Are you planning to cook pulled pork for a crowd but not sure how much to make? Look no further! I’ve got you covered with the ultimate guide to cooking enough pulled pork for any size group. Whether you’re cooking for 5, 10, 25, 50, or even 100 people, the ratio remains the same.
In this guide, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know to ensure you’re serving enough food. You’ll learn how much pulled pork you’ll need per person, which cut of pork to use, and important considerations when serving pulled pork for a crowd.
Plus, I’ll share tips on how to keep your pulled pork warm while cooking for a large group and how to store leftovers. Let’s get started!
How Much Pulled Pork Per Person
When preparing pulled pork for a crowd, it’s crucial to know the amount of raw pork to buy. This is because the raw pork shoulder loses around 30-40% of its weight during cooking, which varies slightly if you’re getting bone-in or boneless.
This is due to the melting of the fat and the evaporation and dehydration of the meat as it cooks. Note that you often add some liquid back at the pulling stage, such as apple juice and BBQ sauce.
If pulled pork is the main course and you’re only serving 1-3 sides, you want to have half a pound of COOKED pulled pork per person. To be on the safe side, allowing for second-serves and leftovers, you’ll want to go with 1 pound of raw pork per person to end up with at least half a pound of cooked pulled pork.
If you’re having pulled pork with 3+ sides, then you should have one third of a pound of cooked pulled pork per person. So, you’ll want roughly 0.66 pounds of raw pork per person to get one third of a pound of cooked pulled pork.
Here are the amounts of raw pork needed to serve cooked pulled pork for different group sizes:
How Much Pulled Pork For 5 People?
- With 1-3 Sides: 5 Pounds Of Raw Pork to serve at least 2.5 Pounds of Cooked Pulled Pork for 5 people.
- With 3+ Sides: 3.33 Pounds Of Raw Pork to serve at least 1.66 Pounds of Cooked Pulled Pork for 5 people.
How Much Pulled Pork For 10 People?
- With 1-3 Sides: 10 Pounds Of Raw Pork to serve at least 5 Pounds of Cooked Pulled Pork for 10 people.
- With 3+ Sides: 6.66 Pounds Of Raw Pork to serve at least 3.33 Pounds of Cooked Pulled Pork for 10 people.
How Much Pulled Pork For 25 People?
- With 1-3 Sides: 25 Pounds Of Raw Pork to serve at least 12.5 Pounds of Cooked Pulled Pork for 25 people.
- With 3+ Sides: 16.66 Pounds Of Raw Pork to serve at least 8.33 Pounds of Cooked Pulled Pork for 25 people.
How Much Pulled Pork For 50 People?
- With 1-3 Sides: 50 Pounds Of Raw Pork to serve at least 25 Pounds of Cooked Pulled Pork for 50 people.
- With 3+ Sides: 33.33 Pounds Of Raw Pork to serve at least 16.66 Pounds of Cooked Pulled Pork for 50 people.
How Much Pulled Pork For 100 People?
- With 1-3 Sides: 100 Pounds Of Raw Pork to serve at least 50 Pounds of Cooked Pulled Pork for 100 people.
- With 3+ Sides: 66.6 Pounds Of Raw Pork to serve at least 33.33 Pounds of Cooked Pulled Pork for 100 people.
How Much Pulled Pork Per Person For Sliders?
When it comes to pulled pork sliders, it’s important to make sure you have enough meat to satisfy your guests. As a general rule, you should prepare ⅓ of a pound of cooked pulled pork per person. However, this amount can be split depending on how many sliders each guest will be having.
Small Pulled Pork Sliders
For those bite-sized flavor bombs, you’ll want to pack each slider with 0.1 pounds of pulled pork. Guests will usually have 2-3 of these sliders each, depending on what else is on the menu. To prepare enough pulled pork for each guest, you’ll need 0.66 pounds of raw pork to make 0.33 pounds of cooked pulled pork, enough for 3 sliders per person.
Medium Pulled Pork Sliders
For your standard-sized slider, you’ll want to pack it with at least 0.15-0.2 pounds of pulled pork. Guests will usually have 2 of these sliders each, depending on how many other sides and foods are available. To be on the safe side, you’ll need 0.66 pounds of raw pork to make 0.33 pounds of cooked pulled pork assuming you are serving 2 medium sliders per person.
Large Pulled Pork Sliders
For larger pulled pork sandwiches, you’ll want to provide 0.33 pounds of cooked pulled pork per slider. If you’re making your slider the center of the dish, you’ll generally only need one larger slider per person. To prepare enough pulled pork for each guest, you’ll need 0.66 pounds of raw pork to make 0.33 pounds of cooked pulled pork for each guest.
Remember, it’s always better to have too much than too little when it comes to pulled pork sliders. By following these guidelines, you can ensure that your guests will be satisfied and happy with their meal.
Which Cut of Pork to Use for Pulled Pork
When it comes to preparing pulled pork, the cut of pork you choose plays a crucial role in determining the final outcome of the dish. Although you can use pork leg or neck, the most popular and traditional cuts come from the pork shoulder.
The pork shoulder is a large cut of pork that includes both the upper blade shoulder and the lower arm shoulder. You can buy the entire pork shoulder from a good butcher, but most butchers sell the top and bottom of the shoulder separately.
The top of the pork shoulder, also known as pork butt or Boston butt, is the most suitable cut for pulled pork. It is tender, savory, and marbled with fat, making it perfect for slow cooking.
The bottom half of the pork shoulder, called picnic shoulder ham or picnic ham, has less fat marbling, but it still produces great pulled pork. Both sections of the shoulder yield a generous amount of pulled pork, with only a 30-40% decrease in weight over the cooking process.
