How Much Baked Beans to Get for Large Groups

How Much Baked Beans to Get for Large Crowds in 2024

You are going to have a blast at your party and you need a ton of baked beans. You’re going to want to make sure you buy enough baked beans to feed everyone even if you have heaps of people in attendance.

Did you know that homemade baked beans are one of the best dishes to serve at a tailgate party for 20 people or more!

I love to make my own Boston baked beans recipe using pinto beans and take it to a pot luck dinner – or keep them warm in a crock pot and serve for my own tailgate party at the local game or often when I go to a country picnic.

But how many baked beans do you need for 50 people?

As a starting point, I would save you need 25 cups of baked beans for 50 people.

A great way to serve baked beans is to give each person half a cup, but that’s not the only way. You can determine the best serving size for your event by considering how many side dishes you’ll be serving.

It may seem like a simple answer, but there is so much more to know about making a baked bean recipe for a large group.


Baked Beans in Tacos

How To Calculate Exactly How Much Baked Beans To Cook For 10,20,40,60,80 And 100 People?

trader joes baked Beans
Trader Joes 9.6 oz can of Baked Beans

Below is a series of tables breaking down how exactly many baked beans you should purchase and prepare and cook per person.

Plus we also outline the quantity of tins you would need to buy per quantity of people.

Baked Beans come in large range of tin sizes, and we help with the choice of those also.

The popular and standard sizes of can fit in these three main groups of cans of between small sizes which are 8-9 oz, medium sizes which are15-18, and the large range between 50-56, and super large or commercial 117-120 ounces. 

The Tables following gives a good idea of how just the quantity baked bean cans you can purchase are you see the number of guests you are serving.

It is always a good idea to buy extra tins so you have enough baked beans for your party.

The graphics below also lists the serving size for one person, so you can adjust the measurements to fit the number of people in your group that you are feeding.


For example: If you are serving 25 people, you will take the measurements for 20 people and add 2 1/2 cups (1/2 cup per person) to the number of beans you are making.


We recommend, for groups over ten people, purchasing at least one extra 8.3 oz can to ensure that you have enough.

baked beans from pork and beans
Baked beans from pork and beans – For 10 People – Serve 5 cups

How Many Cans Of Baked Beans For 10 People

For 10 people use 5 x 9 oz cans of baked beans

  • 3 cans of 16 oz
  • 1 Can (55-60 oz) of Baked Beans for 10 Guests
how to make ham and beans with pinto beans
How to serve 20 people baked beans

How Many Cans Of Baked Beans For 20 People

For 20 people use 10 x 9 oz cans of baked beans

  • 6 cans of 16 oz
  • 2 Cans (55-60 oz) of Baked Beans for 20 Gucsts
homemade baked beans with pinto beans
For 40 People Serve 20 cups of baked beans as a side dish

How Many Cans Of Baked Beans For 40 People

For 40 people use 20 x 9 oz cans of baked beans

  • 12 cans of 16 oz
  • 4 cans (55-60 oz) of Baked Beans for 20 Guests
how to make baked beans with kidney beans
How to make baked beans with kidney beans

How Many Cans Of Baked Beans For 60 People

For 60 people use 30 x 9 oz cans of baked beans

  • 18 cans of 16 oz
  • 6 cans (55-60 oz) of Baked Beans for 60 Guests
baked beans with butter beans recipe
Baked beans for 80 guests at a Party

How Many Cans Of Baked Beans For 80 People

For 80 people use 40 x 9 oz cans of baked beans

  • 24 cans of 16 oz
  • 8 cans (55-60 oz) of Baked Beans for 80 Guests
how to make baked beans with pork and beans
Baked Beans For 100 Guests

How Many Cans Of Baked Beans For 100 People

For 100 people use 50 x 9 oz cans of baked beans

  • 30 cans of 16 oz
  • 10 cans (55-60 oz) of Baked Beans for 100 Guests

How Much Baked Beans For 100 People Of A Big Crowd?

You can make baked beans in a number of ways like instant pot baked beans, use canned beans, but however you make them and no matter what sort of bbq baked beans you make the average serving size is about 1/2 cup per person!

