How much coleslaw for 50 people?

For 50 guests, order about 10.9 lb of finished dressed coleslaw (or shredded cabbage blend), which serves about 10.9 lb. That is roughly 2 full trays.

How much coleslaw for 100 people?

For 100 guests, order about 21.9 lb of finished dressed coleslaw (or shredded cabbage blend), which serves about 21.9 lb. That is roughly 3 full + 1 half trays.

Catering portion guide

How much coleslaw per person?

In short

Plan on 3.5 to 4 oz (about 1/2 cup) of coleslaw per person as a side for BBQ or sandwiches. For 50 guests, order or prepare roughly 11 to 12 lb of finished coleslaw.

How much coleslaw for 10 to 100 people

Planned at finished weight, so what you make is what you serve.

Coleslaw quantities by guest count, showing purchase weight and served weight
Guests	Order	Serves	Trays
10	2.2 lb	2.2 lb	1 half tray
12	2.6 lb	2.6 lb	1 half tray
15	3.3 lb	3.3 lb	1 half tray
16	3.5 lb	3.5 lb	1 full tray
20	4.4 lb	4.4 lb	1 full tray
24	5.3 lb	5.3 lb	1 full tray
25	5.5 lb	5.5 lb	1 full tray
30	6.6 lb	6.6 lb	1 full tray
40	8.8 lb	8.8 lb	1 full + 1 half trays
50	10.9 lb	10.9 lb	2 full trays
60	13.1 lb	13.1 lb	2 full trays
75	16.4 lb	16.4 lb	2 full + 1 half trays
80	17.5 lb	17.5 lb	3 full trays
100	21.9 lb	21.9 lb	3 full + 1 half trays
150	32.8 lb	32.8 lb	5 full trays

These are standard food-service planning figures, not fixed constants. Real yield moves with cut, trim level, cooking method, and how long the food is held. Weigh your own results once and adjust the factor to your kitchen.

Things that change the number

Classic BBQ side: guests take smaller scoops if baked beans and potato salad are also offered.
Keep dressed coleslaw refrigerated below 40°F until immediately before buffet setup.
Vinegar-based slaws hold up much longer at outdoor events than mayo-based slaws.

Common questions

How much coleslaw per person?: Plan on 3.5 to 4 oz (about 1/2 cup) of coleslaw per person as a side for BBQ or sandwiches. For 50 guests, order or prepare roughly 11 to 12 lb of finished coleslaw.
How much coleslaw for 50 people?: For 50 guests, order about 10.9 lb of finished dressed coleslaw (or shredded cabbage blend), which serves about 10.9 lb. That is roughly 2 full trays.
How much coleslaw for 100 people?: For 100 guests, order about 21.9 lb of finished dressed coleslaw (or shredded cabbage blend), which serves about 21.9 lb. That is roughly 3 full + 1 half trays.

Working out a whole menu, not one dish?

The catering food calculator takes your actual dish list and guest count and returns quantities, tray counts, and a cost range for the whole event.

Quoting events for your restaurant? ZiaPilot captures catering inquiries and helps your team prepare quotes from your own menu. Start with Free; Growth adds WhatsApp and AI quoting.

Explore catering software →Calculate whole menu