It is important to use the same cut of pork if you are cooking multiple pieces to ensure consistent results. Otherwise, you may end up with some tender and some tough pulled pork.
Serving Pulled Pork For A Crowd: Considerations
What Else You Will Be Serving
When serving pulled pork for a crowd, it’s important to consider what you will be serving it with. If you plan to serve starchy, filling sides like fries or garlic bread, your guests may be less likely to come back for seconds.
Additionally, if you plan to serve other meats like hot dogs, burgers or brisket, not everyone will have a serving of pulled pork. On the other hand, if you’re just serving pulled pork as the star by itself, maximize your pork production so everyone gets enough to eat.
Lastly, if you plan to serve dessert, consider cutting back on pulled pork servings so your guests have room for something sweet.
Time Of Day
The time of day you plan to serve pulled pork also plays a role in how much you’ll need. If you’re serving pulled pork in the morning, your guests may not be up for a big meal. However, if you serve pulled pork for lunch or dinner, your guests will likely be more hungry and ready for a hearty meal.
What’s The Occasion?
The occasion you’re hosting also affects how much pulled pork you’ll need. For a casual barbecue, your guests won’t eat as much as they would at a sit-down dinner or for a big game.
They’ll be busy walking around and socializing. However, for a sit-down dinner, people come specifically to eat, so you’ll need more pulled pork and sides to keep everyone happy. Consider placing a big order at the butcher shop so you have plenty of meat for your guests.
Who Are Your Guests?
Knowing your guests is important when serving pulled pork for a crowd. Some guests have bigger appetites than others, so you may need to reconsider portion sizes.
If you’re serving children instead of adults, you’ll need less meat. However, if you’re serving a sports team, they’ll likely be hungry after working out and spending all day in the sun.
Allow for Second’s or Third’s
It’s important to account for second servings when serving pulled pork for a crowd. Some guests may not go back for seconds, while others may take more than their fair share.
To ensure everyone has enough to eat, add a little wiggle room to your portion sizes. Additionally, make sure you have plenty of meat so people can get two or three meals out of your barbecue. It will make it much more memorable!
When serving pulled pork for a crowd, keep in mind what else you’ll be serving, the time of day, the occasion, who your guests are, and allow for second servings. By considering these factors, you can ensure everyone has enough to eat and enjoys the meal.
How To Keep Pulled Pork Warm When Cooking For Crowds
When cooking for a large group of people, it’s crucial to keep pulled pork warm to prevent it from becoming dry and chewy. There are a couple of ways you can do this.
One option is to use a crockpot. Simply load the pulled pork into the crockpot and turn it on low. This method ensures that the pork stays at a safe temperature, preventing bacterial growth and keeping the meat hot, tender, and juicy.
Guests can either serve themselves from the crockpot or you can portion it out for them. Just make sure you have access to electricity so you can keep the crockpot plugged in.
Another intuitive option is to wrap the pork in foil and then in a towel, and place it in a cooler. This method can keep the meat warm for hours, making it an ideal choice for large gatherings. For added insulation, cover the foil-wrapped pork with clean towels.
This is a common method for resting meat when cooking pork roast or smoked pulled pork, and it can be used for almost all other pork or beef cuts, including serving beef tri-tip to crowds.
Overall, these two methods are reliable and effective ways to keep pulled pork warm when cooking for crowds.
How To Store Pulled Pork Leftovers
When it comes to storing pulled pork leftovers, there are three main options to choose from depending on how long you plan to store it.
Room Temperature
If you plan to store your pulled pork at room temperature, wrap it in tinfoil and place it in a cooler. Cover the cooler with blankets to keep the meat warm. However, this method is only recommended for a few hours, so make sure to use a meat thermometer to ensure that the meat remains at a safe temperature.
Short-term Storage (Fridge)
For short-term storage, seal the pulled pork in an airtight container or plastic zip-lock bag and store it in the fridge. This method will keep the meat fresh for a few days, but it’s important to eat it as soon as possible to avoid spoilage. Roasted or smoked pulled pork meat can be stored in the fridge for up to 3-4 days.
Long-term Storage (Freezer)
For long-term storage, wrap the pulled pork in aluminum foil and place it in a freezer bag. If possible, vacuum seal the bag to prevent bacterial growth and freezer burn. Store the pulled pork in the freezer and defrost it whenever you’re ready to eat. Keep in mind that while pulled pork can be stored in the freezer for up to six months (or longer), it will gradually lose its quality over time. It’s recommended to eat it within 3 months for the best taste.
By following these tips, you can ensure that your pulled pork leftovers are stored properly and remain safe to eat.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much pulled pork do I need for 25 people?
If you are serving pulled pork as the main dish, you will need approximately 8-10 pounds of pork. This will provide each person with a serving size of 1/3 to 1/2 pound.
How much pulled pork for 50 people?
For a group of 50 people, you will need around 16-20 pounds of pulled pork. This will provide each person with a serving size of 1/3 to 1/2 pound.
How much pulled pork for 100 people?
If you are catering to a large crowd of 100 people, you will need approximately 32-40 pounds of pulled pork. This will provide each person with a serving size of 1/3 to 1/2 pound.
How much pulled pork for 6 adults?
If you are serving a small group of 6 adults, you will need around 2-3 pounds of pulled pork. This will provide each person with a serving size of 1/3 to 1/2 pound.
How much pulled pork for 20 people?
For a group of 20 people, you will need approximately 6-8 pounds of pulled pork. This will provide each person with a serving size of 1/3 to 1/2 pound.
How much pulled pork per sandwich?
If you are serving pulled pork sandwiches, you will need approximately 1/6 to 1/4 pound of pulled pork per sandwich. This will provide a hearty sandwich for your guests.
