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Homebody Eats » Entertaining

How Much Food To Serve At A Party

Published: Mar 10, 2021 · Modified: Apr 1, 2022 by Jessica Mode · This content may include affiliate links.

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Have you ever been overwhelmed when hosting a party and stressed about having too little or too much food? Dive into this detailed breakdown that explains the correct portion sizes for any amount of people and any occasion. 

bowl of whipped feta dip garnished with green onions and sesame seeds.

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Jump to:
  • Serve the right amount of food at your next party!
  • For A Party
  • For A Birthday Party
  • For A Dinner Party
  • For Brunch
  • For A Cocktail Party
  • For A Tailgate
  • For Thanksgiving
  • Drink Serving Sizes
  • Recipe FAQs
  • Don't Forget Your Free Guide

The most stressful thing about any party or gathering is making sure there is enough food and nobody is going to leave hungry. If you have been asking yourself ‘How much food do I serve?,’ you’ve come to the right place. 

This is your complete guide to entertaining serving sizes. Here you will learn the correct food quantity per person to serve at various types of parties. 

While I have all the general answers for you, always remember that you know your guests know best. Always plan for the appetites of your friends and family.

If you know someone who tends to eat more, make more. The same concept applies to light eaters. While you can use these ideas as a guide, always plan accordingly based on who’s coming. 

Before we get started be sure to download your free food quantity guide so everything is sent straight to your email. 

Serve the right amount of food at your next party!

Learn how to plan the right amount of food so your guests leave feeling full, and there's no stress of running out. This FREE guide will walk you everything you need to know…it's simpler than you think!

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    labeled party food serving sizes PDF.

    For A Party

    Whether you’re hosting a BBQ, baby shower, bridal shower, graduation party, or just having a casual get-together with your friends, these entertaining serving sizes will help you plan the right amount of food. 

    TYPE OF FOODFOR 1FOR 10FOR 25
    Appetizer
    bites
    6 bites per person60 bites150 bites
    Bite-sized desserts2 - 3 per person25 - 3060 - 75
    Burgers1 - 2 per person15 - 2035 - 50
    Cake1 - 2 slices per person15 - 2035 - 50
    Cheese2 - 3 ounces (56 - 85 grams) per person25 - 30 ounces (708 - 850 grams) 60 - 75 ounces (1.7 - 2.16 kilos)
    Chicken
    fingers
    3 - 5 pieces per person40 - 50 pieces100 - 125 pieces
    Chips4 ounces (113 grams) per person40 ounces (1.13 kilos)100 ounces (2.85 kilos) 
    Cookies1 - 2 per person15- 2035 - 50
    French
    Fries
    4 ounces (113 grams) (roughly 16 - 20 fries) per person40 ounces (1.13 kilos) (roughly 160 - 200 fries)100 ounces (2.85 kilos) (roughly 400 - 500 fries)
    Fruit or veggie tray1 cup (240 grams) per person10 cups (2.36 kilos)25 cups (5.9 kilos)
    Hot dogs2 - 3 per person25 - 3060 - 75
    Ice cream5 ounces (142 grams) per person50+ ounces (1.42 kilos)125+ ounces(3.54 kilos)
    Pizza1 - 3 slices per person15 - 30 slices35 - 75 slices
    Sandwiches1 - 2 per person15 - 2035 - 50
    Tacos3 tacos per person30+75+
    focaccia sandwich with mortadella, burrata, and pistachio.

    For A Birthday Party

    Whether you're hosting an adult or kids birthday party, people are going to be hungry. To know the right amount to feed everyone, follow this food serving chart to determine the best serving sizes depending on who you’re serving.

    Birthday Party For Adults

    For the larger meal items, you can choose one to three options to serve, you do not need to have a full-blown buffet. The quantity suggestions in this chart are for serving 2 main dishes, plus appetizer bites, chips, fries, and desserts. 

