How Much Pulled Pork for 20 People? [SERVING SIZE GUIDE]

Barbecuing for a massive crowd can be challenging at times.

Nobody wants to be embarrassed by not being able to serve their diners or having a large number of leftovers.

However, regardless of the size of your party, with some simple math and the right food preparation recipe, you will always be able to fully satisfy your guests!

This calculation yields approximately 6 kilos of pulled pork for each person.

The amount per serving will also be determined by the number of side dishes, the number of children attending the party, the amount of alcohol consumed, the time of both the event and several other factors.

If you’re planning a big occasion, pulled pork can be a great crowd-pleaser without breaking the bank.

With a little forethought and knowledge of the science of roasting, you can always ensure that there is enough pork for everyone.

All there is to know about the portion sizes of pulled pork for 20 people is right here. 

How Much Pulled Pork Per Person?

‘6 ounces or roughly two normal servings of finished meat per person’ is a good rule of thumb for pulled pork serving size.

This calculation applies only to finished meat because cooked meat weighs roughly half as much as raw pork or roughly 40% of the initial mass.

During the cooking process, a great deal of moisture and other juices evaporate.

Because the weight of sauces and condiments is so small, they do not contribute to the total weight.

Here’s a graph comparing how much-pulled pork you’ll need (in pounds): 

And now for the children:

How Much Pulled Pork for 20 People? 

If you’re hosting a large gathering, like a block party or birthday dinner for 20 people, one of the best dishes to make is pulled pork.

It’s flavorful, easy to prepare, and can feed plenty of hungry mouths. But how much do you really need? How many pounds of pork should you buy?

But that’s not all! Other factors also matter when deciding how much pulled pork per person at your particular gatherings, such as side dishes, the number of children present, alcohol consumption, and time of day!

To help lay out an exact game plan for prepping your pulled pork feast, let’s explore exactly how much meat is ideal for feeding 20 people with ease!

How Much Pulled Pork Per Person?
Figuring out how much pulled pork to make per person can be a tricky task.

Too much and you’re stuck with leftovers for days; too little and your guests will feel unsatisfied.

To make sure everyone gets their fill, aim for about 6.75 pounds of food (including side dishes and other accompaniments) per person.

This is the ideal amount for a standard meal, but the amount can increase if you’re serving pulled pork as an appetizer or part of an entree rather than on its own.

If you’re hosting a more casual event—say, a picnic or barbecue—adjust accordingly by planning ahead so that everyone gets enough to eat.

Here’s a graph comparing how much-pulled pork you’ll need (in pounds):

And now for the children:

A Simple Formula for Buying Raw Pork

1- Boneless

When cooking boneless cuts of pork shoulder, a good general rule is to estimate 1/3 pound of cooked pulled pork per guest.

Remember that after the cooking process, the pork will weigh nearly half its original weight.

So if you’re looking for four servings of pulled pork, you’ll need to begin with around 2 pounds of raw, uncooked pork shoulder.

Here’s the basic formula:

Example: Let’s say you’re roasting a pork shoulder for 24 people.

If you want to ensure each guest receives an adequate amount, multiply that number by 2.

This means that when roasting pork shoulders for 24 people, you will need to purchase 16 servings worth of raw pork.

[ 24 x 1/3 ] = 8 pounds of meat to serve; 8 x 2 = 16 pounds of raw pork needed

[ 24 x 1/3 ] x 2 = 16 pounds of raw pork needed

2- Bone-In

When it comes to bone-in cuts, the formula of cooked meats may need a slight tweak.

For accurate measurements, one pound of raw pork shoulder per person should do just fine.

This accounts for respective shrinkage and other factors like weight from the bone as well as extra fat.

Using the same example above, here is the formula in action:

[ Guests x 1/2 ] x 2 = Pounds of Raw Pork Needed

How Much Pulled Pork For 20 People?

Feeding 20 people can be quite a challenge, especially finding the right amount of pulled pork for everyone.

To make sure you don’t end up with not enough or too much for your party’s needs, it is important to understand the serving size guidelines first.

Generally speaking, a good rule of thumb to follow when determining how much pulled pork for 20 people is 6 ounces per person, considering that some might have second servings.

While this may seem like a lot initially, this method ensures that everyone is going to get an ample portion of what they came for!

How Much Pulled Pork For 20 People With Side Dishes?

Depending on the variety of side dishes that accompany your pulled pork, each person should be given a different amount in order to ensure an optimal meal.

For instance, if you are serving one side dish, it is best to give four ounces of pulled pork per person for a total of 80 ounces or five pounds.

However, in the case that three side dishes accompany the pulled pork, each person should be allotted three ounces instead so that everyone still gets enough food but can have some of all dishes present.

This will make for around 60 ounces or nearly four pounds if twenty people are attending the event.

How Is Pulled Pork Obtained?

Pulled pork is a popular barbeque dish made from pulled pieces of succulent, smoked pork shoulder.

This meal is normally prepared slow and low, requiring long and careful cooking over low temperatures to dissolve tough tendons and ligaments in the meat while ensuring all ingredients come together just right.

As the meat slowly cooks and becomes tender, it can then be pulled apart using two forks or your hands in order to create bite-size pieces.

The smell of pulled pork as it comes off the grill will have you coming back for more!

