How Many Baked Beans Should You Make for 100 People?

For the best Baked Beans for a Crowd of 100, use this simple recipe that starts with canned beans and adds hamburger, bacon, and brown sugar.

Baked beans are a beloved side dish for backyard BBQs potlucks, and other large gatherings. But determining how much to make when you’re cooking for a crowd can be tricky. You want to make sure there’s enough to go around without ending up with loads of leftovers.

So how many baked beans should you prepare if you’re expecting 100 guests? Here’s a thorough guide to help you figure it out

Key Factors to Consider

When calculating quantities for any recipe, there are a few key details to take into account:

Will the beans be a main dish or a side? If it’s a main meal, you’ll need larger portions.
What other food and sides will be served? If there are fewer dishes, people may take more baked beans.
How many people do you expect to actually attend? Prepare a little extra just in case.
Do your guests typically take large or small portions? Appetites can vary.
Will you batch cook the beans or prepare as needed throughout the event? Batch cooking may lead to more waste.
Do you want leftovers? Some cooks purposely make extra for lunches the next day.

Thinking through questions like these will help you determine the right quantity. The specific recipe also matters when planning for a crowd.

Standard Recipe for Baked Beans

Here is an overview of a typical baked bean recipe:

Beans: Navy, Great Northern, cannellini, or pinto beans are common choices. Use dried or canned.
Sauce: Molasses, brown sugar, ketchup, mustard, and spices like garlic, onion, salt, and pepper.
Meat: Many recipes include bacon, ham, or salt pork for flavor. Leave out for vegetarian versions.
Liquid: Water, stock or juice to prevent drying out while baking. Tomato juice adds tang.
Seasonings: Maple syrup, Worcestershire or BBQ sauce are frequent additions.

With this basic formula in mind, we can estimate how much to make per person.

Recommended Portions

For a side dish serving of baked beans, plan for 1/4 to 1/3 cup per person.

So for 100 guests, you’ll need 25-33 cups total. This allows 2-3 heaping spoonfuls per plate.

If serving baked beans as a main dish or entree, allow 1/2 to 3/4 cup per person.

For 100 people, this equals 50-75 cups to ensure ample portions.

When in doubt, lean towards more rather than less. Running out of food would be far worse than having leftovers.

Bulk Recipe for 100

Here is a sample bulk recipe for baked beans feeding 100 people:

4 #10 cans (approx. 96 oz each) low sodium baked beans
6 1/2 cups additional canned beans
2 cups dehydrated chopped onions
1/4 cup dry mustard powder
3 cups packed brown sugar

This combination provides around 33 cups of beans total.

Scale the sauce ingredients up or down based on preference. For a creamier texture, stir in an additional can of beans drained of liquid.

Portion beans into smaller pans for even heating. Bake at 325°F until heated through, about an hour.

Serving Tips

To prevent the beans from drying out when cooking for crowds:

Cook beans in a slow cooker or chafing dishes to keep warm.
Add extra sauce and liquid to the batch.
Keep canned beans and sauce on hand to moisten as needed.
Replace some sauce with diced onions or peppers for texture.
Offer a variety of condiments so guests can customize.

With the right techniques and a little trial and error, you can master the art of baking the perfect quantity of beans. The tasty, crowd-pleasing result will be well worth it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Planning your baked bean buffet? Here are answers to some common questions:

How far in advance can I make them?

You can prep baked beans 2-3 days before and refrigerate. Reheat gently before serving.

Can I use different types of beans?

Kidney, cannellini, black beans, and chickpeas all work well. Mix it up!

What are good toppings?

Creative options: bacon, brisket, coleslaw, pickled onions, crumbled cornbread.

Can I make them vegetarian/vegan?

Yes! Omit the meat and use vegetable stock. Cut the richness with a splash of vinegar.

How do I keep them warm?

Use chafing dishes, crockpots, or warming trays to maintain temperature and moisture.

Can I freeze the leftovers?

Absolutely. Baked beans freeze well for 2-3 months. Thaw in the fridge before reheating.

Are baked beans healthy?

They can be! Use less sugar and low-sodium beans. Add veggies for nutrients. Portion modestly.

How can I add smoky flavor?

Try smoked paprika, chipotle pepper, or a splash of bourbon. A touch of liquid smoke also works.

What are some alternate cooking methods?

You can make baked bean casseroles or even cook them in a slow cooker or pressure cooker.

Can I control the sweetness?

Yes, reduce or increase brown sugar and molasses to preference. Honey, maple syrup, and jelly work too.

What flavor profiles can I create?

Make them tangy with ketchup, mustard, or vinegar. Savory with warm spices. Sweet and sticky with extra molasses.

How else can I serve them?

Get creative with baked bean tacos, nachos, sandwiches, omelets, burgers, pizza, and more!

When feeding a crowd, baked beans are a stick-to-your-ribs side dish that nearly everyone loves. Hopefully these tips help you plan the perfect quantity for your next big potluck or family reunion. Happy cooking!

how many baked beans for 100

Tips & Tricks for Using a Roaster

It takes about three to four hours to roast beans at 300°F. Every 45 minutes to an hour, you should stir them.
On low heat (200°F), baked beans will stay good for three hours. Stir them often, about every 30 to 45 minutes.
Stir the beans at least once every 45 minutes to an hour while they’re cooking, but don’t take the lid off. The lid keeps the heat in and helps the beans cook.
Different sizes and types of roasters cook food at different temperatures and for different amounts of time.
Since beans keep well, I would cook them about an hour before I serve them. For those who aren’t, you can heat some beans up faster in the oven or crock pot so they’re ready to serve when the party starts.
Within the first hour, the edges of the roaster should be slowly simmering. If they aren’t, raise the heat and keep the lid on until you hear some simmering.
The beans will cook faster and keep that valuable heat in if you keep the lid on the roaster.
Making smaller amounts of this recipe? Put them in the oven at 350°F for 90 minutes or put them in a crock pot on low for 3 hours.
The recipe calls for a 20-quart roaster, which gives us plenty of room to stir and move the food.
If you want to make baked beans for 50 people, you can cut the recipe in half and use an 18-quart roaster.