BBQ Party Calculator
Calculate how much meat, sides, and drinks to buy for a BBQ party based on number of guests.
Formula
Meat = 0.5 lb raw per person (yields ~0.33 lb cooked after shrinkage)
- Meat shrinks ~30% during cooking; 0.5 lb raw = ~0.33 lb cooked.
- Children counted as 0.6 of an adult portion.
- Sides: 1.5 servings per person (potato salad, coleslaw, corn, etc.).
15 adults + 5 kids, 4-hour party
Inputs
- Adult Guests: 15
- Children Guests: 5
- Party Duration: 4 hrs
Effective guests = 15 + 5×0.6 = 18. Meat = 9 lbs raw. Sides = 27 servings. Drinks = 144.
Frequently asked questions
How much raw meat per person?
Budget 0.5 lb raw meat per adult (burger, chicken, ribs). It shrinks to about 1/3 lb when cooked.
What sides go with BBQ?
Coleslaw, potato salad, baked beans, corn on the cob, and pasta salad are classics.
How many drinks per person?
Plan for 2 drinks per person per hour as a general rule.
Should I add a buffer?
Always buy 10–15% extra for unexpected guests and big eaters.