Factors That Could Increase Pulled Pork Serving Size 

1- The Type Of Meat Used: 

If you’re working with a leaner cut of meat, such as pork tenderloin, you may need to increase the serving size to ensure that everyone is satisfied.

On the other hand, if you’re using a fattier cut of meat, such as pork shoulder, you might be capable of running away with it a smaller serving size.

2- The Cooking Method: 

The way you cook the pork can also affect the serving size. For example, if you’re slow-cooking the pork, it will shrink less than if you were to roast it.

This means that you’ll need to increase the serving size if you’re slow-cooking the pork.

3- The Number Of People Being Served: 

If you’re going to feed a large group, you’ll definitely need to prepare more food than if you were only feeding a few people.

This means that you’ll need to increase the serving size of pulled pork when feeding a large group.

4- The Appetite Of Those Being Served: 

Some people have heartier appetites than others. If you’re feeding someone with a hearty appetite, they may want more food than someone with a smaller appetite.

This means that you’ll need to adjust the serving size accordingly.

5- The Side Dishes Being Served: 

The side dishes you serve with pulled pork can also affect the serving size.

For example, if you’re serving pulled pork with rice and beans, you may be able to get away with a smaller serving size than if you were only serving it with a salad.

6- The Time Of Day: 

People consume more food at dinner compared to what they consume at lunch.

This means that you’ll need to adjust the serving size of pulled pork depending on whether it’s being served for lunch or dinner.

7- The Occasion: 

If pulled pork is being served for a special occasion, such as a holiday or birthday party, people may be more inclined to eat more than they would on a regular day.

This means that you should increase the serving size when serving pulled pork for a special occasion

How To Store Leftover Pulled Pork?

Even if you do your math correctly, there may be times when you have left to eat pulled pork.

However, these savory leftovers do not have to go to waste and may be put to use in a variety of ways.

For example, you can incorporate pulled pork into a curry, soup, or stew to enhance the flavor of the dish.

You can also use them to make salads, nachos, slaw burgers, and sandwiches.

Keep them in the freezer for long-term storage.

You can always adjust the serving size based on your guests.

Remember that the calculations above are only an average, and only perception and mastery can certainly assist you to get the perfect serving size of pork belly every time you consider inviting your guests.

Leftover pulled pork can be kept in the fridge for three to four days. To store it correctly, the best course of action is to put the meat in an airtight container and refrigerate it immediately after it has cooled.

You can enhance the flavor of a curry, soup, or stew by adding pulled pork bits to the mixture.

This will give the dish a unique and delicious texture.

You could also include them in a salad, or you could make nachos, slaw burgers, and sandwiches with them.

If you plan on consuming the pork within a couple of days after cooking, you may simply store it in its original packaging.

Reheating leftover pulled pork is easy and should also be done with caution, as it can easily dry out and become tough.

When reheating, use low-medium heat and keep stirring until it’s warmed through.

As with all cooked food, do not leave it at room temperature for long periods of time; bacteria will start to grow quickly!

To maximize freshness when storing leftover pulled pork, make sure to completely cool down the food and transfer it into an airtight container as soon as possible.

How Much Pulled Pork Per Person Kg?

Generally, one kilogram is enough for four people if it is served as a main dish.

If served as part of multiple courses, you can go for about 500 to 600 grams for each person.

However, if there are big eaters around, you may want to consider adding an extra kilogram or two to make sure everybody gets enough food!

Key Takeaways

You should strive to serve in the following ways, as a general rule of thumb:

• One-third of an ounce and a half of cooked pulled pork for each adult.
• Each youngster should get 1/4 pound of cooked pulled pork.
• These numbers are dependent on how the pork will be served, what it will be served with, and the occasion for which it will be served.
• You are going to need to purchase more raw pork than this because there is a possibility that you will lose more than forty percent when preparing and cooking it.

Quick Answers

How Much Pulled Pork For 10 Adults?

Ten adults x 2/3 ≈ 7.5 pounds of raw pork

How Much Pulled Pork For 20 People?

13.5 pounds of raw pork x 20 guests

How Much Pulled Pork For 25 People?

17 pounds of raw pork x 25 guests

How Much Pulled Pork Do You Need For 30 People?

30 guests divided by two-thirds equals 20 pounds of uncooked pork

How Much Pulled Pork For 40 People?

40 guests divided 27 pounds of uncooked pork

How Much Pulled Pork For 50 People?

50 guests divided by two-thirds equals 33.5 pounds of raw pork

How Much Pulled Pork For 100 People?

100 guests divided by two-thirds equals 67 pounds of raw pork

How Much Pulled Pork For 150 People?

150 guests divided by two-thirds equals 100 pounds of raw pork.

How Much Pulled Pork For 200 People?

133.5 pounds of raw pork divided by 200 guests

Final Thoughts

With all of these factors to consider, it’s tough to say exactly how much-pulled pork you’ll need to serve 20 people.

A sensible guideline is to estimate 6.75 pounds of cooked meat and 13.25 pounds of raw meat per person.

This should give you enough leeway to account for other dishes, children, and alcohol consumption.

And remember, the time of day your party is also important! If it’s during the lunch hour, guests may want more food than if it were late at night.

So when in doubt, err on the side of caution and make a little extra pulled pork!