Cooking for the 4Th of July

If you are going to shred the pork for sandwiches I would not get pork tenderloins. Too expensive for just a shredded pork sandwich.
Use a pork shoulder or a pork butt. I have done that. I do it in my crock pot then shred it.

Ask the butcher.

Don't do pork tenderloin for pulled pork.

The best pulled pork is from a butt or shoulder roast.

How about calling a local good BBQ restaurant and get an idea of the amount you may need for that many guests. Some guests may make a sandwich with 1/3# meat but others may forgo the bun and eat way more. I'd go heavier with pulled pork.

I think a large crockpot of sloppy joes is great but I'd still offer a chicken option. Maybe bbq chicken as well. A crockpot of Joes and maybe 50-100 BBQ wings or so.

If you do all 3 meats, of course you would do less amounts on each, not like huge amounts of each.

A good standby would be plain grilled burgers and dogs.

Have fun!

I just want to suggest that if you are shredding it then tenderloin is an expensive waste. A pork shoulder or pork butt is much cheaper and better suited for pulled pork.

Half pound of meat per adult is the general rule. 1/4 of a pound per child. Or make hotdogs for the kids.

I agree with those that suggested you get a cheaper cut of pork. I have made pulled pork using cheaper cuts many times and received many compliment on it.

My mom has always said you should plan on 1/3lb to 1/2lb per adult for dinner parties. For BBQs, I tend to do less depending on the meat item. How much pork do you think goes on one bun? Do you have any big eaters that need you to account for? Any really small eaters?

If I was you, I'd do a pork shoulder. Cheaper than tenderloins. That's a lot of people. If you also have sloppy joes, you may be able to get away with two. Any other meat choices? We always do chicken-always, just to be safe.

I agree with the cheaper pork for this dish. I disagree with burgers and dogs, for that many people you will be in front of the grill for a long time!! However, you can cook hot dogs in a crock pot. I know my kids wouldn't eat either of the choices you have and the crock pot dogs are easy, just check out pinterest.

That's all you are serving? Not everyone likes pork. I would do chicken, hot dogs, hamburgers, salads, fresh fruit, rolls, baked beans, corn on the cob. 50 adults 20 kids you need a lot of food. Maybe some ribs too.

If only pork sandwiches, you need a pig!

You should count at least 1/4 lb for each child and about 1/2 lb for each sandwich an adult will eat.

In Taste of Home's first edition they had Food for a Crowd and had a chart and if I remember correctly the amounts above is right or very close. You do know your company and how much they eat. If you're using HB Buns then the 1/2 lb would be okay but if you're using a larger bun, like a hoagie, then you'll need to plan more meat because 1/2 lb won't look like much on that larger bun.

Another thought, my kids wouldn't touch a pulled pork sandwich but they'd eat 2 or 3 plain hot dogs.

I agree with those who have said skip the tenderloin and get the cheaper pork butt or shoulder. It is much better suited to pulled pork than the leaner and more expensive tenderloin. I would say a pretty large (8-10#) pork shoulder would be what I would do given what else you have mentioned. You will need to start cooking it the day before, but you can do it in a crockpot (or 2) if you want.

Jaime,

Figure a one-half pound of meat per person - I know it sounds like a lot - but you get people who don't eat a lot and people who will eat twice what you expect...

And yes, this is the rule when considering the full menu. If you are not going to plate the food for people, you need to consider 1/2 lb of meat per person.

here's the guideline

http://entertaining.about.com/cs/recipesandmenus/a/foodqu...

So glad you asked this question. I am waiting on my final quest count and am doing alternatives to the dog and burger thing. Mainly because it is hot and muggy here and I don't want to spend the entire party at the grill! I think I will end up at around 40 to 50 total.

When cooking for a large crowd and having 2 or more entree choices I stick with 1/4 lb per person - adults and children, it rounds out OK. So you will need about 18 lbs to 20 lbs of meat. Pork shoulder - as others have commented makes a better pulled pork, but take incount the fat and scapes and you need to get the larger piece of meat.

Hmm.

I usually do a 2lb-ish pork (though, I use a shoulder/rump roast), and it makes enough for 6-8 sandwiches.

I think close to 15 lbs would be good... That would be roughly 60 sandwiches... So then if anyone wants seconds, or some people make thicker sandwiches there should be plenty. (I don't imagine EVERYONE would want a pulled pork sandwich if you have other menu options... The kids especially would likely choose an alternative.)

That's a lotta pig. Lol.

Not only is the shoulder/butt cut cheaper, it's better suited for pulled pork. The tenderloin doesn't have enough fat to cook the right way.

You should estimate about 2-3 oz. per person if you are serving other main dishes, more like 4-5 oz. if this is your main dish. If the party is only a few hours (like 4) go with a lower portion, but if you are hosting something all day (longer than 6 hours) go with the larger portion. But a half pound per person is an awful lot unless your guests are big eaters. As you can see there are a lot of variables. If I was throwing this party, and the pork was my only main dish, and I expected everyone to partake, then I would buy between 25-30 lbs, about 3-4 pork butts.

We just made a pork butt for our event last night. I sold 15 banh mi sandwiches and had enough left over for at least TWO dinners for our family. One butt. It feeds more than you think.