How much green beans for 50 people?

For 50 guests, order about 12.6 lb of fresh whole green beans, which serves about 10.9 lb. That is roughly 2 full trays.

How much green beans for 100 people?

For 100 guests, order about 25.2 lb of fresh whole green beans, which serves about 21.9 lb. That is roughly 4 full trays.

Catering portion guide

How much green beans per person?

In short

Plan on 3.5 to 4 oz of cooked green beans per person as a side dish. For fresh whole beans, buy 4.5 oz per person: 50 guests needs about 14 lb raw green beans (or approx 11 lb cooked).

Buy more green beans than you serve

Fresh whole green beans lose roughly 12% to 15% when stem ends are trimmed. Pre-trimmed bagged beans have zero trim loss.

Planning factor: 1.15x. For every 1 lb you want to serve, order about 1.15 lb of fresh whole green beans.

How much green beans for 10 to 100 people

Order is what to buy as fresh whole green beans. Serves is what reaches the plate after trim and cooking.

Green Beans quantities by guest count, showing purchase weight and served weight
Guests	Order	Serves	Trays
10	2.5 lb	2.2 lb	1 half tray
12	3 lb	2.6 lb	1 half tray
15	3.8 lb	3.3 lb	1 full tray
16	4 lb	3.5 lb	1 full tray
20	5 lb	4.4 lb	1 full tray
24	6 lb	5.3 lb	1 full tray
25	6.3 lb	5.5 lb	1 full tray
30	7.5 lb	6.6 lb	1 full + 1 half trays
40	10.1 lb	8.8 lb	1 full + 1 half trays
50	12.6 lb	10.9 lb	2 full trays
60	15.1 lb	13.1 lb	2 full + 1 half trays
75	18.9 lb	16.4 lb	3 full trays
80	20.1 lb	17.5 lb	3 full trays
100	25.2 lb	21.9 lb	4 full trays
150	37.7 lb	32.8 lb	5 full + 1 half 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

Blanch in salted boiling water then shock in ice water to lock in bright green color before buffet reheating.
Toss with sautéed garlic, bacon bits, or toasted almonds right before service.
One full 2.5-inch hotel pan comfortably holds 25 to 30 side portions.

Common questions

How much green beans per person?: Plan on 3.5 to 4 oz of cooked green beans per person as a side dish. For fresh whole beans, buy 4.5 oz per person: 50 guests needs about 14 lb raw green beans (or approx 11 lb cooked).
How much green beans for 50 people?: For 50 guests, order about 12.6 lb of fresh whole green beans, which serves about 10.9 lb. That is roughly 2 full trays.
How much green beans for 100 people?: For 100 guests, order about 25.2 lb of fresh whole green beans, which serves about 21.9 lb. That is roughly 4 full trays.

Working out a whole menu, not one dish?

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