The Party Planner: Cooking for a Crowd

Chart of Food Estimates

November 12, 2021

How much do you need when you’re cooking for a crowd?

If you’re planning a big meal, these estimates can help you determine how much food you should buy.

They’re based on “average” servings; adjust quantities upward for extra-big eaters and downward if children are included.

FOOD	SERVE 25	SERVE 50	SERVE 100
Meats
Chicken or turkey breast	8–9 pounds	16–18 pounds	32–36 pounds
Fish (fillets or steaks)	7-1/2 pounds	15 pounds	30 pounds
Hamburgers	6-1/2–9-1/2 pounds	13–15 pounds	26–30 pounds
Ham or roast beef	10 pounds	20 pounds	40 pounds
Hot dogs	4 pounds	7 pounds	13 pounds
Meat loaf	6 pounds	12 pounds	24 pounds
Oysters	1 gallon	2 gallons	4 gallons
Pork	8–9 pounds	16–18 pounds	32–36 pounds
Miscellaneous
Bread (loaves)	3	5	10
Butter	3/4 pound	1–1/2 pounds	3 pounds
Cheese	3/4 pound	1–1/2 pounds	3 pounds
Coffee	3/4 pound	1–1/2 pounds	3 pounds
Milk	1–1/2 gallons	3 gallons	6 gallons
Nuts	3/4 pound	1–1/2 pounds	3 pounds
Olives	1/2 pound	1 pound	2 pounds
Pickles	1/2 quart	1 quart	2 quarts
Rolls	50	100	200
Soup	5 quarts	2–1/2 gallons	5 gallons
Side Dishes
Baked beans	5 quarts	2–1/2 gallons	5 gallons
Beets	7–1/2 pounds	15 pounds	30 pounds
Cabbage for cole slaw	5 pounds	10 pounds	20 pounds
Carrots	7–1/2 pounds	15 pounds	30 pounds
Lettuce for salad (heads)	5	10	20
Peas (fresh)	12 pounds	25 pounds	50 pounds
Potatoes	9 pounds	18 pounds	36 pounds
Potato salad	3 quarts	1–1/2 gallons	3 gallons
Salad dressing	3 cups	1–1/2 quarts	3 quarts
Desserts
Cakes	2	4	8
Ice cream	1 gallon	2 gallons	4 gallons
Pies	4	8	16
Whipping cream	1 pint	2 pints	4 pints