Throw a Party like a Pro

How to Plan and Serve Meals for Large Groups: Graduation Parties, Easter, and More

Spring time is officially here — and so are spring activities! Graduation parties, Mother’s Day brunches, Easter dinners and backyard grillings are probably a few events on your calendar. If you're hosting one of these festivities and feeding a large group, it can be difficult to know where to start. How much meat is enough? Which dishes stretch a budget without skimping on flavor? We consulted with an expert caterer, Andrea Love of My Dinner Delights, who loves to use ChopLocal meat. She shared tips and advice on planning meat-based meals that are flavorful, affordable and crowd-approved. 

How much meat? 

Let's start with the exciting part — meat. When preparing the right amount of meat, it's important to strike the right balance, enough to satisfy your guests, but not so much that you end up with waste. 

 Here are a few tips:

• 3-4 servings per pound of meat for items like pulled pork, shredded chicken, or ground beef.
• For bone-in cuts, like ribs or bone-in roasts, plan to feed 2 people per pound.
• If you're doing burgers, hot dogs, or brats, estimate 1.5 per person.
• For meals like tacos or burgers, aim for 1/3 pound of ground meat per person. Want to stretch that even further? Add rice, beans, or other fillers into the recipe. 

Budget-Friendly Crowd Favorites

Now that we have a good idea on the quantity of meat, let's talk specifics. When deciding on the specific dish for the occasion, the sky is the limit; however, here are a few affordable and easy options. 

• Taco bars with ground beef, shredded pork, or chicken.
• Pulled pork sandwiches or BBQ chicken.
• Hearty casseroles like lasagna, shepherd’s pie, or chicken pot pie.
• Steak or pork chops are great for fancier occasions. 

Serving Multiple Proteins

Guests always love options! But when you serve two protein options, how does that shake up serving size? It's simple: split the difference! Let’s say you're feeding 10 people and serving both pulled pork and smoked chicken. Instead of 5 pounds of just one meat, do 2 pounds of each. That gives guests variety while keeping portions in check.

Sides That Stretch Your Protein

Instead of focusing solely on meat, think about how to build dishes that use less of it without skimping on flavor. Here are some smart tricks:

• Use meat as a topper for salads (like grilled chicken over Caesar or southwest salads).
• Serve smaller buns for pulled pork sandwiches or sliders.
• Use street taco-sized tortillas to encourage smaller portions.

What to Make Ahead

Anything with a little liquid or sauce tends to reheat well:

• Taco meat
• Meatballs or sausage in marinara
• Pulled pork
• Chili and stews

These dishes can be made the day before and reheated in a slow cooker or roaster.

Timing and Planning Tips

Don’t overlook the power of planning ahead:

• Cook or prep sides like baked beans and salads the day before.
• Store-bought shortcuts like veggie trays or deli slaw are totally fine.
• Plan for minimal last-minute prep.

When planning, think about the time of day and the tone of the event:

• Lunch events tend to go lighter: sandwiches, salads and bowls.
• Dinners lean heartier: roasts, smoked meats, and carb-heavy sides.

Avoiding Food Waste

Keep it simple. Instead of offering a dozen options, narrow it down to two proteins and three sides. And remember: while veggie trays sound great in theory, they often go untouched. Consider veggie-packed pasta salads instead.

Go-To Meat Recipes for Feeding a Crowd

• Slow Cooker Pulled Pork or Chicken: Just add broth and your favorite seasoning. Shred, reheat, and serve with sauces or in tacos.
• Taco Bars: Always a hit and customizable for different dietary needs.
• Food Bars: Baked potato bar, mac & cheese bar, or mashed potato bar—topped with meat, veggies, and cheese.

Final Thoughts

Planning ahead and choosing the right meat dishes can take the stress out of hosting. With these tips, you'll feed your guests with confidence and ease — and maybe even have some leftovers to enjoy the next day!