BBQ Calculator

Plan for 1/3 to 3/4 pound of raw meat per person depending on appetite. Light eaters: 1/3 lb (5 oz). Average appetites: 1/2 lb (8 oz). Hearty eaters: 3/4 lb (12 oz). For kids under 12, plan for about half of adult portions.

For 20 people with standard 1/4 lb burger patties, buy 6-7 pounds of ground beef. This allows for about 1.5 burgers per person plus some extra. Buy more if burgers are the only main dish or if you expect hearty appetites.

Adults typically eat 1.5-2 hot dogs each, while children eat about 1. For a mixed crowd, plan for 1.5 hot dogs per person on average. Hot dogs are usually a secondary item alongside burgers, so you can reduce this if offering multiple proteins.

For a typical cookout, use about 30 briquettes per pound of meat, or roughly 1 pound of charcoal per pound of meat. For a 3-4 hour cookout with 10 lbs of meat, you'll need about 10-15 lbs of charcoal. Add more for low-and-slow cooking.

Fresh ground beef: 1-2 days ahead. Steaks and chops: 3-5 days ahead. Whole chickens: 1-2 days ahead. Ribs and larger cuts: 3-5 days ahead. For larger events, consider ordering from a butcher a week ahead to ensure you get enough.

Classic BBQ sides include: coleslaw, baked beans, potato salad, corn on the cob, mac and cheese, and green salad. Plan for 2-4 sides per person, with about 1/2 cup of each side dish. Having 3-4 different options gives variety without overwhelming.

Plan for 1/3 pound of cooked pulled pork per person for sandwiches. Since pork shoulder loses about 40-50% of its weight during cooking, buy 2/3 pound of raw pork per person. For 20 guests, that is about 13-14 pounds of raw pork butt or shoulder.

For large BBQs: buy meat 3-5 days ahead from a butcher, start cooking early in the morning, and use multiple grills or smokers. Plan 1/2 pound of cooked meat per person, 3-4 side dishes, and 2-3 drinks per person per hour. Assign helpers for serving and cleanup.