The Memorial Day Meat Masterclass

Memorial Day serves as the unofficial kickoff to the summer grilling season. For many pitmasters, this will be the first time this year cooking for a crowd larger than the immediate family.

But transitioning from a single rack of ribs to a meal that feeds twenty or thirty people requires more than a bigger fire.

Before you fire up your Lone Star Grillz offset or pellet smoker, use this guide to ensure you can satisfy your hungry crowd without blowing your entire summer budget. 

How much meat should you buy for a crowd of twenty? 

The industry standard for a mixed crowd of adults and children is ½ pound of cooked meat per person.

But don't try to buy that amount in raw weight: that's a rookie mistake.

Large cuts like brisket and pork shoulder experience significant "shrinkage" during a 12-hour smoke. Between hard fat, which you'll have to trim away, and moisture loss during a cook, a brisket can lose up to 50% of its weight.

So if you really want to hit the right number, you'll need 1 pound of raw, untrimmed meat per person. Feeding 20 people? Grab 20 pounds.

Is a multi-protein strategy a more cost effective way to feed a Memorial Day crowd?

Beef prices are soaring here in 2026, so a "Brisket Only" party can get expensive fast.

Fortunately, you can go with a 60/40 strategy that replaces some of that brisket with a budget-friendly crowd pleaser like pulled pork or smoked chicken thighs. 

This will lower your overall grocery bill while providing options for guests who might prefer lighter poultry over rich beef.

It's easy to manage both cooks in your LSG. Just put the brisket on the bottom rack for consistent heat, and put the chicken or pork on the top rack.

How do you calculate ribs for a Memorial Day crowd?

Ribs are the trickiest item to math out because the weight of a rib is mostly bone. Instead of going by pounds, go by the "three bone rule." 

If ribs are the only meat you'll be serving, plan on 6 bones per person. If ribs are part of a broader spread including brisket or chicken, 3 bones per person is the perfect portion.

Several Lone Star Grillz options can easily hold 6 to 8 racks of ribs at once, which is enough to feed 25-30 people comfortably while letting you cook your other proteins, too.

What sides should I serve at a Memorial Day BBQ?

Worried about running low on meat?

Remember guests fill their plates with all the other good stuff you've got available too. Try high-volume, low-cost signs like pit beans, potato salad, and coleslaw. 

Plan for about 5 ounces of each side per person. On some LSG models, you can use the top of your firebox or the warming rack to keep a large cast-iron pot of beans bubbling throughout the day, infusing them with wood-fired flavor while saving kitchen space.

Get Your Grill

You can't put together the perfect Memorial Day cookout without the perfect grill. Shop our grills and smokers now…and take advantage of our financing offers! Not sure what to get? Call our office. We'll be happy to help you select the perfect pit for your needs.