The menu for 25, 50, 100 guests
| What to buy | Rule | 25 guests | 50 guests | 100 guests |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ground beef for burgers, by the pound | 1 per guest, split 2 ways | 4 lb | 8 lb | 16 lb |
| Hamburger buns, 8-packs | 1 per guest, split 2 ways | 2 | 4 | 8 |
| Hot dogs, packs of 8 | 1 per guest, split 2 ways | 2 | 4 | 8 |
| Hot dog buns, 8-packs | 1 per guest, split 2 ways | 2 | 4 | 8 |
| Baked beans, #10 cans | 1/2 cup per guest | 2 | 3 | 5 |
| Coleslaw | 1/2 cup per guest | 14 cups | 28 cups | 55 cups |
| Potato salad, 3-lb deli tubs | 0.3 lb per guest | 3 | 6 | 11 |
| Corn on the cob | 1 per guest | 28 ears | 55 ears | 110 ears |
| Water and soda, cases of 24 | 4 per guest | 5 | 10 | 19 |
| Beer, cases of 24 | 3 per guest | 4 | 7 | 14 |
| Ice, 20-lb bags | 2 lb per guest outdoors | 3 | 6 | 11 |
| Plates, packs of 50 | 2 per guest | 2 | 3 | 5 |
With 2 mains on the menu, each is planned at an equal share of a portion plus 10%, because most guests take some of each.
Backyard cookout tips
- Burgers and hot dogs split the plate: the planner gives each main an equal share of a portion and adds 10%, since plenty of guests take one of each.
- Cold sides (slaw, potato salad) go out last and back in the cooler first. On a hot day, that's the one-hour rule, not two.
- For a big crowd, start grilling before guests arrive and hold cooked burgers and hot dogs in covered foil pans on the cool side of the grill.
Food safety: don't leave perishable food out more than 2 hours, or 1 hour above 90°F (USDA). Keep hot food hot and cold food on ice.
Each food on its own
Every line above has its own calculator with a chart for 10 to 200 people:
Backyard cookout questions
How many burgers and hot dogs do I need for a cookout?
Use the table on this page for your headcount. Both are planned together, so you don't buy a full burger and a full hot dog for every guest.
How long can cookout food sit out in the heat?
One hour when it's above 90°F, two hours otherwise. Keep cold sides in a cooler with ice and bring out small batches.