Cooking for School Party

[Richmond_Rukus]

My wife works at a school and asked if I would cook pulled pork for a party of about 200. I cook a lot of Butts, but generally for home, or small football parties where portioning isn't an issue. My question is how any pounds of Raw pork should I buy to feed 200. It will be a mixture of Men and Women. I do not believe kids are involved. It is 1 BBQ sandwich per person. So don't need to factor in Big Eaters as they are paying per plate. We will also have Chips, Potato Salad, Cole Slaw, Baked Beans and a desert.

I'll be cooking the 2 packs of Boneless shoulders/butts from Costco.

I appreciate any advice!!

 

[oldsmokerdude]

The worst thing you could do is run out of pork. Not sure how much cooked pork you will be putting on a sandwich, but based on what you stated, I would figure half pound of uncooked pork per person. You will probably have some left over, but that's okay and way better than running out. IMO.

 

[zwiller]

Did 50lbs PP for daughter's grad party and inquired here. Agree with oldsmokerdude 1/2lb per is good and you will have leftover. It is a bit on the high side and think 1/4lb is probably more accurate with all the sides. Yield is also a factor. My yield was better as I injected but 50-60% is the norm. So... 200 people = 100lb cooked = 200lb raw with 50% yield.

I smoked and chopped (pull if you want) vac sealed and froze them as I did them. Thawed overnight and reheated gently in roaster oven. Served with Jeff's sauce and Chef JJ's finish on the side. The COOLEST part was that I developed a recipe and process by doing them and got really good at it from the repetition.

 

[chef jimmyj]

8 oz portions are fine for Serve Yourself parties. In this case, sounds like servers will make and plate sandwiches with the sides. 4ozs of Pulled Pork fills a standard Hamburger Bun very nicely. That's a generous Kitchen Spoon full or a #8, 1/2Cup Disher (portion scoop).

200 portions X 4oz = 800oz / 16 = 50 lbs Pulled / .5 (50% yield) = 100 pounds raw Butts. Since all natural, non-enhanced, Butts typically have closer to a 60% yield, you basically have a built in extra 10+/-%. This will cover folks wanting 2 sandwiches or unexpected guests. If you want leftovers, the Pit Masters payment, add 10 pounds...JJ

 

[Richmond_Rukus]

Appreciate the replies. They ended up with less people this year. They have 95 with a 20 person buffer. So asked that I cook for 120. I have 70 lbs of raw Barbeque. Wish I could do it all fresh, but my pellet smoker will only hold 6 of the 8 Butts. So looking like I'll have to cook 2 ahead of time. I'll cook those to about 175, thrown them wrapped in a cooler with ice, then heat them up to temp tomorrow while the other 6 are cooking. At least most of it will be fresh.

Now time to battle the cold tonight. Supposed to be about 13 degrees.

 

[chef jimmyj]

The 2 two do ahead should be cooked all the way to probe tender, 205ish, then chilled and reheated. At 175 they won't pull and will need more cooking. Depending on the temp you use to finish, it could take as long as the Raw butts...JJ

 

[Richmond_Rukus]

The 2 two do ahead should be cooked all the way to probe tender, 205ish, then chilled and reheated. At 175 they won't pull and will need more cooking. Depending on the temp you use to finish, it could take as long as the Raw butts...JJ

OK. Will that method save as much, or more moisture? I was thinking of cooking past the stall in the smoker, icing, then finishing up to 200ish range in the oven. I was told that could take 6-8 hours in the oven at 225. But never really cooked ahead before. I just want to have them as moist as possible. I know it's inevitable. Going to lose some moisture.

Appreciate the advice

 

[chef jimmyj]

Pulled Pork reheats very well, especially with some added Finishing Sauce or Apple juice. Guys vac seal and reheat in simmering water. Or in a covered pan in a 300° oven. A Crock Pot or electric Roaster works great too. Any of these is less time than smoking to the stall and trying to finish in the oven. You can do this if you wish but 300-325° oven ,covered, will save several hours. Lots of options...JJ