Lbs of pork per person ratio..

[sam3]

Hey All,

I have a suprise 40th B-day party for my sister-in-law in two weeks. My plan was to do a whole pig in my La Caja China box, but we're looking at maybe @40-50 people coming. Not sure I want to roast a suckling pig if I can get away with roasting shoulders instead.

There will be a tray of meatballs, ziti and salad.

I'm thinking 24lbs of pork shoulders should do the trick. That would be @1/2lb per person.

What are your thoughts?

 

[redneck69]

doesn't look like you figured in the 35% cook down weight for the shoulders..1/2 lb is about normal per person with other sides factored in...

 

[scarbelly]

Redneck is correct - you need to figure 30-35% loss with fat and cooking. The question is are you doing sandwiches or a plate. If sandwiched the normal portion is 4-6 oz. Plates normally run 6-8 oz. If you are doing a buffet you need to add 10-15% due to people taking more than they can eat and wasting it.    

 

[sam3]

Redneck is correct - you need to figure 30-35% loss with fat and cooking. The question is are you doing sandwiches or a plate. If sandwiched the normal portion is 4-6 oz. Plates normally run 6-8 oz. If you are doing a buffet you need to add 10-15% due to people taking more than they can eat and wasting it.    

Thanks for the input guys. I'm serving it buffet style with rolls, so they have a choice. So I should be really looking at @ 35lbs (uncooked) weight. Sound right?
 

 

[sprky]

Well for what its worth. I have been picking the brain of a local caterer on meat amounts and such. She recommends figuring 1# per person uncooked weight. 

 

[diesel]

I usually go with 6 to 8 people per 7lb cooked butt.  Doesn't hurt to have some extra. 

 

[scarbelly]

Thanks for the input guys. I'm serving it buffet style with rolls, so they have a choice. So I should be really looking at @ 35lbs (uncooked) weight. Sound right?
 

That sounds pretty close. With the buffet you have no control and people will always pile on an extra slice or two and then not eat it. I have gone to having someone stand at the buffet and serve when it is first opened to cut down on waste then after they go thru one time we go sit and enjoy 

 

[sam3]

That sounds pretty close. With the buffet you have no control and people will always pile on an extra slice or two and then not eat it. I have gone to having someone stand at the buffet and serve when it is first opened to cut down on waste then after they go thru one time we go sit and enjoy 

Agreed. That's a good idea. I'll probably get 4 of the largest shoulders I can find, hopefully closer to 40 lbs. Like Diesel said, it won't hurt to have extra.