening. This is because people often have a more restrained appetite in the morning.
4. Style Of Dish
The dish’s style can significantly affect the amount of pulled pork each person consumes. For instance, if you serve sliders with pulled pork, people would likely eat more than with regular buns, as sliders are smaller. On the contrary, buns of larger size might cause people to eat less.
The condiments used are also an essential factor. If the pulled pork is presented with a creamy and thick sauce, people may be more inclined to eat more since the sauce adds more flavor. Conversely, if a light and tangy sauce accompanies the pulled pork, people may be less likely to consume as much, as the flavor is not as strong.
The portion size can also affect the pulled pork amount per person. A large portion size could encourage people to eat more, while a small portion size could discourage them from overeating.
The way the pulled pork is presented can also influence how much people consume. For instance, if it is served on a bed of coleslaw or garnished with fresh herbs, people might be more likely to eat more due to its attractive look.
5. What Else is on the Menu?
Lastly, it’s essential to consider what other items are on the menu. For example, if you’re serving a variety of side dishes, people may eat less pulled pork than if it were the only main dish.
Therefore, maintain a good balance between the amount of pulled pork served and the other dishes so that guests are content but don’t overeat.
Best Way to Cook Pulled Pork for Large Gatherings
If you’re looking for a dish that will impress a large group of people, look no further than pulled pork. However, the preparation and cooking of this tasty meal can be a bit tricky. Here are some tips to help you make it a success:
1. Smoke Your Pulled Pork
Smoking is the best way to cook pulled pork for large gatherings. Smoking adds a deep smoky flavor to the meat that’s hard to replicate with other cooking methods.
It’s relatively hands-off, allowing you to prepare other dishes or mingle with guests while the pork cooks. To smoke pulled pork, cook it low and slow using a temperature of 225-250°F for 8-12 hours.
2. Season It
To make your pulled pork even better, season it well with a dry rub before smoking. This can include a mix of salt, sugar, paprika, chili powder, garlic powder, and other spices of your choice. The dry rub will create a tasty bark on the outside of the meat while keeping the inside moist and flavorful.
3. Keep It Warm
When hosting a BBQ, keeping the pulled pork warm is of utmost importance. To do this, there are several options available.
The simplest is to wrap the cooked pork in some foil and then a towel or blanket – this helps to keep the heat in and the pork warm.
Alternatively, a slow cooker or chafing dish can be used. This way, the pork stays warm, and your guests can help themselves!
All in all, these methods ensure that your pulled pork remains tasty and enjoyable for all.
4. Serving Suggestions
Pulled pork is a versatile dish that’s easy to dress up with various flavors. Serve it on soft buns with coleslaw, pickles, BBQ sauce, hot sauce, and sliced onions for a flavorful meal.
When it comes to sides, nothing beats classic BBQ staples like baked beans, mac, and cheese, or potato salad. These accompaniments will make for a delicious, hearty dinner that’s sure to please.
How to Store Pulled Pork Leftovers
After a delicious BBQ party, you may have some extra pulled pork you want to preserve. It’s important to let it cool to room temperature first, as this will help prevent bacterial growth.
Then you can store the leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days. If you plan to keep it longer, freezing is your best option. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil, then place it in a freezer bag or airtight container.
When reheating, it’s vital to do it properly to avoid foodborne illness. You can use the microwave or stove, but make sure that its temperature is at least 165°F.
Storing your pulled pork leftovers correctly will guarantee that you can enjoy them later without compromising taste or safety.
Conclusion
Throwing a BBQ party and not sure how much pulled pork to feed a crowd?
Generally, you should aim to provide between 1/3 and 2/3 of a pound of pulled pork per person, depending on the bun size and other food options.
It’s always better to have too much than too little, as leftovers can easily be stored and enjoyed later. With these tips, you’ll have a successful and delicious BBQ party with plenty of pulled pork!
I’m Jackson. I’ve been experimenting with different recipes and techniques to make the perfect plate of smoked or grilled meat for many years. I started this blog to share my experience with others who love grilling and smoking just as much as I do. Here you’ll find recipes, tips, tricks, and everything you need to know about making mouth-watering grilled or smoked dishes.