How Much Pulled Pork Per Person?
Pulled pork is the king of feeding a crowd. It's cheap, it's forgiving, and everybody likes it.
Here's the math:
- Serve: about 1/3 pound of cooked pulled pork per adult.
- Buy: about 2/3 pound of raw bone in pork butt per adult.
Why double? A bone in pork butt loses about half its weight to the bone, fat and moisture while it smokes.
Skip the math and run it in the calculator.
Pulled pork size chart
| Guests | Cooked pulled pork | Raw pork butt to buy | About how many butts |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 3.5 lb | 7 lb | 1 |
| 20 | 7 lb | 14 lb | 2 |
| 30 | 10 lb | 20 lb | 2 to 3 |
| 50 | 17 lb | 34 lb | 4 |
| 75 | 25 lb | 50 lb | 6 |
| 100 | 33 lb | 67 lb | 8 |
Most bone in pork butts run 7 to 10 pounds. One 8 pound butt feeds about 12 people.
Sandwiches vs plates
The kind of meal changes everything.
- Sandwiches with a bunch of sides: 1/4 pound cooked per person is plenty.
- Plates with a couple sides: 1/3 pound.
- Hungry crowd, no buns, pork is the star: 1/2 pound.
Buns: plan 1 per guest plus about 25% extra. People double up.
How long to smoke a pork butt
At 225°F to 250°F, plan on about 1.5 to 2 hours per pound. An 8 pound butt takes 12 to 16 hours.
It's ready to pull at 195°F to 205°F, when the bone wiggles loose and a probe slides in easy. Then rest it at least an hour wrapped up in a cooler.
Smoking more than one? They cook at the same time. Two 8 pound butts take about as long as one. They just need room on the grate.
Make it ahead
Pulled pork reheats better than almost any other smoked meat. Smoke it a day or two ahead, pull it, and store it with some of the juices. Warm it covered in a low oven or a slow cooker. Your guests will never know.
Pork butt vs pork shoulder
Same general area, different cut. Pork butt (also called Boston butt) sits higher up on the shoulder and has more marbling. That's the one you want for pulled pork. Picnic shoulder works too but has more skin and bone, so buy a little extra.
Serving brisket too?
When there are two meats, cut each one back to about 1/4 pound cooked per person. See our brisket per person guide for that side of the math.
FAQ
How much pulled pork do I need for 50 people?
For 50 people, plan about 17 pounds of cooked pulled pork. That means buying about 34 pounds of raw bone in pork butt.
How much pulled pork per person for sandwiches?
For sandwiches with sides, plan about 1/4 pound of cooked pulled pork per person.
How much does a pork butt shrink?
A bone in pork butt loses about half its raw weight after smoking and pulling.
How many people does an 8 pound pork butt feed?
An 8 pound bone in pork butt gives you about 4 pounds of pulled pork. That feeds about 12 people at 1/3 pound each.
How long does it take to smoke a pork butt?
At 225°F to 250°F, plan on about 1.5 to 2 hours per pound. An 8 pound butt takes 12 to 16 hours.