Sometimes it’s hard to know how much food to prepare for a large crowd, especially if this is not a frequent occurrence. Below is guidance for some of the more common foods. Keep in mind that the amount may vary based on how many other dishes are being served and if it is a main dish or side dish.
| 12 Servings | 20 Servings | 30 Servings | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Meat | ||||
| fish (6-8 oz per person) | 5.5 lbs | 9 lbs | 13 lbs | |
| shrimp (1 lb raw, unpeeled/person or 6-8 oz peeled and cooked) | 12 lbs raw or 6 lbs cooked | 20 lbs raw or 9 lbs cooked | 30 lbs raw or 15 lbs cooked | |
| beef, pork, lamb (8 oz/person) | 6 lbs | 10 lbs | 15 lbs | |
| chicken (6 oz/person) | 4.5 lbs | 7.5 lbs | 12 lbs | |
| chicken pieces in stew or other dish (4 oz/person) | 3 lbs | 5 lbs | 7.5 lbs | |
| Pasta and grains | Yield per 1 cup dry | Amount needed for 12 servings (dry) | Amount needed for 20 servings (dry) | Amount needed for 30 servings (dry) |
| brown rice | 3 cups cooked | |||
| couscous (~ 1/2 c cooked/person) | 4 cups cooked | 1 1/2 cups | 2 1/2 cups | 3 3/4 cups |
| farro (~ 1/2 c cooked/person) | 3 cups cooked | 2 cups | 3 1/2 cups | 5 cups |
| pasta (3 0z dry / person) | 36 oz / 2 1/4 lbs | 4 lbs | 5 1/2 lbs | |
| polenta (~ 1/2 c cooked/person) | 2 1/2 cups cooked | 2 1/2 cups | 4 cups | 6 cups |
| quinoa (~ 1/2 c cooked/person) | 2 3/4 cups cooked | 2 cups | 3 1/2 cups | 5 cups |
| rice as a side dish (1/2 Cc cooked/person) | 3 cups cooked | 2 cups | 3 1/2 cups | 5 cups |
| rice as a main dish (1 c cooked /person) | 3 cups cooked | 4 cups | 6 3/4 cups | 10 cups |
| Pulses and beans | Yield per 1 cup dry | Amount needed for 12 servings (dry) | Amount needed for 20 servings (dry) | Amount needed for 30 servings (dry) |
| beans, canned (3.5 oz per person) (all kinds) | 3 cans (14 oz) | 5 cans (14 oz) | 7 1/2 cans (14 oz) | |
| beans, dried (1/2 c cooked/person) (all kinds) | 3 cups cooked | 2 cups | 3 1/2 cups | 5 cups |
| lentils, dried (1/2 c cooked/person) | 2 1/2 cups cooked | 2 1/2 cups | 4 cups | 6 cups |
| Desserts | ||||
| layered cake – round | 1 6″ cake | 1 8″ cake | 1 12″ cake | |
| sheet cake | 1/4 sheet cake | 1/4 sheet cake | ||
| dessert in pan | 1 9″ x 13″ pan | 2 9″ x 13″ pans | 3 9″ x 13″ pans | |
| whipping cream | 1 cup | 1 1/2 cups | 2 1/2 cups |