Pulled Pork Per Person Calculator

Pork shoulder (pork butt) typically loses about 40% of its raw weight during a long smoke or braise, as fat renders out and moisture evaporates over many hours of cooking.

A common serving estimate is about 1/3 pound of cooked pulled pork per person for a sandwich-style serving, though hearty appetites or a meal with fewer sides may call for more.

Bone-in pork shoulder is generally preferred for pulled pork because the bone helps retain moisture and adds flavor during the long cook; this calculator's shrinkage estimate assumes a typical bone-in cut.