How Many Pork Butts Should I Buy for My Gathering?

9 min read

Planning a gathering can be both exciting and daunting, especially when it comes to figuring out how many pork butts you should buy. Whether you’re hosting a backyard barbecue, a family reunion, or a community event, getting the quantity right is crucial. Too much, and you’ll be eating leftovers for weeks; too little, and you’ll leave your guests hungry and disappointed. As someone who’s planned a few shindigs myself, I’ve learned a thing or two about estimating the right amount of meat. So, let’s dive in and figure out exactly how many pork butts you need for your gathering.

When I first moved to Nashville from the Bay Area, I was blown away by the culinary scene here. The love for barbecue is real, and pork butt is a staple. Whether you’re serving pulled pork sandwiches, tacos, or just a big platter of smoked pork, knowing how much to buy can make or break your event. So, let’s break it down step by step.

Understanding Pork Butt Portions

Before we get into the nitty-gritty, it’s important to understand what a pork butt actually is and how much meat you can expect from it. Despite its name, pork butt comes from the shoulder of the pig, not the rear end. It’s a well-marbled cut that’s perfect for slow cooking, which is why it’s a favorite for pulled pork.

A typical pork butt weighs between 5 to 10 pounds. However, not all of that weight is usable meat. You’ll lose about 30-40% of the weight during cooking due to fat rendering and moisture loss. So, if you start with a 10-pound pork butt, you’ll end up with about 6 to 7 pounds of cooked meat.

Now, let’s talk portions. A good rule of thumb is to plan for about 1/3 to 1/2 pound of cooked pork per person. This can vary depending on your guests’ appetites and what else you’re serving, but it’s a solid starting point. So, if you’re expecting 20 guests, you’ll need about 6.5 to 10 pounds of cooked pork.

Factors to Consider

Number of Guests

The first and most obvious factor is the number of guests. The more people you have, the more pork butts you’ll need. But it’s not just about the headcount. You also need to consider the type of gathering and the eating habits of your guests.

Type of Gathering

Is this a sit-down dinner, a casual buffet, or a potluck where everyone brings a dish? The type of gathering can significantly affect how much meat you need. For a sit-down dinner, you might want to err on the side of generosity. For a potluck, you can probably get away with a bit less since there will be other food options.

Guest Appetites

Consider the appetites of your guests. If you’re hosting a bunch of hungry teenagers or athletes, you might want to plan for larger portions. On the other hand, if your guest list includes a lot of young kids or elderly folks, you can probably get away with smaller portions.

Other Food Options

What else are you serving? If pulled pork is the main event, you’ll need more of it. But if you’re also serving chicken, burgers, or other meat options, you can get away with less pork. Side dishes also play a role. Hearty sides like mac and cheese, baked beans, and coleslaw can help fill up your guests, reducing the amount of pork you need.

Calculating the Right Amount

Now that we’ve considered all the factors, let’s do some math. Remember, you’ll lose about 30-40% of the weight during cooking, and you want to plan for about 1/3 to 1/2 pound of cooked pork per person. So, here’s a simple formula to help you calculate:

(Number of Guests) x (0.33 to 0.5 pounds per person) = Total Pounds of Cooked Pork Needed

Then, to find out how much raw pork butt you need:

Total Pounds of Cooked Pork Needed / 0.6 = Total Pounds of Raw Pork Butt Needed

Let’s say you’re expecting 20 guests and you want to plan for 1/2 pound of cooked pork per person. Here’s how the math works out:

20 guests x 0.5 pounds per person = 10 pounds of cooked pork needed

10 pounds of cooked pork / 0.6 = 16.67 pounds of raw pork butt needed

So, you’d need about 17 pounds of raw pork butt to feed 20 guests. Since pork butts typically come in 5 to 10-pound sizes, you might want to buy two 10-pound pork butts to be on the safe side.

Buying and Preparing Pork Butt

Where to Buy

When it comes to buying pork butt, you have a few options. Local butchers are a great choice if you want high-quality, locally sourced meat. They can also help you with any specific cuts or sizes you need. Supermarkets and warehouse clubs like Costco are also good options, especially if you’re buying in bulk.

If you’re looking for commercial kitchen equipment to help with your cooking, Chef’s Deal is a fantastic choice. They offer a wide range of high-quality equipment at competitive prices.

