When you make pulled pork perfectly, it’s difficult to find another dish that can compare in terms of its taste and beauty. Pork is so versatile and can be enjoyed in so many ways, so it’s no wonder it’s such a popular dish. Pork shoulder is a cut of meat from the shoulder blade of a pig. Whether you’re cooking it up in a slow cooker or barbecuing it on the grill, there’s no wrong way to enjoy some good pulled pork.
You’ll never get enough of that melting sensation when you taste its saucy flavor. If you’re a meat lover, pulled pork is a great choice because it’s so good!
Planning a party and need to know how much pork to buy? Look no further! We’ll show you how much pulled pork you’ll need for 40 people.
How Much Pulled Pork Per Person
How many people does a pound of pulled pork feed?
If you’re serving pulled pork as the main dish at a gathering, the standard rule of thumb is to plan on about one-third of a pound to one-half pound of meat per person. This amount will provide enough pork serving for everyone, and will not be too heavy or dense. A whole butt can weigh 10 pounds, which is enough to make around 30 sandwiches.
It’s a good idea to buy an extra couple of pounds of meat if you think you might have surprise guests or if you know you have big eaters or who have bigger appetites.
If pulled pork is the main feature of the meal and the gathering is during the day, there are a lot of children (who shall eat smaller portions), or there will be a wide variety of side dishes, you might be able to get away with serving a bit less pulled pork.
Best Cut Of Meat For Pulled Pork
Pork shoulder is the best cut of meat for pulled pork because it has a high fat content which creates flavorful, tender meat. Slow cooking will help the protein to break down properly.
Pork shoulder is normally used to make pulled pork by using the top half portion which is also known as Boston butt.
How Much Raw Pork To Buy
Conservatively, raw pork will reduce half of its weight during preparation and cooking process.
For instance, if you purchase raw 10-pound pork shoulder, you can expect it to yield approximately 5 pounds of cooked pulled pork ready to serve.
You will need to purchase 30-pound of raw pork from the butcher’s shop or grocery store to feed 40 people. You will need to buy around twice the amount of raw meat to end up with the desired 1/3 lb of pulled pork serving per person.
Decide On Your Side Dishes
A very important step in determining how much pulled pork for 40 people you’ll need is deciding what side dishes you’ll serve. Some popular options include coleslaw, macaroni and cheese, and baked beans. Once you’ve chosen your sides, you can begin to figure out how much meat you’ll need. If you’re going to serve more than 2 side dishes, you might be able to get away with serving a bit less of pulled pork.
Roast The Pork In A Slow Cooker
Pulled pork is a popular food that can be made in a slow cooker. This pork roast method will cook the pork for 8 to 10 hours, yielding tender and delicious pork.
Ideal Internal Temperature To Pull Pork Butt
When the digital readout says that the temperature has reached 160 degrees Fahrenheit, it is not the time yet to take the pork butt off the smoker. You want to make sure that all the lovely pork fat has had a chance to render out, which will make your job easier when it’s time to shred the meat.
Cook the pork butt until the internal temperature reaches 195 degrees Fahrenheit. The pork will continue to cook during the resting period, which will bring it up to around the ideal temperature of 200 degrees. The meat will be so tender by then that it will start to fall apart when you prod it with a fork at this temperature.
Pull The Pork And Serve
Once the pork is pulled, it is time to serve. Some people like to serve the pork on a bun with some BBQ sauce, others like to put it on a plate and top it with some of the pulled pork juices.
How To Store Leftovers
You can store your leftovers in any airtight container, with a well-sealed lid. A plastic freezer bag will also work. Restore as much of the juices as possible to keep the pork moist so it’ll be easier to reheat later.
If you want to keep your pulled pork fresh, seal it in a container and place it in the fridge or freezer. If you refrigerate it, it will be good for 36 to 48 hours. If you freeze it, it will be good for up to three months.
Ideas For Leftovers
If you find yourself with pulled pork leftovers, don’t fret. There are plenty of ways to use them up. Here are a few of our favorites:
- Add pulled pork to a salad.
- Use pulled pork as a filling for burritos or enchiladas.
- Make pulled pork pizza.
- Pulled pork leftovers can be mixed with your favorite barbecue sauce and served on bulkie rolls topped with coleslaw and crispy fried onions.
Pork Recipe
When deciding on a pork recipe, there are a few things to consider. The type of pork, the spices, and the cooking time are all important factors.
Generally, you’ll want to cook the pork for around 3 to 4 hours, but it will depend on the cut of pork and how hot it is cooked. Pork shoulder is a fatty cut that can easily dry out, so you’ll want to cook it slowly to ensure that it doesn’t. Other cuts, like pork butt or pork loin, can be cooked in a shorter time period without sacrificing flavor.
