B-Day Party pulled pork/food ?'s

[dreamin_disney]

DD's bday is coming and she wants pulled pork sandwiches.

The reason I'm posting on budget board is because I need it to budget friendly and I dont want to mess up the pork-lol!

There are about 76 on guest list. 32 have already rsvp'd i should have final count by the end of the month.


want to make a simple flavorful recipe. I dont want to use beer or soda.
I have a 22 qrt electric roaster over that I plan on using.

I need advance on how to do it. I've searched the net but there isnt recipes on how to make it in a roaster.

do i just place the pork butts in it and add water or broth or do i use a rack(i dont understand what the difference is and how it makes the meat taste different). I've only use the roaster 2-3 times for other stuff but the pressure of doing it right for 70 people-lol!

This was my plan for a safe pulled pork but if anyone has a for sure better recipe please let me know.

I was going to add water . Season the butts with salt, add garlic cloves, fresh onion or onion powder. cook on low. then when done remove juice. shred pork and add bbq sauce then return and cook in roaster for a few mins then set on warm

any advice???? We dont like the sweet or tangy pulled pork but we do like famous daves pulled pork sandwiches. I know certain areas are different.
1..btw for 70 people will 20lbs raw meat be enough or do i need more??

2.What type of buns ? I was going to use regular hamburger buns from costco seems to be the affordable kind for 70 people---

3. curious to know whats your fav bbq sauce?
------------------------

family show up at different times so the early birds usually eat the appetizers
then I need to put out more so if party starts at 1:00 do i have everything out or wait 15 min after party starts,
-nachos, veggies chips and salsa

are appetizers a must if a full meal is served?
---------------
sides

-potato salad
-mac salad
-coleslaw if I find the right kfc copy cat recipe
-baked beans what brand taste the best?
-corn on the cob ( the frozen smaller ones from costco)
-rolls
-any other side ideas that are budget friendly?
cake and ice cream

I dont think this is going to be to buget friendly

any advice or tips?

 

[Singinglizzie]

I'm a big fan of slow roasted pulled pork. I usually use pork shoulder, cut up into 1.5 inch squares, with onions and peppers, and sauce. I use either an adobo sauce (spicey) or a korean bulgogi sauce (sweet) and bake in the oven covered with foil for about 3-4 hours on 350 degrees. You can omit the peppers. #1) 20 lbs per 70 people = .28 lb, so yeah it is about right as you will want about 1/4 lb per person, however if your friends are big eaters, you might want to add a couple more pounds to play it safe.

#2) Hamburger buns from costco should be just fine!

#3) fav bbq is the Korean Bulgogi which I buy at an Asian market, but you can also buy at some grocery stores, it's great with pork since it's a sweet soy marinade with korean pear - yummy!

To make sure your guest have more than just a pulled pork sandwich, I would suggest making a side of coleslaw, which could also be added into your pork sandwiches. The coleslaw adds a bit of crunch and some restaurants in our area include it in their sandwiches.


Have fun and hope you have a great party.

 

[foreUT]

Love pulled pork and make it regularly for my very appreciative family. I get the Boston Butt (usually around 10-12 pounds) and cook on convection at high heat for around 30 minutes to sear the outside and then cook slowly for another 8 hours on 200-225 radiant heat. I do coat with a mild barbeque sauce before and during cooking, but depend on the pork itself to provide the flavor. I remove from bone and chop as quickly as I can after letting it rest, initially. Not sure that 20 pounds will be enough for 70 people because there is a lot shrinkage in the roast. The rest of your menu sounds great!

 

[dreamin_disney]

I'm a big fan of slow roasted pulled pork. I usually use pork shoulder, cut up into 1.5 inch squares, with onions and peppers, and sauce. I use either an adobo sauce (spicey) or a korean bulgogi sauce (sweet) and bake in the oven covered with foil for about 3-4 hours on 350 degrees. You can omit the peppers. #1) 20 lbs per 70 people = .28 lb, so yeah it is about right as you will want about 1/4 lb per person, however if your friends are big eaters, you might want to add a couple more pounds to play it safe.

#2) Hamburger buns from costco should be just fine!

#3) fav bbq is the Korean Bulgogi which I buy at an Asian market, but you can also buy at some grocery stores, it's great with pork since it's a sweet soy marinade with korean pear - yummy!

To make sure your guest have more than just a pulled pork sandwich, I would suggest making a side of coleslaw, which could also be added into your pork sandwiches. The coleslaw adds a bit of crunch and some restaurants in our area include it in their sandwiches.


Have fun and hope you have a great party.

sounds yummy!

Love pulled pork and make it regularly for my very appreciative family. I get the Boston Butt (usually around 10-12 pounds) and cook on convection at high heat for around 30 minutes to sear the outside and then cook slowly for another 8 hours on 200-225 radiant heat. I do coat with a mild barbeque sauce before and during cooking, but depend on the pork itself to provide the flavor. I remove from bone and chop as quickly as I can after letting it rest, initially. Not sure that 20 pounds will be enough for 70 people because there is a lot shrinkage in the roast. The rest of your menu sounds great!

