This easy and tasty Green Beans for a Crowd recipe gets its flavor from cooking them in bacon, onions, and apple cider vinegar.
Planning a large dinner party or event and need to know how many cans of green beans you’ll need to feed a crowd? Green beans are a classic side dish that can serve a versatile role at any gathering. When cooking for 50 people being prepared with the right amount is key.
In this article, we’ll discuss how to calculate the number of cans needed based on serving size, event duration, preferences, and other factors. We’ll also answer common questions to ensure you buy enough green beans without too much waste.
Calculating the Servings Per Can
The first step is figuring out how many servings come in each can of green beans. Serving sizes can vary based on the can’s total weight and dimensions. Typically, a 15 oz can contains around 4 to 5 servings, while larger 28 to 30 oz cans may have 6 to 8 servings.
To determine the exact number, check the canned green bean’s nutrition label. The “Serving Size” will be listed in ounces, cups, or other metric. Take the total can weight and divide it by the serving size weight to find out the total servings per container.
For example, if a 30 oz can lists the Serving Size as 1/2 cup (about 4 oz), dividing 30 oz by 4 oz tells us there are about 7.5 servings in that can.
Estimating Needed Servings
Once you know the number of servings per can, you can estimate how many cans are needed for 50 people. The typical serving size is around 4 oz or 1/2 cup, but you may want to increase it slightly when feeding a large group. Plan for 5-6 oz or 3/4 cup per person.
To find the total number of servings needed
- Decide on serving size – We’ll plan for 5 oz per person
- Multiply serving size by number of people – 5 oz x 50 people = 250 oz
- Divide total oz needed by oz per can – 250 oz / 30 oz per can = 8 cans
So for 50 people with a 5 oz serving size, you’d need about 8 standard sized cans of green beans.
Event Duration and Side Dishes
That 8 can estimate is a baseline, but the actual amount could vary depending on other factors. If it’s an extended multi-hour event, you may want a couple extra cans to allow people to take second helpings. Or if green beans are one of many sides, you can scale back a bit.
For a shorter dinner, 6 to 7 cans is plenty. If it’s an all day picnic with only green beans as a vegetable, go for 10 cans or more. Gauge based on your specific menu and the time span guests will be served.
Preferred Amounts and Dietary Needs
Guest preferences can also change the calculations. If the majority of attendees are big green bean fans, bump up the totals. For pickier eaters or groups with more kids, you may need less.
Accommodating dietary restrictions is important too. Go heavier on the green beans if you have a lot of vegetarians or vegans. Ask guests about needs in advance whenever possible.
Aim to have too many rather than too few cans. Leftovers keep well as long as you refrigerate promptly. You can also donate unopened cans.
Frequently Asked Questions
Planning your green bean quantities for a group dinner can get tricky. Here are answers to some common questions:
How many servings are in a standard can?
There are typically 4 to 8 servings per 15 to 30 oz can, depending on serving size. Check the actual label to be sure.
What’s the best serving size estimate?
When cooking for a crowd, plan for 5 to 6 oz or 3/4 cup per person. Increase amounts for bigger appetites.
Should I get extra cans even if green beans are just a side dish?
Yes, get 1 or 2 extra as backups. People often go back for seconds on sides.
What if I don’t know people’s preferences?
When in doubt, get extra cans. Having too many is better than running out.
How can I use up leftovers?
Refrigerate promptly in shallow containers. Eat within 3-5 days. Or freeze in airtight bags for up to 6 months.
Can I substitute fresh or frozen green beans?
Yes, but plan for about 1 1/2 pounds fresh or frozen per can needed. Adjust cooking method as required.
With some simple calculations and planning ahead for extras, you can ensure you buy the right green bean quantities for any event. Let us know if you have any other questions!
Recipe For Green Beans in a Roaster
For Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter, a BBQ, or a big family get-together, roasting green beans is a quick and cheap way to make a vegetable side dish.
It only takes twenty minutes to make this green bean recipe for a lot of people. The roaster does the work, making the oven free for a big holiday party or get-together.
This recipe for large groups is easy to make in a roaster, while our bacon-onion green beans recipe is great for a small group.
To taste more like these Smoked Green Beans with Bacon add a few light dashes of liquid smoke.
Once cooked the beans will turn from bright green to a deeper, darker green color. Even in our own home we notice variation in our preference for how tender green beans should be.
We love this Easy Macaroni Salad for a Crowd recipe or this Pasta Salad for a Crowd recipe when we want to make a lot of a cold side dish.
- Before serving at a big event, make sure you test this recipe in your own roaster to see how it works with different brands and sizes.
- After the first hour, stir it every 30 minutes to keep it from burning and to make sure it’s done.
- There are many things that can change the cooking time, such as the amount of liquid, the type of beans, the quantity, and so on.
- If you need to move the roaster, make sure you have two people with you so that one person doesn’t have to handle the hot, heavy machine by themselves.
- It’s best to make beans and bacon from scratch the day you want to serve them. Toss the beans with the bacon grease, onions, and vinegar when the bacon grease is still warm and liquid.
- If you have extra or leftover green beans, put them in a freezer container or a self-sealing freezer bag. They freeze and reheat well.
- I tried putting pre-cooked bacon bits on green beans, and the quality is much worse than when I fried bacon and used the drippings.
- Even though they’ve been cooking for two hours, the beans are still a bit chewy.
- This recipe doesn’t call for putting the beans in water all the way through, because that would wash off some of the seasoning on top.
- When cooking with chunks of red potatoes, baby potatoes, and ham hocks, green beans can be put in water.
- For a stronger smoke flavor, you can add 2 to 3 drops of liquid smoke to the pan while the onions are cooking.
- You can add more chopped bacon for flavor while serving if you want to.
It’s possible to make a lot of our Arkansas Green Beans with soy sauce, brown sugar, butter, and bacon.
How Many Pounds of Green Beans to Feed 50?
About 8 – 10 pounds of uncooked green beans without liquid will feed 50 people.
This is about two-thirds of a cup of frozen, raw beans that cook down to about half a cup each.