    TYPE OF FOODFOR 1FOR 10FOR 25
    Appetizer bites6 bites per person60 bites150 bites
    Burgers1 - 2 per person15 - 20 35 - 50
    Cake1 - 2 slices per person15 - 20 slices35 - 50 slices
    Chicken fingers3 - 5 pieces per person40 - 50 pieces100 - 125 pieces 
    Chips4 ounces (~113 grams) per person40 ounces (1.13 kilos)100 ounces (2.825 kilos)
    Cookies1 - 2 per person15 - 2035 - 50
    French Fries4 ounces (~113 grams) (roughly 16 - 20 fries) per person40 ounces (1.13 kilos) (roughly 160 - 200 fries)100 ounces (2.85 kilos) (roughly 400 - 500 fries)
    Hot dogs2 - 3 per person25 - 3060 - 75
    Ice cream5 ounces per person50+ ounces125+ ounces
    Pizza2 - 4 slices per person30 - 40 slices75 - 100 slices
    Sandwiches1 per person10+25+
    Tacos2 - 3 per person25 - 3060 - 75
    baked pizza on a wooden pizza peel.

    Birthday Party For Children

    For the larger meal items, you can choose one to three options to serve, you do not need to have a full-blown buffet. The quantity suggestions in this chart are for serving 2 main dishes, appetizer bites, chips, fries, and desserts.

    TYPE OF FOODFOR 1FOR 10FOR 25
    Appetizer bites4 - 5 bites per person50 bites125 bites
    Burgers1 per person10+25+
    Cake1 - 2 slices per person15 - 20 slices35 - 50 slices
    Chicken fingers3 - 4 pieces per person40 pieces100 pieces 
    Chips2 small bags (3 ounces or ~85 grams) per person20+ small bags (30 ounces or 850 grams)50+ small bags (75 ounces or 2.125 kilos)
    Cookies1 - 2 per person15 - 2035 - 50
    French Fries3 ounces (85 grams) (roughly 12 - 15 fries) per person30 ounces (850 grams) (roughly 120 - 150 fries)75 ounces (2.16 kilos) (roughly 300 - 375 fries)
    Hot dogs1 per person10+25+
    Ice cream3 ounces per person30+ ounces75+ ounces
    Pizza1 slice per person10+ slices25+ slices
    Sandwiches1 per person10+25+
    Tacos2 per person20+50+
    chocolate chip cookie bars.

    For A Dinner Party

    At an upscale dinner party, you’ll want to not only have an impressive menu, but you must also ensure that everyone leaves feeling full. Here are some dinner party food ideas, as well as the correct serving sizes 

    This chart assumes that each guest will be eating an appetizer, 1 protein, 1 - 2 side dishes (soup included), and 1 dessert. 

    FOOD ITEMFOR 1FOR 10FOR 25
    AppetizerRoughly 6 bites of food per person50 bites 125 bites
    Cake1 - 2 pieces per person15 - 20 slices 35 - 50 slices
    Chicken6 - 8 ounces (170 - 227 grams) per person60 - 80 ounces (1.7 - 2.27 kilos) 150 - 200 ounces (4.25 - 5.67 kilos)
    Ice cream/ gelato/ sorbet½ cup (118 grams) per person5 cups (1.18 kilos)13 cups (3.07 kilos)
    Individual dessertsAbout 8 bites of dessert (½ cup/ 118 g)5 cups (1.18 kilos)13 cups (3.07 kilos)
    Pizza1 - 3 slices per person15 - 30 slices35 - 75 slices
    Pork6 - 8 ounces (170 - 227 grams) per person60 - 80 ounces (1.7 - 2.27 kilos) 150 - 200 ounces (4.25 - 5.67 kilos)
    Salad1 cup (236 grams) per person10 cups (2.36 kilos)25 cups (5.9 kilos)
    Sandwiches1 - 2 per person15 - 2035 - 50
    Side dish (grains)½ cup (118 grams) per person60 - 80 ounces (1.7 - 2.27 kilos) 150 - 200 ounces (4.25 - 5.67 kilos)
    Side dish (pasta)1 cup (240 grams) per person10 cups (2.36 kilos)25 cups (5.9 kilos)
    Side dish (vegetable)½ cup (118 grams) per person60 - 80 ounces (1.7 - 2.27 kilos) 150 - 200 ounces (4.25 - 5.67 kilos)
    summer dinner party tablescape with salad and steak.

    For Brunch

    Hosting an entire at-home brunch? Be sure that your guests have the right amount of food and a sufficient amount of brunch cocktails to make one meal count as two.