That’s not too hard to remember. Kids will usually eat less than adults, with the average serving size being anywhere from 2-4 tablespoons.

In ounces that is approximately 5 ounces per person for kids 2-4 ounces per child.

This quantity or baked bean portion size will all vary a little bit depending on what else is served with the meal though. If canned or homemade baked beans are the only side you are serving, you may want to cook a little bit more per person as they do not fill you up as much as baked beans made with sausages or hotdogs even.

How Much Baked Beans For 20 Kids?

The amount of cooked beans served per portion will also depend on who you are feeding. If your gathering or party is for kids your meal can be a bit less.  I would budget for my parties around3.5 oz per child.

It is possible that you could get away with serving a fewer baked beans. 

Now if you are feeding hungry teenagers then I would use the adult formula for how many baked beans to serve to a group of 5 ounces per person.

Homemade Baked Beans Recipe For 50 People

You are going to have a blast at your party and you need a ton of baked beans. You're going to want to make sure you buy enough baked beans to feed everyone in attendance.
Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time15 minutes
Course: Breakfast, Dinner, Lunch
Cuisine: American
Keyword: baked beans
Servings: 50
Calories: 175kcal

Ingredients

  • 4 tbsp olive oil
  • 20 oz bacon
  • 12 garlic cloves diced
  • 54 oz Pinto Beans drained and rinsed
  • 2 cup ketchup
  • 3 cup tomato puree
  • 5 tbsp apple cider vinegar
  • 2 cup water
  • 1 tbsp mustard powder
  • 1 tsp cayenne pepper
  • 2 tsp paprika powder

Instructions

  • In A ductch Oven – or similar. Heat oil over high heat and add bacon and cook for 2-3 minutes until the fat has rendered off – keep the fat as it will add flavor to the baked beans
  • Add diced onion and garlic. Cook for 3-4 minutes until onion is translucent or clear. .Add in all the remaining ingredients.
  • Turn down heat to low so that the bean mix is just simmering and cook on the stove or oven for 1 hour. Do stir every 10-15 minutes to make sure taht now is stuck to the bottom.
    If in the oven bake at around 165°C/330°F for 60 minutes.

Nutrition

Calories: 175kcal | Carbohydrates: 12g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 11mg | Sodium: 110mg | Potassium: 240mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 186IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 21mg | Iron: 1mg

Cooking Baked Beans for a Large Group

Now that you have worked out how many cans of baked beans you need to buy, you need to figure out how you are going to warm and cook them.

The bigger the group or party you will need more tools and space.

So do a little bit of planning first -how many baked beans you are going to make – adding some extra portions so you are not short. Also just where you are going to cook theme, you can not cook for 75 people in a dutch oven for example. Also, think of how you are going to keep them warm.

  • Slow cookers
  • Oven
  • Microwave

Slow Cookers

Slow cookers are a good choice when cooking baked beans as you can place the beans in the slow cooker in the morning and set them on low and come back and they will be ready in a few hours.

You can also use them for keeping your baked beans warm.

Check the size of slow cooker you have, typically a four-quart slow cooker will hold up to 128 ounces.

So for 25 people you could use 1 slow cooker – if you have 100 people to cater for then to cook baked beans for 100 guests you will need 4 slow cookers.

Oven

You could put your beans in casserole dishes or dutch ovens or even a pyrex oven safe dish to cook. The same turn down the oven and you can keep your baked beans warm until ready to serve.

Microwave

While a microwave is quick and not bad for a small quantity baked beans to reheat – I find then not good for a large group- you need to stir to stop the beans exploding and I recommend the other methods.

How to Make the Beans Stretch and go Further

The best way to make your baked beans last and feed extra guests is

What Can I add to homemade baked beans with pork and beans to give more flavor

  • bacon
  • brown sugar
  • maple syrup
  • bacon grease -gives real depth of flavor
  • bbq sauce
  • onion
  • ketchup
  • mustard
  • tomato sauce
  • apple cider vinegar
  • smoked paprika
  • liquid smoke – only use a little it is very strong
  • worcestershire sauce
  • ground beef
  • corn kernels
  • parsley

What kind of beans can I use to make homemade baked beans for 20 people

  • black bean
  • great northern beans
  • butter beans
  • kidney beans