How many pounds of pork butt?

[captainlee]

Grandson is heading out here with 9 friends for their high school graduation trip. They will be hiking the Colorado Trail and headquartering out of our house. I assume most of them will be from his hockey team, very active kids. How many pounds of butt do i need to smoke to feed them one evening. I know they will be hungry after eating dehydrated food for a few days.

[Draznnl]

What kind of sides are you planning with it? Are you going to serve as sandwiches or as an entree?
Without knowing those answers, it's hard to say.

[captainlee]

Will have buns and definitely spud salad and slaw. I'll find out if they want beans.

[Draznnl]

captainlee Then I think IAGTTD has hit it on the head. Cook enough for leftovers and don’t be shocked if there aren’t any.

[ItsAllGoneToTheDogs]

IMO I'd try to find a 12lber and that might suffice if they're using buns and eating sides, but you never know with teenagers they might consume 2lbs per person they might only eat .5. If it was me I'd get 2 decent size butts and just plan on using leftovers for another meal or freezing them.

[captainlee]

Leftovers aren't an issue, we just seal and freeze.

[scottranda]

Agree!

[smokenoob]

Agree with IAGTTD, two butts and freeze leftovers. Hungary teenagers can get unruly 😂😂😂

[captainlee]

Yep, that's what I'm trying to prevent!!!! Don't want a mutiny. We heard that it was going to be three of them, just got to Omaha for his graduation and now it's 10. I'll get to meet them tomorrow at the party to size them up.

[LA Pork Butt]

If these guys eat like I did in high school I would plan on 3/4 # pound uncooked and add a few #s for potential increase in the number of guys. I did a a Boston Butt cook 10-15 years and one of my friends went back for more twice. He was much older and not a really big guy. If these guys are hiking they will work up an appetite. 12 #s should be safe.

[Skip]

This is probably over kill but I'd figure 10# of cooked meat. If they like it you'll be their hero forever and tell all their friends what good Grandparents you are! Boys that age can eat pretty well if they're in the right mood.

[gboss]

Not overkill for teenagers who have been hiking all day. I think you're spot on, even with sides! figuring 60% yield, so 2ea 9lbs should do it. Don't count on leftovers though! If captainlee wants leftovers, a third butt is needed.

[rickgregory]

This is probably over kill but I'd figure 10# of cooked meat. If they like it you'll be their hero forever and tell all their friends what good Grandparents you are! Boys that age can eat pretty well if they're in the right mood.

I actually think that might be conservative. The butts will shrink when smoked, so 10lbs might get you, what, 8.5 when done? Sure that's almost 1lb kid but a) teen boys, b) hockey players, c) who've just been hiking. Me, I'd smoke around 15lbs of pork butt. What's the downside, extra pulled pork? Oh no!!!!

[gboss]

Skip is suggesting 10lb of cooked meat, i.e. a cooked pound per.

[JeffJ]

I’d go 1 lb uncooked per boy. Active high school boys usually eat a ton. If you’ve got a 9 pounder I’d cook the whole dang thing. Halve it and you’ll get more bark.

[bbqLuv]

Generally speaking, the meat will shrink by about 25 percent as it cooks. For fatty cuts like pork butt, the number may be closer to 40 percent.

I would figure 8oz per the number of guests, then divide by 16 for pounds.
8x10=80, divided by 16 equals 5 pounds.
With 40% shrinkage, I am thinking 12 to 13 pounds of Pork butt.

Hope this helps

[captainlee]

Sounds like i should get a couple of 7 to 8 pound butts, and yes there is loss due to trimming and shrinkage. Just found out one doesn't eat pork so we will also do a bit of chicken. Again leftovers are fine and will be put to good use. If the weather turns we might have to do an additional meal, but that will definitely be pizza.

[Jerod Broussard]

I account for 50% loss on butts. I only trim that big funky membrane near the blade bone (this is gone on a boneless) and score the fat cap.

[captainlee]

I'll find some over 8 lb With the added chicken now i should be good. Thanks all for your input. I'll let you know what was left in mid June.

[BKYDBBQ]

I am going to go with what others have said. I would go with two 8 - 9 pound butts. From weighing multiple butts throughout the cooking process I average around 45% - 50% loss. So two 8 pounders should give you about 8 pounds of finished product.

I also figure 1/4 to 1/3 pound per serving. These being active teenagers I would definitely increase that to 1/2 or even 3/4 pound per person, especially if leftovers is not a concern.

[Santamarina]

It’s been a few years, but I remember being an active 18 year old. I could eat enough for two people or more. Hockey players who just graduated? Those boys need 1 lb each…at the very least. As many have said it’s better to have leftovers than run out of food with a house full of hungry teenagers!

[Bad Hat BBQ]

Add chicken thighs....and you MIGHT have a chance for a left-over sandwich

My son's wrestling buddies would eat a ton!

[Polarbear777]

A pack from Costco would be 16 lbs. I wouldn’t do less. I end up with about 60-65% of starting weight.

I would shoot for 1lb per person cooked. Stuff freezes well if vacuum packed or make tacos the next day or something.

other stuff may stretch it out but I’m sure they are way above average for eating capacity.

[Murdy]

I would do 2 good sized butts, they're relatively cheap and keep well.