How much meat for 70 people (mostly men)?

[valien]

Hi all,

I am doing a smoke for about 70 folks. Mostly men. Will have sides along with the pulled pork. I'm thinking about 20-25lb's of shoulders/butts. Will that be enough?

Smoking this on my WSM 19.5.

Thoughts?

 

[atomicsmoke]

At a 50% yield you end up with aprox 12lbs of cooked meat. That's not even a 1/4lb/person. Unless everyone eats pulled pork in a bun along with the sides you will need at least double that quantity.

 

[dirtsailor2003]

If serving with sides you need to figure 1/3 pound per person minimum. As mentioned figure around 50% loss. At a 1/3 pound per person you are looking at needing 23-24 pounds of finished product. So around 50 pounds of raw meat.

Pulled pork is great reheated so doing your smoke in batches is fine.

 

[mfreel]

I use 1/4 pound per person as a general rule.  But if you're a great cook and they're hungry...1/3  pound might be what you want.

I agree with the 50% loss.  I've weighed some past butts and I've had about 40% loss.

 

[SmokinAl]

Yep for 70 people, what Case said 40-50lbs of meat.

Al

 

[valien]

Appreciate the info! Yeah I'll have to do it in batches then since my WSM can only hold 20-25 I think (never maxed it out before). 

Very helpful.

 

[chef jimmyj]

" Mostly Men " 1/4 Pound per? Only if you want hungry folks hitting Micky D's after the party and talking Smack about you...

Here is the math...

70 People X 6oz servings (Men) = 420oz Pulled Pork / 16 (oz per Lb) = 26.25Lb / .5 yield(50% loss) = 52.5Lb Raw Pork needed.

Yield is typically better than 50% but this way there is about a 10% Pad in case folks eat heavy or unexpected numbers show up...

Also figure 1.5 Buns per person. Some guys will have two sammies, especially if this is a casual event. Folks are shy at weddings but eat well at picnics and parties. Good luck...JJ