How many ribs to smoke?

[trundle888]

So I'm smoking baby backs and beef ribs for a dinner party of 8 people. How many racks of baby backs and how many beef ribs should I do, the beef are cut into slabs of 3 or 4 bones.
I was thinking maybe 2 racks of baby backs and 4 4 bone slabs of beef, but I'd hate for there not to be enough.
What you guys think?
Thanks
Trundle

 

[noboundaries]

I was at a BBQ party this past Sunday.  Menu was BBs, tri tip, hot links, beans, and potato salad.  Pot luck for desserts.  About 20 people were present, mostly adults (one child and one teenager). 

There were some big eaters there, but I was surprised that no one heaped their plate.  Host had 8 racks of BBs, two 3.5 lb tri tips, probably 20 hot links, big pot of beans (about a gallon) and big bowl of potato salad (about a gallon and a half).

Folks put two or three BB bones on their plate, a couple slices of tri tip (maybe 2-3 oz), beans and potato salad.  Only a few folks ate the hot links, and most (like me) were only eating half a link. 

Everything was absolutely delicious and well smoked, but the host was sending meat home with people.  Almost all the beans and potato salad were consumed.   

If your beef bones are VERY meaty, like full short ribs, you've got plenty with your sides. 

 

[trundle888]

Thanks no boundaries.
We are doing fries, Mac and cheese, potato salad and coleslaw. Will also be doing bacon wrapped chicken thigh to start. I guess when you think about sides and started it should be more than enough.

 

[cksteele]

well last year i did  a bbq  for my family there were 10 adults and 2 children i did  3 full  racks  of spares  and about half dozen  sausages with a big bowl  of potato salad  and coleslaw and a corn salad and  actually had leftovers 

 

[sauced]

I agree....if the beef and bb are meaty then what you are planning should do.

BUT....nothing wrong with left over smoked ribs!!!!

 

[browneyesvictim]

If all 8 people want bb's and you have 2 racks, someone's going to have to arm wrestle. Same is true for the beef ribs. Overall it is enough food though. So the choice is if you want to hedge your bet with extra food knowing your guests will have ample choices, and you can plan on having leftovers or send home food with your guests. Are your guest bringing things as well?

On the other hand it really sickens me when I see so much wasted food at group get togethers. I mean the stuff people take and don't eat and goes straight in the garbage can. So many were never taught  to eat what you take and take only what you will eat.

 

[hardcookin]

Baby backs usually have 10-13 bones. I would figure 3-4 bones a person with all them sides your serving.