How much meat should I buy for a party of 40 people?!


Question:

How much meat should I buy for a party of 40 people?


Answers:
4 ounces per person TOTAL of all combined meats. That is of course considering that you are serving several other items.

Source(s):
20 years Restaurant and Banquet Manager

Go at least 4 oz. per person. I don't know how many meats you're serving or if it's an appetizer or not. Otherwise 4 oz. is a general guideline.

what type of meat are you thinking about serving?

40 pounds.

if you know all the people then maybe lb of meat per person. different kinds of meat can make up the lb. whats most important is what ever you buy be sure you like it. any leftovers can be saved in the freezer. lol :)

Enough for 5 dozen people just incase if someone wanted seconds.

Usually you purchase 1/2 pound per person. Some people will eat more and some less. The catering rule is 1/2 pound per person though.

Caterers go with 1/2 lb person and know there will be leftovers. You will be very safe with that rule of thumb. Some people will eat one lb, and others will just nibble at 1/4 lb, so it does balance out.

in all actuallity, caterers go with 1/4 lb per person, not 1/2 as a few ppl stated above, and it usually tends to work out pretty even.

so for about 40 ppl. around 10 lbs
but id buy another 3 or 4 just for emergencies

Whether you go 1/4 lb or 1/2 lb per person, keep in mind men will eat more than women, if they are all men(especially single men they will eat like no one will cook for them tomorrow). So you may want to go at least 1/2 to be sure there will be extra. Men also tend to eat more meat than women, women will eat the salads & desserts & "taste things" guys will eat what they know what it is & know they like it.
I always buy more than enough & if I have to send some home with a friend or freeze some, then at least I know I had enough & a good party.
Where I used to work we did monthly parties at a different persons house each month for the co-workers & spouses. The one who had the party at their house supplied the meat for about 30-50 people(i did mine for July 4th) so I supplied the meats(offered variety, some brought children too) condiments, paper plates, plastic silverware, & bread & ice, everyone else brought a side dish or dessert or fruit. We all brought our own drinks & fireworks. We had different themes if there was a holiday that month. (We dressed up for Halloween) SOOOO much fun!!!

Lived in Colorado and we had cookouts everyother day for oddles of people.First off always buy more chicken then Beef.
Buy enough chicken so everyone can have at least 5 or more chicken wings.Its safe because its not really dark or white meat everyone likes wings.Buy 50 steaks..some people may eat two...
Personally if 40 people were coming I would just have a pig roast..much easier and you only need 1 pig.

I depends on what kind of meat you are talking about and how many side dishes will be available, but I would say about a half pound per person.




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