How many lbs of fresh green beans should I buy for 8 people?

For 8 people, you should plan on about 1/3 to 1/2 pound of fresh green beans per person, depending on whether they are a main side dish or one of several sides. This means you would need approximately 2.5 to 4 pounds of green beans in total. If you want leftovers or are serving particularly hungry guests, err on the higher end of that range.