How Much Pulled Pork is Enough ....

NorthernSmoke · July 04, 2007, 08:08:22 PM

.... pulled pork!

I'm having a bit of a crowd over on Sat. and am planning an all-night smoke session. We're having 8 people and I was wondering how big a butt to buy. I'm thinking about 1lb. per person (pre-cooking weight), so maybe 8 or 10 lbs to be safe. Any thoughts?

Gizmo · July 04, 2007, 08:11:59 PM

I am sure 8 to 10 lbs would be plenty as I'll assume they will be chowing on more than butt. You could do 2 and then send them home with smiles on their faces and doggie bags in hand.

Consiglieri · July 04, 2007, 08:16:46 PM

I figure a 1/2 pound per person ought to be enough for the main meal, plus leftovers. Don't know what type of crowd you're serving, but I think with a pound per you'll be eating through the night and well into the morning.

Have fun and post some pix. Of the meat. And of the party. I need to live vicariously these days...

standles · July 05, 2007, 06:18:40 AM

"How much pulled pork is enough?"

One more sandwich worth than you have. ;)

Seriously though you need to account for fixins as well. If your gonna serve a couple of sides and dessert it will be less than if you just serving pulled pork sandwiches.

I usually do 1.5 pounds / person and keep the left overs or send doggy bags home. It keeps well frozen.

Steven

NorthernSmoke · July 05, 2007, 07:14:46 AM

Thanks for the advice.

begolf25 · July 05, 2007, 07:16:48 AM

I agree that 1/2-1 lb per person should be plenty.

Quote from: Consiglieri on July 04, 2007, 08:16:46 PM
Have fun and post some pix. Of the meat. And of the party. I need to live vicariously these days...

I know how you feel, how is your little one doing?

SKSmoker · July 05, 2007, 08:55:37 AM

I served 18lbs <uncooked weight> of pulled pork for 15 and we had an entire butt left over. You can easily feed 8 people out of one 9-10lbs butt. People went back for 3rds and we have enough leftover for my wife and I for a good while :)

NorthernSmoke · July 05, 2007, 09:15:57 AM

That's kinda what I was thinking - 1 lb. per person. At 8 or so lbs. I'm planning on a 16 hr. cook. I the last one I did was smoked for 4 hrs. and then transferred to the oven and boated for the remaining time. Turned out beautifully - it fell apart just from looking at it.

Consiglieri · July 05, 2007, 09:36:09 AM

Thanks for asking begolf:

Little guy is doing great, although its HOT out here and that makes him housebound. On the 4th had another one of those "lawn dart moments" thinking about what the boy will likely be doing 8 years or so from now... Those Piccolo Pete experiments... and any number of empirical tests involving firecrackers.

How's yours?

Habanero Smoker · July 05, 2007, 02:10:56 PM

The few times I have weighted and compared an uncooked bone-in butt to it's weight when it was finished, I averaged a 40% decrease in weight.

SKSmoker · July 05, 2007, 07:53:55 PM

Your pretty much dead on HS about the decrease in wieght. Also something to think about. 1lb of meat is alot of meat, especially pulled pork. Usually caterers figure on 2-3 servings per lb.

NorthernSmoke · July 05, 2007, 09:31:23 PM

I'm locked in at 7.5 lb. Butt is rubbed and in the fridge. I figure at two 2hrs. per lb. I'll throw it in at midnight, let it smoke for 4 hrs., and continue to cook until 3pm the next day. Then about 3 to 4 hrs. FTC and it's time for supper. :P

The most success I've had with PP is by boating it in some apple juice in the oven at 195F for the full time after the initial four hour smoke (similar to Icerat's rib method). On Saturday though, if it's as hot then as it was today, there's no way I'm using the indoor oven, so I'm a little concerned. I'll have to keep the apple juice spray nearby.

standles · July 06, 2007, 06:51:17 AM

I planned to the hour on my feed as well. Funny how the meat will let you know who is boss. :)

I ended up allowing plenty of time after that first attempt. Now it is a matter of when I take it out of FTC.

Steven

NorthernSmoke · July 06, 2007, 07:39:29 AM

Woohoo! The weather forecast is for a nice 21C so I can use the indoor oven and a boat after the smoke is done. That really makes it easy - no FTC required.

begolf25 · July 06, 2007, 09:10:37 AM

Good luck NorthernSmoke, hope everything works out as planned.

Quote from: Consiglieri on July 05, 2007, 09:36:09 AM
Thanks for asking begolf:

Little guy is doing great, although its HOT out here and that makes him housebound. On the 4th had another one of those "lawn dart moments" thinking about what the boy will likely be doing 8 years or so from now... Those Piccolo Pete experiments... and any number of empirical tests involving firecrackers.

How's yours?

He is doing great. Starting to sleep a little longer at night which is great. I also find myself thinking about what he will be like when he gets older. But from what everyone tells me that will be here before we know it.