Quick answer
How much brisket per person
| Guests | Cooked | Raw to buy | Packers |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 people | 5 lb | 10 lb | 1 packer brisket |
| 25 people | 12.5 lb | 25 lb | 2 packer briskets |
| 50 people | 25 lb | 50 lb | 4 packer briskets |
| 75 people | 37.5 lb | 75 lb | 6 packer briskets |
| 100 people | 50 lb | 100 lb | 8 packer briskets |
| 150 people | 75 lb | 150 lb | 11 packer briskets |
Quick calculator
- Brisket2 packer briskets27.5 lb raw
Why brisket shrinks so much
A whole packer brisket loses fat during trimming and water during the long cook. Texas A&M guidance and pitmaster experience both land near 50% yield for a standard trim. Trim heavily and you will be closer to 45%.
Serving brisket with other meats
If you also serve pork or ribs, the total meat stays near 1/2 lb cooked per adult and brisket gets its share. Make brisket the star in the planner to give it 50% or more of the plate.
Trusted recipes to try
- Texas style brisket · Meat Church
- Texas brisket, butcher paper method · How To BBQ Right
- Texas style smoked brisket · AmazingRibs
Common questions
How much brisket per person?+
Plan 1/2 lb of cooked brisket per adult when brisket is the only meat. That is about 1 lb of raw whole packer brisket per adult.
How many people does a 14 lb brisket feed?+
A 14 lb packer yields about 7 lb of cooked brisket, enough for about 14 adults as the only meat, or about 28 when served with a second meat.
How much brisket for 50 people?+
About 50 lb raw, which is 4 packer briskets around 14 lb each, if brisket is the only meat.
Plan the whole cook
Pick every meat, set your serve time, and get one shopping list and one smoker timeline.
Open the planner