Do you make your in an electric roaster oven?? The electric roaster oven i'm using is a similar one to a nesco but mine is oster. Not sure the difference cooking methods between the stove/oven and electric i just know the oven you dont need to add liquid and the roaster ones liquid should be added. I just dont want a burnt taste-

 

[Evi]

I think you'll need more pork. Unless you plan to pre make the sandwiches or have someone making them and passing them buffet style. Unfortunately not everyone portions out evenly on their own and many people serve food they won't eat that ends up in the trash when you do buffet. I can say when roasting a whole pig you calculate an 70-80lb pig should feed 50-60 people and thats with sides. You can adjust it down a little since your serving the meat on bread. Pork has lots of fat so alot will melt off the meat.

 

[dreamin_disney]

I think you'll need more pork. Unless you plan to pre make the sandwiches or have someone making them and passing them buffet style. Unfortunately not everyone portions out evenly on their own and many people serve food they won't eat that ends up in the trash when you do buffet. I can say when roasting a whole pig you calculate an 70-80lb pig should feed 50-60 people and thats with sides. You can adjust it down a little since your serving the meat on bread. Pork has lots of fat so alot will melt off the meat.

I usually do buffet style but i do agree with you. I was thinking of serving the sandwiches and guest can serve themselves the sides.

One issue I do have and it annoyes me a lot so how do I handle it. The parents let the kids serve themselves and like you said they get food just to get and I end up throwing away plates full of food. I was thinking of telling the parents to please serve their own kids. But the 2 families have 5 kids and 3 kids that range 8-12 so i know they'll have the kids do it themselve. How do you all handle that?
and
same thing if i serve do i say to the kid " are you sure your gonna eat that? or just serve small portions and tell them they can get 2nd if they eat it all.

There will be 12 kids and out of those 12... 9 wont eat bbq. I do have nachos that I always have as appetizers but I was thinking of not brining it out right away and just annouce it those that dont like bbq and make nachos.

looking at my list theres about 76, 32 have rsvp'd, 16 are usually a no show so I'm looking at 51 who will be eating bbq but I'll cook for more than that

 

[MSSANDRA]

Pulled pork is always a winner and is an easy, affordable choice most times. I have never done that much but when I do a smaller amount, I do it just as you have planned to. The rule of thumb is one pound will make 4 sandwiches but with people serving themselves, you may need a little more than that. One thought is that you already know that most of the kids are not going to eat what you are serving. Not trying to debate whether or not you cater to picky kids, but reality is, most of the sides are not kid friendly and the kids are not really small kids that eat very little, so...... you may end up with a lot of hungry grumpy kids. I may would thing a little more about what you plan to have for them. Nachos would work but it would take more than an appetizer portion to feed that many kids. Maybe have some hot dogs back and not offer that as a option but offer it just to the kids that indicate they don't like the pork. Maybe add chips to the sides.

 

[Mom2Ben02]

I would much rather buy extra pork than sit and police the table all day. When I have parties, I am always called away to get something/entertain someone/etc., etc, so making sandwiches or asking kids if they really want something would never happen.

I would say 20 lbs of meat is probably ok, if you end up at 51. I do always use hamburger buns, and Sweet Baby Ray's.

FYI, I went out for lunch and the restaurant had baked sweet potatoes with pulled pork on top - YUMMY. Maybe that would be an option, too!

 

[marko]

We used slider rolls with the pulled pork and the small rolls worked out great. It was served with baked Mac and cheese and southern fried chicken.

 

[Rainman415]

I make bbq pork often and we LOVE the Mccormick spice mix. I think it says slow-cooker bbq pork right on the package. Anyway, I always buy a pork shoulder, and mix the spice mix per directions, (you add ketchup, brown sugar,, and vinegar, I believe)and put it in the slow cooker. When I'm serving alot of people, I just borrow some extra crockpots from friends. It works out great and there's minimal work then. The roaster would definately be more work. I like to serve with good homemade coleslaw and party potatoes. I would probably get another 10lbs of meat. I'd rather have too much than not enough. HTH

 

[njcarita]

just throwing it out there..........when I make pulled pork for a party which is quite often I also make a crockpot of sloppy Joes or I order a sub platter........ just because not everyone is a pork fan and i usually like to have more than one option for guests..................... if cost is an issue than maybe limit to just 2 or 3 side dishes............ just my 2 cents................. and when I make BBQ pork i just throw inc crokcpot with Jack Daniels bbq sause and a little xtra water and let it slow cook till its falls apart and than shredd and add more sause and water......

 

[aaarcher86]

Grab a big pork butt. Rub with salt and pepper. Toss it in a slow cooker. Throw in 1c of brewed coffee per 3lbs. Throw in a few beef bouillon cubes. Add a few dashes of liquid smoke and cook away!

I usually cook it 12 hours and it falls apart and is delicious! It makes so much, and it's the best pulled pork I've had and get kudos on it all the time.

I don't BBQ it since a few family members are anti-sauce (THE HORROR!), but guests can just slap on their on BBQ sauce.

My 5lb butt usually feeds around 20 people with some eating more than one, but I'd definitely try to have extra instead of falling short!

