How Many Pounds of Pulled Pork Fit in a Quart?

Pulled pork is a classic barbecue dish that never seems to go out of style. When cooking pulled pork for a crowd, it can be tricky to figure out exactly how much you need. Raw pork shoulder or butt shrinks a lot when cooked low and slow, so you can’t just go by the original weight.

In this article, we’ll provide a guide on portion sizes and how many pounds of pulled pork fit in a standard quart container We’ll also share tips to help you nail the portions perfectly every time

How Much Does Raw Pork Shrink When Cooked?

According to TheKitchenToday raw pork butt or shoulder loses about 50% of its original weight during cooking. This moisture loss comes from rendered fat and collagens melting out the meat fibers tightening up, and general evaporation.

So if you start with 10 lbs of raw pork, you’ll end up with around 5 lbs of pulled pork after its cooked low and slow to perfection. Always buy about twice as much raw pork as you think you’ll need just to be safe. It’s better to have tasty leftovers than run short!

Typical Serving Size for Pulled Pork

A common serving size for pulled pork is around 1/3 lb or 5 oz per adult portion. For kids, plan on 1/4 lb or 4 oz servings.

Of course portions can vary a bit depending on the type of meal. But in general, the 1/3 lb serving is a good baseline for estimating purposes when cooking for a group.

Pounds of Pulled Pork In a Quart

Now that we know typical serving sizes, we can look at how many portions fit into a quart container.

• 1 quart = 2 pounds
• There are three 1/3 lb adult portions in 1 pound
• So in 2 pounds (1 quart) there are 6 adult portions

Therefore, 1 quart container holds approximately 6 servings of pulled pork.

You can use this handy reference to estimate how many quarts of pulled pork you’ll need for any sized gathering. Some examples:

• For 10 people, plan on about 2 quarts
• For 15 people, need around 3 quarts
• For 30 people, you’ll want about 5 quarts

Use your best judgment on portion sizes depending on the type of event. And remember, better to have extra than run short!

Tips for Portioning Pulled Pork

Here are some top tips to help you nail the portions when cooking pulled pork for a party:

• Weigh portions on a food scale for accuracy
• Portion into quart containers or zip top bags
• Label containers with permanent marker
• Refrigerate or freeze portions for later use
• Reheat individual portions as needed
• Use leftovers for sandwiches, omelets, casseroles, etc.

Sample Math for a Backyard BBQ

Let’s look at an example to see the math in action:

You’re hosting a backyard BBQ for 25 adults and 10 kids. Using our 1/3 lb adult and 1/4 lb kid portions, here’s how much pulled pork you’ll need:

• 25 adults x 1/3 lb = 8.3 lbs
• 10 kids x 1/4 lb = 2.5 lbs
• Total cooked pork needed = 10.8 lbs

Since pork shrinks about 50%, you’ll want to start with around 22 lbs of raw pork shoulder. Cook it all, then portion out the 10.8 lbs finished pork into quart containers for your party.

It’s that easy! Now you can relax knowing everyone will get a hearty serving of your amazing pulled pork.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much will 2 lbs of pulled pork feed?

About 6 people, based on 5 oz servings. For a larger group, use the tips above to calculate how much pork you’ll need.

How many pounds of meat fit in a 6 quart slow cooker?

You can fit about 1 pound of meat per quart of slow cooker capacity. So a 6 quart will hold around 6 lbs.

How many sandwiches will 10 pounds of pulled pork make?

With 6 oz portions, 10 lbs should make about 20-25 sandwiches depending on the type of pork used.

How much should I buy per person?

Plan for 1/3 lb of cooked pulled pork per adult when serving as a main dish. Buy about twice the raw weight to allow for shrinkage during cooking.

How do you calculate for a group?

Guests divided by servings per lb equals total lbs needed. Then divide lbs needed by 50% yield to get raw pork required.

Figuring out portions can seem confusing with the drastic shrinkage of pork. By using quart containers as a guide, you can easily scale up for any size party. Aim for around 6 servings per quart, and have fun with the math! Your guests will be happy with their hearty portions of your mouthwatering pulled pork.