Meats and mains for 20 people
| Food | Per guest | For 20 guests |
|---|---|---|
| Brisket | 1/3 lb cooked per guest | 1 whole packer brisket |
| Pulled pork | 1/3 lb cooked per guest | 2 bone-in pork butts |
| Wings | 6 per guest | 14 lb of party wings |
| Hot dogs | 1 per guest | 3 packs of 8 |
| Turkey | 1/2 lb cooked per guest | 2 whole turkeys |
| Ham | 0.4 lb sliced per guest | 2 spiral hams |
| Chili | 3/4 cup per guest | 5 quarts |
| Sliders | 1.5 per guest | 5 lb of ground beef |
| Burgers | 1 per guest | 6 lb of ground beef |
Sides for 20 people
| Food | Per guest | For 20 guests |
|---|---|---|
| Mac and cheese | 1/2 cup per guest | 11 cups of mac and cheese |
| Coleslaw | 1/2 cup per guest | 11 cups of coleslaw |
| Baked beans | 1/2 cup per guest | 1 #10 can |
| Mashed potatoes | 3/4 cup per guest | 2 bags of potatoes (5 lb) |
| Dip | 3 tablespoons per guest | 3 jars or tubs (15–16 oz) |
Desserts for 20 people
| Food | Per guest | For 20 guests |
|---|---|---|
| Sheet cake | 1 slice per guest | 1 half-sheet cake |
| Pie | 1 slice per guest | 3 pies (9-inch) |
Drinks and ice for 20 people
| Food | Per guest | For 20 guests |
|---|---|---|
| Water and soda | 4 per guest | 4 cases of 24 |
| Ice | 1 lb per guest indoors | 2 bags (20 lb) |
| Wine | 2.5 glasses per guest | 11 bottles (750 ml) |
| Beer | 3 per guest | 3 cases of 24 |
Supplies for 20 people
| Food | Per guest | For 20 guests |
|---|---|---|
| Plates | 2 per guest | 1 pack of 50 |
Other crowd sizes
Food for 20 people: questions
How much food do I need for 20 people?
For a buffet with one main and three sides: 2 bone-in pork butts, 3 packs of 8 sandwich buns, 11 cups of mac and cheese, 1 #10 can of baked beans, plus dessert, drinks, ice and paper goods. The full list is on this page.
How much meat for 20 people?
Buy about 15 lb of raw pork butt: 2 bone-in pork butts. Serving two meats? Each gets a share of a portion, plus 10%.
How much ice for 20 people?
Buy 22 lb of ice: 2 bags (20 lb). Double it outdoors in warm weather.