Juli 16, 2023 6 min read
Throwing a huge party can be a handful. Especially when you are trying to feed Boston butt to 100 people.
So,how many pounds of Boston butt to feed 100people?
Approximately 33 pounds of cooked or 66 pounds of raw Boston butt for 100 adults. Similarly, 25 pounds of cooked or 50 pounds of raw Boston butt for 100 children. On average, each adult usually needs around ⅓ pounds. And children generally require ¼ pounds of cooked pork per serving. Also, cooking causes at least 50% weight loss due to different reasons. Additionally, it’s better to get some extra just in case. Considering all that, you will need around 75-100 pounds of pork.
In the next sections, we will discuss more about this.
Source: BBQ Host
To feed 100 people, the amount of Boston butt needed is hard to figure out. But with some calculations, we can figure it out.
So, just to give you an idea, an adult person needs about ⅓ pounds of Boston butt per serving. For children, it’s a little less, which is ¼ pounds.
But that’s the weight of cooked pork. When you cook meat, it loses almost half of its weight. That’s because, during the cooking process, the high heat evaporates the water content in the meat. Additionally, the rendering of fat that occurs during cooking can contribute to weight loss as well.
On top of that, the heat causes the muscle fibers to contract, leading to a reduction in size. As the fibers contract, they squeeze out moisture and fat, resulting in additional weight loss.
Oh, and another thing, while prepping the meat, you will need to trim some extra fat. You need to take account of that too.
Also, you have to get some extra meat in case someone wanted seconds.
So, considering everything, here is a formula you can use-
(⅓ x number of adults) + (¼ x number of children) x 2 + X
Here, X denotes the amount of extra meat you will have to buy. It can be five pounds or ten pounds, totally depends on your judgment.
For your convenience, we made this chart calculating the amount of pork butts needed for different crowd sizes:
Number of Guests |
Raw Boston Butt Needed For Adults (lbs) |
Raw Boston Butt Needed For Children (lbs) |
Cooked Boston Butt Needed For Adults (lbs) |
Cooked Boston Butt Needed For Children (lbs) |
10 |
6.6 |
5 |
3.3 |
2.5 |
20 |
13.2 |
10 |
6.6 |
5 |
50 |
33 |
25 |
16.5 |
12.5 |
75 |
49.5 |
37.5 |
24.75 |
18.75 |
100 |
66 |
50 |
33 |
25 |
150 |
99 |
75 |
49.5 |
37.5 |
200 |
132 |
100 |
66 |
50 |
Consider the following factors when estimating the amount of Boston butt needed-
Individuals have varying appetites, so it's important to consider the average appetite of the guests. Some may have larger portions, while others may have smaller ones. It's advisable to gauge the appetite of your specific audience. Or, consider providing a slightly larger quantity to accommodate different preferences.
Consider the overall menu and other dishes that will be served alongside the Boston butt. The pork may be eaten in smaller portions if there are several protein options or substantial side dishes. On the other hand, if the Boston butt is the main attraction or there are limited alternatives, guests may consume larger portions.
Source: Spruce Eats
Take into account any dietary restrictions or preferences of the guests. For example, vegetarian or vegan diets, as they won't consume the Boston butt. Ensure that there are suitable alternative options available to accommodate these individuals.
The duration of the event can impact the quantity of Boston butt needed. If it's a shorter gathering, guests may consume more in a shorter period, requiring a larger quantity. Conversely, for longer events, guests might consume smaller portions over an extended period, reducing the overall quantity needed.
That’s because you have to serve a variety of foods during a longer event. Thus reducing the total amount of pork butt consumption.
Consider whether having leftovers is desirable or practical. Leftoverpulled pork can be used in various dishes, such as sandwiches, tacos, or salads. If having leftovers is welcomed, it may be preferable to prepare a slightly larger quantity.
To store leftover pork butts, you can follow these steps:
Source: Australian Meat Emporium
Since you're preparing and serving Boston butts for a crowd, here are some tips to help you:
The term "Boston butt" is misleading as it does not refer to the rear end of the pig. It was given because pork shoulders were packed in barrels called "butts" during colonial times. As a result, "Boston butt" became a common method of cutting and preparing the shoulder.
Bacon comes from various parts of the pig, including the belly, back, or sides. The specific cut of bacon depends on the region and preference. In the United Kingdom, back bacon is common, while in the United States, "streaky" bacon, which is cut from the pork belly, is more popular.
Ham is a cut of meat that comes from the hind legs of a pig. It can be prepared by salting, bringing, or smoking the meat. Salting helps preserve the ham by extracting moisture, allowing it to mature safely and develop rich flavors.
Well, now you know approximately how many pounds of Boston butt to feed 100 people. It is recommended to estimate a bit more than the approximate amount per person. Because of factors such as additional dishes and individual appetites. Planning accordingly will ensure that everyone is satisfied and well-fed.
Sign up to get the latest on sales, new releases and more …