How much salmon for 50 people?

For 50 guests, order about 21.6 lb of raw skinless salmon sides / fillets, which serves about 18.8 lb. That is roughly 3 full trays.

How much salmon for 100 people?

For 100 guests, order about 43.1 lb of raw skinless salmon sides / fillets, which serves about 37.5 lb. That is roughly 6 full trays.

Catering portion guide

How much salmon per person?

In short

Plan on 6 oz of cooked salmon fillet per person as a plated or buffet main. Because salmon retains moisture well, purchase about 7 oz raw fillet per person: 50 guests requires about 22 lb of raw salmon fillets.

Buy more salmon than you serve

Skinless fresh salmon fillets have minimal trim waste, losing roughly 10% to 15% moisture during baking or poaching. Skin-on sides add a modest 5% trim allowance.

Planning factor: 1.15x. For every 1 lb you want to serve, order about 1.15 lb of raw skinless salmon sides / fillets.

How much salmon for 10 to 100 people

Order is what to buy as raw skinless salmon sides / fillets. Serves is what reaches the plate after trim and cooking.

Salmon quantities by guest count, showing purchase weight and served weight
Guests	Order	Serves	Trays
8	3.5 lb	3 lb	1 half tray
10	4.3 lb	3.8 lb	1 full tray
12	5.2 lb	4.5 lb	1 full tray
15	6.5 lb	5.6 lb	1 full tray
16	6.9 lb	6 lb	1 full tray
20	8.6 lb	7.5 lb	1 full + 1 half trays
24	10.4 lb	9 lb	1 full + 1 half trays
25	10.8 lb	9.4 lb	1 full + 1 half trays
30	12.9 lb	11.3 lb	2 full trays
40	17.3 lb	15 lb	2 full + 1 half trays
50	21.6 lb	18.8 lb	3 full trays
60	25.9 lb	22.5 lb	3 full + 1 half trays
75	32.3 lb	28.1 lb	4 full + 1 half trays
80	34.5 lb	30 lb	4 full + 1 half trays
100	43.1 lb	37.5 lb	6 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

On a dual-protein buffet (e.g., salmon and beef), downsize fillet portions to 4 oz cooked (5 oz raw).
Bake on parchment-lined sheet pans to prevent delicate fillets from breaking when transferred to chafing dishes.
Serve with sauce (lemon dill, honey garlic, or hollandaise) on the side to prevent sogginess.

Common questions

How much salmon per person?: Plan on 6 oz of cooked salmon fillet per person as a plated or buffet main. Because salmon retains moisture well, purchase about 7 oz raw fillet per person: 50 guests requires about 22 lb of raw salmon fillets.
How much salmon for 50 people?: For 50 guests, order about 21.6 lb of raw skinless salmon sides / fillets, which serves about 18.8 lb. That is roughly 3 full trays.
How much salmon for 100 people?: For 100 guests, order about 43.1 lb of raw skinless salmon sides / fillets, which serves about 37.5 lb. That is roughly 6 full trays.

Working out a whole menu, not one dish?

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