Preparing Pork Butt

Once you’ve bought your pork butts, it’s time to prepare them. There are countless recipes and methods out there, but here’s a simple one to get you started:

  1. Rinse the pork butt and pat it dry with paper towels.
  2. Season the pork butt with your favorite rub. You can use a store-bought rub or make your own with ingredients like brown sugar, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
  3. Place the pork butt in a slow cooker or smoker. If you’re using a slow cooker, add a bit of liquid like apple juice or beer to keep the meat moist.
  4. Cook the pork butt low and slow. In a slow cooker, this means cooking on low for 8-10 hours. In a smoker, you’ll want to maintain a temperature of around 225°F for about 1.5 to 2 hours per pound.
  5. Once the pork butt is cooked, let it rest for about 30 minutes before pulling it apart with forks or bear claws.

Serving Pork Butt

Now that your pork butt is cooked and pulled, it’s time to serve it. Pulled pork is incredibly versatile and can be served in a variety of ways. Here are a few ideas:

  • Pulled Pork Sandwiches: Serve the pulled pork on buns with your favorite barbecue sauce and toppings like coleslaw, pickles, or onions.
  • Pulled Pork Tacos: Serve the pulled pork in tortillas with toppings like salsa, avocado, or sour cream.
  • Pulled Pork Nachos: Layer the pulled pork on top of tortilla chips with cheese, beans, and your favorite nacho toppings.
  • Pulled Pork Platter: Serve the pulled pork on a platter with a variety of sides like mac and cheese, baked beans, or cornbread.

Leftovers and Storage

If you end up with leftovers, don’t worry. Pulled pork freezes beautifully and can be used in a variety of dishes. Here are a few tips for storing leftovers:

  • Let the pulled pork cool to room temperature before storing it in the fridge or freezer.
  • Store the pulled pork in an airtight container. It will keep in the fridge for up to 4 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.
  • To reheat, thaw the pulled pork in the fridge overnight (if frozen) and then reheat it in the oven, on the stovetop, or in the microwave until heated through.

Tips and Tricks

Here are a few more tips and tricks to help you nail your pork butt game:

  • Don’t be afraid to ask your butcher for advice. They can help you choose the right cut and size for your needs.
  • Invest in a good meat thermometer. This will help you ensure that your pork butt is cooked to the perfect temperature (around 195°F to 205°F).
  • Don’t rush the cooking process. Low and slow is the name of the game when it comes to pork butt.
  • Feel free to experiment with different rubs, sauces, and cooking methods. There’s no one right way to make pulled pork, so have fun and find what works best for you.

Conclusion

So, there you have it. Everything you need to know about how many pork butts to buy for your gathering. Remember, the key is to consider the number of guests, the type of gathering, the appetites of your guests, and what else you’re serving. With a little planning and some simple math, you can ensure that you have just the right amount of delicious pulled pork for your guests.

And hey, if you end up with leftovers, that’s not a bad thing. Pulled pork is incredibly versatile and can be used in a variety of dishes. So, go ahead and buy that extra pork butt. Your future self will thank you.

FAQ

Q: How much pulled pork should I plan for per person?
A: A good rule of thumb is to plan for about 1/3 to 1/2 pound of cooked pork per person. This can vary depending on your guests’ appetites and what else you’re serving, but it’s a solid starting point.

Q: How much weight does a pork butt lose during cooking?
A: You’ll lose about 30-40% of the weight during cooking due to fat rendering and moisture loss. So, if you start with a 10-pound pork butt, you’ll end up with about 6 to 7 pounds of cooked meat.

Q: Where is the best place to buy pork butt?
A: Local butchers are a great choice if you want high-quality, locally sourced meat. Supermarkets and warehouse clubs like Costco are also good options, especially if you’re buying in bulk.

Q: How should I store leftover pulled pork?
A: Let the pulled pork cool to room temperature before storing it in the fridge or freezer. Store the pulled pork in an airtight container. It will keep in the fridge for up to 4 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.

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    title   = {How Many Pork Butts Should I Buy for My Gathering?},
    author  = {Chef's icon},
    year    = {2025},
    journal = {Chef's Icon},
    url     = {https://chefsicon.com/how-many-pork-butts-should-i-buy-for-my-gathering/}
}

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