Cooking for...200?

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jspryor

Fire Starter
Original poster
Jul 9, 2008
42
10
Omaha, NE
So my sister-in-law is graduating from high school in a few weeks and her parents are throwing her a party...with 2 of her friends. They are expecting 200 people and have asked me (or maybe I enthusiastically volunteered) to smoke some pork butts to pull/chop.

Anyone have an recommendations on how many pounds of uncooked meet to make? I am thinking 70-80 pounds. As you know...left-overs aren't bad.

Thanks for your advice.

jsp
 
I do a 1/4 pound sammie which is plenty, so figure how many sammies ya wan't fer each person. I also figure 50% loss fer butts. So, for examination, lets say ya gonna make 300 sammies. Yer gonna need 75 pounds a cooked butt er 150 pounds a raw. Ya can adjust as yall thin yer gonna need. Some depends on ifin yer gonna have other big dish's to, an how these folk eat. Ya might get by with a sammie apiece, I always figure on a bit more then that though.

Now, I precook all mine, pull an add just a bit a finishin sauce, not to much cause it will keep breakin down the meat, ya can always add more when ya warm it up. I put mine inta vac bags an freeze. Thaw out in a big pot a boilin water, that is ta say, I bring the water ta a low boil, shut the heat off an add the bags a pig. Warm up ta at least 140*, then inta either roasters er shafer pans. I always keep a bit a liquid on hand ta add durin the gig case it starts ta dry. Ya can use apple juice fer this ifin ya likes.
 
Everything Trav has said is right on. He's got it all right for regular people.

You have 200 high school kids to feed. Not really regular people... in the sense that personally I'd double the amount of sandwiches. "Figure on a bit more....." And you better make a boatload of sides, too.

Not trying to scare you, but the adult consumption rule may not hold.

You don't want to cook up a bunch of real good food and fall way short. It is always better to have a bit left over that you can save.

Good luck to you and don't hesitate to ask for more help.
 
Thanks for the advice. I am write across the river in NE so I could translate.
smile.gif


Will let you know how it goes!!!
 
For what its worth I cooked a 135 lb whole pig for 200 people and there was very little left over, We have a pot luck style party so there was tons of other foods also such as cassaroles and chips. The year before I did briskets for the same party and did about 40 lbs, it was not enough. This year I plan on doing Butts, I was thinking around 75lbs of cooked meat should do it.
 
Yes, good luck and don't forget the Qview. Oh and I hope you didn't volunteer to get stuck with the tab as well.
 
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