The most popular pork recipes are barbecued pork, pulled pork, and pork chops. There are many different ways to cook these dishes, so it is important to choose the right recipe for your needs.
Barbecued pork is best cooked on a grill or over an open flame. This recipe calls for using a wood or charcoal grill, but you can also use a stovetop or oven. If you are planning on smoking pork shoulder, be sure to check out the best woods to use.
If you’re looking for a dish that will feed a large crowd, then you’ll want to try this pulled pork recipe. You can either use a slow cooker or stovetop, but whichever method you choose, be sure to follow the recipe closely. The end result will be delicious pulled pork that’s perfect for enjoying on hamburger buns or in sandwiches.
Pulled Pork Sandwich Recipe
Ingredients:
-1 pork shoulder (3-4 lbs)
-1 tablespoon olive oil
-2 teaspoons garlic powder
-1 teaspoon onion powder
-1 teaspoon smoked paprika
-1 teaspoon cumin
-1/2 teaspoon salt
-1/4 teaspoon black pepper
-8 slices American or cheddar cheese
-8 thin bread slices
-lettuce leaves or other fresh vegetables, for topping (optional)
-add brown sugar if you prefer sweeter
Instructions:
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Rub pork shoulder generously with olive oil, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, cumin, salt and black pepper. Wrap the pork shoulder tightly with a few sheets of aluminum foil. Place it on a baking sheet and then bake it for 45 minutes.
- Remove it from the oven, and let it rest for about 10 minutes. Slice pork thinly against the grain and assemble the pork sandwiches with cheese, thin bread slices and any desired toppings (lettuce leaves or vegetables).
Frequently Asked Questions
How Much Pulled Pork For 6 Adults
For a gathering of 6 adults and with less than 3 side dishes :
5.4 pounds of raw pork will yield about 2.7 pounds of pulled pork.
For a gathering of 6 adults and with 3 or more side dishes :
3.6 pounds of raw pork will yield about 1.8 pounds of pulled pork.
How Much Pulled Pork For 10 People
For a gathering of 10 people and with less than 3 side dishes :
9 pounds of raw pork will yield about 4.5 pounds of pulled pork.
For a gathering of 10 people and with 3 or more side dishes :
6 pounds of raw pork will yield about 3 pounds of pulled pork.
How Much Pulled Pork For 12 Adults
For a gathering of 12 adults and with less than 3 side dishes :
10.8 pounds of raw pork will yield about 5.4 pounds of pulled pork.
For a gathering of 12 adults and with 3 or more side dishes :
7.2 pounds of raw pork will yield about 3.6 pounds of pulled pork.
How Much Pulled Pork For 15 Adults
For a gathering of 15 adults and with less than 3 side dishes :
13.5 pounds of raw pork will yield about 6.8 pounds of pulled pork.
For a gathering of 15 adults and with 3 or more side dishes :
9 pounds of raw pork will yield about 4.5 pounds of pulled pork.
How Much Pulled Pork For 20 People
For a gathering of 20 people and with less than 3 side dishes :
18 pounds of raw pork will yield about 9 pounds of pulled pork.
For a gathering of 20 people and with 3 or more side dishes :
12 pounds of raw pork will yield about 6 pounds of pulled pork.
How Much Pulled Pork For 25 People
For a gathering of 25 people and with less than 3 side dishes :
22.5 pounds of raw pork will yield about 11.3 pounds of pulled pork.
For a gathering of 25 people and with 3 or more side dishes :
15 pounds of raw pork will yield about 7.5 pounds of pulled pork.
How Much Pulled Pork For 40 People
For a gathering of 40 people and with less than 3 side dishes :
36 pounds of raw pork will yield about 18 pounds of pulled pork.
For a gathering of 40 people and with 3 or more side dishes :
24 pounds of raw pork will yield about 12 pounds of pulled pork.
How Much Pulled Pork For 50 People
For a gathering of 50 people and with less than 3 side dishes :
45 pounds of raw pork will yield about 22.5 pounds of pulled pork.
For a gathering of 50 people and with 3 or more side dishes :
30 pounds of raw pork will yield about 15 pounds of pulled pork.
How Much Pulled Pork For 100 People
For a gathering of 100 people and with less than 3 side dishes :
90 pounds of raw pork will yield about 45 pounds of pulled pork.
For a gathering of 100 people and with 3 or more side dishes :
60 pounds of raw pork will yield about 30 pounds of pulled pork.
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re planning a large party or just want to make a big batch of pulled pork, we’ve got you covered!
In general, for lunch, allow five to six ounces of boneless meat per person. If you’re serving dinner to a crowd, plan on around six to eight ounces of cooked pulled pork.
Enjoy!