    Brunch is served buffet style, making it a little bit harder to know how much of everything to have because some people may want more of one thing and less of another. With that being said, here is a rough estimate of how much of each item to provide.

    FOOD ITEMFOR 1FOR 10FOR 25
    Bacon / Sausage2 pieces of bacon or sausage per person15 pieces of bacon 15 pieces sausage 40 pieces of bacon 40 pieces of sausage
    Bagel / English Muffin1 bagel per person10+ bagels 25+ bagels
    Biscuits1 - 3 per person25 - 30 biscuits 60 - 75 biscuits
    Bloody Mary2 - 3 per person (15 - 20 ounces or 450 - 600 mL)200 ounces (6 liters)500 ounces (15 liters)
    Eggs2 - 3 eggs per person30 eggs75 eggs
    French Toast2 pieces per person20 pieces50 pieces 
    Fruit / Fruit Salad½ cup (118 grams) per person5 cups (1.18 kilos)13 cups (3 kilos)
    Mimosa2 - 3 per person (15 - 20 ounces or 450 - 600 mL)200 ounces (6 liters)500 ounces (15 liters)
    Mini Muffins3 mini muffins per person30 mini muffins75 mini muffins
    Muffins (full-sized)1 muffin per person10+ muffins25+ muffins
    Omelet1 omelet per person10 omelets 25 omelets 
    Pancakes2 pancakes per person20 pancakes50 pancakes
    Toast1 - 2 pieces of toast per person20 pieces of toast50 pieces of toast
    Waffles1 waffle per person10 waffles 25 waffles
    Yogurt2 - 3 ounces (60 - 90 mL) per person30 ounces (900 mL)75 ounces (2.25 liters)
    fruit display full of berries, mango, pineapple, and kiwi.

    For A Cocktail Party

    Cocktail parties can be either fancy or casual. Either way, you’ll want to impress your guests not just with fabulous cocktails and wine, but delicious food as well.

    FOOD ITEMFOR 1FOR 10FOR 25
    Bite-sized appetizer10 - 15 bites per person150 bites375 bites
    Bite-sized desserts3 - 6 per person50 bites125 bites
    Cheese2 - 3 ounces per person30 ounces75 ounces 
    Cocktails3 drinks per person30 drinks 75 drinks  
    Crudites3 - 4 ounces per person40 ounces100 ounces
    Wine½ bottle per person5 bottles18 bottles
    campari spritz cocktail in a wine glass with orange garnish.

    For A Tailgate

    Sporting events are even more fun when there’s food involved. Here are some of the common tailgating dishes and how much of each you’ll need for each person there. 

    FOOD ITEMFOR 1FOR 10FOR 25
    Chicken wings6 - 10 wings per person60 - 100 wings 150 - 250 wings
    Dip3 ounces (90 mL) per person30 ounces (900 ml)75 ounces (2.25 liters)
    French fries4 ounces (roughly 16 - 20 fries) per person40 ounces (roughly 160 - 200 fries)100 ounces (400 - 500 fries)
    Fruit /veggie tray1 cup (236 grams) per person10 cups (2.36 kilos)25 cups (5.9 kilos)
    Ice cream5 ounces (150 mL) per person50 ounces (1.5 liters)125 ounces (3.75 liters)
    Individual desserts (cookies, brownies)2 - 3 per person20 -3050 - 75
    Nachos10 - 12 nachos per personRoughly 120 nachosRoughly 300 nachos
    Pizza2 - 3 slices per person25 - 30 slices60 - 75 slices
    Sandwiches1 per personAt least 10 sandwichesAt least 25 sandwiches
    Sliders2 - 4 per person40 sliders100 sliders
    pulled pork nachos topped with slaw on a sheet pan.

    For Thanksgiving

    Not many other gatherings can induce more stress on a host than Thanksgiving. From getting the house cleaned to serving a dozen dishes all at once, any chance there is to make the meal go smoother, we’ll take it.

    Follow this guide to determine how much of each dish you should prepare per person for Thanksgiving dinner. 

