Meats and mains for 40 people
| Food | Per guest | For 40 guests |
|---|---|---|
| Brisket | 1/3 lb cooked per guest | 2 whole packer briskets |
| Pulled pork | 1/3 lb cooked per guest | 4 bone-in pork butts |
| Wings | 6 per guest | 27 lb of party wings |
| Hot dogs | 1 per guest | 6 packs of 8 |
| Turkey | 1/2 lb cooked per guest | 3 whole turkeys |
| Ham | 0.4 lb sliced per guest | 4 spiral hams |
| Chili | 3/4 cup per guest | 9 quarts |
| Sliders | 1.5 per guest | 9 lb of ground beef |
| Burgers | 1 per guest | 11 lb of ground beef |
Sides for 40 people
| Food | Per guest | For 40 guests |
|---|---|---|
| Mac and cheese | 1/2 cup per guest | 22 cups of mac and cheese |
| Coleslaw | 1/2 cup per guest | 22 cups of coleslaw |
| Baked beans | 1/2 cup per guest | 2 #10 cans |
| Mashed potatoes | 3/4 cup per guest | 4 bags of potatoes (5 lb) |
| Dip | 3 tablespoons per guest | 6 jars or tubs (15–16 oz) |
Desserts for 40 people
| Food | Per guest | For 40 guests |
|---|---|---|
| Sheet cake | 1 slice per guest | 1 half-sheet cake |
| Pie | 1 slice per guest | 6 pies (9-inch) |
Drinks and ice for 40 people
| Food | Per guest | For 40 guests |
|---|---|---|
| Water and soda | 4 per guest | 8 cases of 24 |
| Ice | 1 lb per guest indoors | 3 bags (20 lb) |
| Wine | 2.5 glasses per guest | 22 bottles (750 ml) |
| Beer | 3 per guest | 6 cases of 24 |
Supplies for 40 people
| Food | Per guest | For 40 guests |
|---|---|---|
| Plates | 2 per guest | 2 packs of 50 |
Other crowd sizes
Food for 40 people: questions
How much food do I need for 40 people?
For a buffet with one main and three sides: 4 bone-in pork butts, 6 packs of 8 sandwich buns, 22 cups of mac and cheese, 2 #10 cans of baked beans, plus dessert, drinks, ice and paper goods. The full list is on this page.
How much meat for 40 people?
Buy about 30 lb of raw pork butt: 4 bone-in pork butts. Serving two meats? Each gets a share of a portion, plus 10%.
How much ice for 40 people?
Buy 44 lb of ice: 3 bags (20 lb). Double it outdoors in warm weather.