How Much Brisket for 20 People?

Plan ½ lb of cooked brisket per person as the main. A packer brisket loses about half its raw weight to trimming and the cook, so buy raw weight equal to a pound per guest.

If plates include two meats (brisket + something), drop to ⅓ lb cooked per person.

Adjusting for your crowd: kids eat about two-thirds of adult portions; knock 25% off any single item when several mains share the table; add 25% for teenagers and big appetites. When in doubt, round up on the cheap items (buns, chips, ice) and stay exact on the expensive ones.