    FOOD ITEMFOR 1FOR 10FOR 20
    Appetizers (cheese/ charcuterie board)2 - 3 ounces (56 - 84 grams) of cheese
    4 - 6 slices of meat per person
    20 - 30 ounces (560 - 840 grams) of cheese
    40 - 60 slices of meat 
    50 - 75 ounces (1.4 - 2.1 kilos) of cheese
    100 - 150 slices of meat
    Appetizers (dip)3 ounces (90 mL) per person30 ounces (900 mL)75 ounces (2.25 liters)
    Appetizers (individual bites i.e. deviled eggs or puff pastry bites)6 bites per person60 bites150 bites
    Ham (boneless)⅓ pound (0.2 kilos) per person3 ⅓ lbs (0.6 kilos)8 ⅓ lbs (1.6 kilos)
    Lasagna/ Mac and Cheese1 cup (236 grams) per person10 cups (2.36 kilos)25 cups (5.9 kilos)
    Pie1 - 2 slices per person10 - 20 slices25 - 50 slices
    Rolls1 - 2 per person10 - 20 25 - 50
    Salad1 cup (236 grams) per person10 cups (2.36 kilos)25 cups (5.9 kilos)
    Side dishes (grains)½ cup (118 grams) per person5 cups (1.18 kilos)17.5 cups (2.95 kilos)
    Side dishes (pasta)½ cup (118 grams) per person5 cups (1.18 kilos)17.5 cups (2.95 kilos)
    Side dishes (vegetables)1 cup (236 grams) per person10 cups (2.36 kilos)25 cups (5.9 kilos)
    Soup1 cup (236 mL) per person10 cups (2.36 liters)25 cups (5.9 liters)
    Turkey1½ lbs (0.7 kilos) per person15 lbs (7 kilos) 40 lbs (17.5 kilos)
    cranberry sauce in a white serving bowl.

    Drink Serving Sizes

    Drink serving sizes are just as important as food portioning. We can't have thirsty guests. The drink serving size guide below is a general estimate of how many different beverages may be consumed by different people.

    DRINK ITEMFOR 1FOR 10FOR 25
    Beer1 - 2 per person per hour10 - 20 multiplied by # of hours hosting25 - 50 multiplied by # of hours hosting
    Cocktails2 - 3 per person20 - 3050 - 75
    Coffee2 cups (480 mL) per person20 cups (4.8 liters)50 cups (12 liters)
    Ice1 pound per person (more if in a hot environment such as an outdoor party during the summer)10 lbs. More if in a hot environment 25 lbs. More if in a hot environment 
    Iced Tea10 - 20 ounces (300 - 600 mL) per person100 - 200 ounces (3 liters)250 - 500 ounces (7.5 liters)
    Juice8 ounces (240 mL) per person80 ounces (2.4 liters)200 ounces (6 liters)
    Lemonade / Punch16 ounces (480 mL) per person160 ounces (4.8 liters)400 ounces (12 liters)
    Soda1 - 2 cans (12 - 24 oz / 360 - 720 mL) per person10 - 20 cans (12 - 24 oz / 3.6 - 7.2 liters)25 - 50 cans (300 - 500 oz / 9 - 18 liters)
    Wine½ bottle per person5 bottles18 bottles
    two wine glasses filled with Lambrusco sangria.

    Recipe FAQs

    How do you calculate how much food to serve?

    Understand the type of event, type of crowd, and number of items being served. Additionally, consider how much the average adult (or child) consumes in one sitting. Once you consider these three factors, you can determine how much of each item to have available for each person.

    I have a large group to feed, how should I calculate serving sizes?

    Once you know how many people you are serving, multiply that number by the quantities listed in these guides. Then, to be cautious, round each of those quantities up a bit to give yourself some peace of mind (i.e. if the serving size for 1 person is 1 cup, for 10 people have at least 10 cups, or 12 for reassurance). The larger the number of people you’re hosting, the harder it is to know exactly how much to serve so it's better to err on having too much food than too little. 

    Is it better to over-plan for food for a party?

    Yes, it is always better to have leftovers than to not have enough to feed your guests. 

    Don't Forget Your Free Guide

    Don't forget to download your serving sizes guide with all of the food quantities you'll want to know for hosting parties and gatherings!

    Love this guide? Please leave a comment below. Don't forget to follow along on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and Pinterest for more recipes.

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