How many pounds of bar-b-que should you buy for 25 people?

For a gathering of 25 people, a good rule of thumb is to plan for about 1/3 to 1/2 pound of barbecued meat per person. This means you should buy approximately 8 to 12.5 pounds of barbecue. If you're serving additional sides, you can lean toward the lower end of that range. Adjust based on your guests' appetites and if barbecue is the main dish.