 

[aprilgail2]

just throwing it out there..........when I make pulled pork for a party which is quite often I also make a crockpot of sloppy Joes or I order a sub platter........ just because not everyone is a pork fan and i usually like to have more than one option for guests..................... if cost is an issue than maybe limit to just 2 or 3 side dishes............ just my 2 cents................. and when I make BBQ pork i just throw inc crokcpot with Jack Daniels bbq sause and a little xtra water and let it slow cook till its falls apart and than shredd and add more sause and water......

I agree- I would have a turkey or chicken sandwich platter added for those who don't eat pork- I wouldn't touch pork if it was the only thing there to eat LOL-

 

[mhsjax]

I make bbq pork often and we LOVE the Mccormick spice mix. I think it says slow-cooker bbq pork right on the package. Anyway, I always buy a pork shoulder, and mix the spice mix per directions, (you add ketchup, brown sugar,, and vinegar, I believe)and put it in the slow cooker. When I'm serving alot of people, I just borrow some extra crockpots from friends. It works out great and there's minimal work then. The roaster would definately be more work. I like to serve with good homemade coleslaw and party potatoes. I would probably get another 10lbs of meat. I'd rather have too much than not enough. HTH

I do pulled pork frequently, I have never used McCormick's for this, it sound absolutely yummy. I will try that one next time.

 

[mhsjax]

I agree- I would have a turkey or chicken sandwich platter added for those who don't eat pork- I wouldn't touch pork if it was the only thing there to eat LOL-

You could so pulled chicken with bbq sauce, it is quite yummy.

 

[HeatherC]

Another vote for McCormick's Slow Cooker Pulled Pork. You absolutely cannot go wrong with it.

My family loves this and I serve it with the mini potato rolls whenever we have it for a party...with some cole slaw made with Marie's dressing. Yummy!

 

[scbelleatheart]

Grab a big pork butt. Rub with salt and pepper. Toss it in a slow cooker. Throw in 1c of brewed coffee per 3lbs. Throw in a few beef bouillon cubes. Add a few dashes of liquid smoke and cook away!

I usually cook it 12 hours and it falls apart and is delicious! It makes so much, and it's the best pulled pork I've had and get kudos on it all the time.

I don't BBQ it since a few family members are anti-sauce (THE HORROR!), but guests can just slap on their on BBQ sauce.

My 5lb butt usually feeds around 20 people with some eating more than one, but I'd definitely try to have extra instead of falling short!

Now this sounds good! DH does not like BBQ sauce so people can add sauce if they like.
I get the whole pork loins at Sam's Club. One for every 25 people. Not to pricey either.

 

[Snoozan]

My family prefers 'sweet' over 'spicy' for pulled pork so I use Sweet Baby Ray's BBQ sauce. I use either the plain or honey one. You can buy it pretty much anywhere - grocery store, Walmart, BJ's. You will need several bottles for sure.

P.S. We tried doing pulled chicken, but it was just too mushy for us. We much prefer using pork.

 

[dreamin_disney]

The guest I'm inviting are close family . In the past I've done the pizza, fried chicken and large party grinder incase someone doesnt like pizza chciken or grinders. What ends up happening is people will take one of each or 2 so the food still goes pretty fast. The kids that wont eat bbq are the younger ones under 8 but will eat nachos. In the past i notice the younger ones will take 1-2 bites of pizza but will eat small bowl of nachos. The older kids will eat nachos and the bbq. Usually at my parties i try to cater to all but when we go to parties if they do have food it only one choice and everyone gets a small amount and a few get 2nds. When we have parties everyone kinda goes overboard These same people will only have cupcakes and thats it. But whatever they have we dont complain and dont expect special items. I've had people say well my kid only drinks 100% juice do you have some, or request milk for their cake, or their child isnt allowed to eat candy so is there somethig else besides a treat bag-lol!

so I'm only going to stick to bbq sandwiches with sides and nachos and appetizers, drinks and water.

Now I'm going to stick to it because it is family and they usually dont go out of their way to please everyone so even with my menu its a lot compared to what they do.


? question is it really easier to cook the pulled pork in the crockpot than in the roaster oven?? The roaster oven is kinda like a slow cooker and crockpot isnt it just a mini oven right???

I just hope the weather is nice otherwise the party will have to be held inside

 

[dreamin_disney]

I'm keeping a list of all the stuff I need for the party which is basically food. I've never really keep track of dollar amount so i'm doing it this time and OMG! I told dh we need to have smaller parties. Its hard because everyone is family and close. We see each other on the holidays or bdays. Both of dh's parent sides of the family come and just my one side of the family come.

Does anyone make their pulled pork in an electric roaster oven, if so do you put your pork on rack that came with roaster or just set in roaster oven with liquid?

I've read different recipes....some say....
season or put rub on and place on rack in roaster with no liquid.
another said place in roaster and add liquid and one said no rack and no liquid I thought it would burn if theres no liquid.
one said no liquid so pork doesn boil in liquid.

I'm confused on the time. I've read cook the pork buttt slow @ 200 so if anyone has cooked a 20lb or 25lb at 200 how long did it take to cook. Party @ 2pm