Planning for a large group chili dinner can seem daunting, but having an estimate of how much chili you need can make preparation much easier. When cooking for a crowd, the general recommendation is to plan for approximately 1 cup of chili per person. However, appetites vary, so making extra is usually a good idea. In this article, we’ll go over some tips and guidelines to help you determine how much chili to make for 30 people.
Factors That Affect Chili Portions
When estimating how much chili to make for a group, there are a few key factors to consider:
- Appetites – Men, teenagers, and active people often consume larger portions.
- Menu – If chili is the main course, larger portions are needed. Smaller portions may be OK if served alongside other dishes.
- Leftovers – It’s usually better to have extra than run out. Leftovers can be frozen.
- Other ingredients/toppings – Having sides like cheese, onions, Fritos etc. allows people to customize their chili and potentially eat less of it.
- Event type – At informal gatherings, people may go back for seconds.
Keeping these factors in mind will help you estimate portions accurately.
How Much Chili Per Person?
The typical recommended portion size for chili is around 1 cup per person. Here are some more specific guidelines based on the type of chili:
Thick Meat Chili
- 3/4 – 1 cup per person
Thick chili with lots of meat and beans is very filling, so smaller portions in the 3/4 to 1 cup range are often sufficient.
Chunky Vegetable Chili
- 1 – 1 1/4 cups per person
Lighter veggie chili with less meat can allow for slightly larger portions of 1 to 1 1/4 cups per person.
White Chicken Chili
- 1 – 1 1/2 cups per person
White chicken chili made with green chilies, chicken and beans tends to be lighter, so portions on the larger side are appropriate.
Spicy Chili
- 3/4 cup per person
If the chili has a lot of heat from peppers and spices, smaller 3/4 cup portions are typically sufficient, since people may not want large servings of a very spicy food.
Chili Portion Size Recommendations
Based on typical portion sizes, here are some recommendations for how much chili to make for a group meal:
| Number of People | Chili Needed (in quarts) |
|---|---|
| 10 | 2.5 quarts |
| 15 | 4 quarts |
| 20 | 5 quarts |
| 25 | 6-7 quarts |
| 30 | 8 quarts |
These estimates are based on 1 cup portions. Scale the amounts up or down based on your specific chili recipe and the appetites of your group.
Chili Calculator
For a more customized estimate, you can use our chili calculator:
Inputs:
- Number of people: 30
- Portion size: 1 cup (adjust up or down as needed)
Calculator:
Number of people x Portion size in cups = Total cups of chili needed
30 people x 1 cup per person = 30 cups of chili
Since 1 quart = 4 cups:
Total cups of chili / 4 cups per quart = Quarts of chili needed
30 cups / 4 cups per quart = 7.5 quarts
Result:
For 30 people with 1 cup portions, you will need around 7.5 quarts of chili. Round up to 8 quarts or 2 gallons to be safe.
Chili Recipe Adjustments
Once you know approximately how much chili you need, you can adjust your favorite recipe accordingly:
- Double or triple the recipe to yield the desired quantity.
- Make the recipe in batches using a very large pot or divide between multiple pots.
- For potluck-style events, have guests bring 1-2 quarts each in slow cookers.
If needed, the quantities of meat, beans, tomatoes, and other ingredients can often be scaled up proportionally.
Tips for Cooking Chili for a Crowd
Here are some additional tips to help make preparing a large batch of chili go smoothly:
- Cook in advance. Chili often tastes even better the next day.
- Cook in a very large pot, Dutch oven, or divide into multiple pots.
- Have plenty of toppings and sides available so people can customize their bowls.
- Keep the chili warm in a slow cooker or over very low heat.
- Provide serving utensils that hold ~1 cup portions.
- Label the chili with the ingredients for anyone with food allergies.
Serving Chili to a Group
When serving a crowd, keep these tips in mind:
- Set up a self-serve chili bar so people can serve themselves.
- Provide toppings in bulk containers or individual portion cups.
- Keep empty bowls and cups available for second helpings.
- Monitor the chili supply and replenish as needed.
- Have a plan for leftovers – send home with guests or refrigerate/freeze.
Popular Chili Toppings
Having a variety of toppings and sides allows guests to customize their chili. Here are some popular chili toppings:
| Topping | Serving Size |
|---|---|
| Shredded Cheddar Cheese | 1-2 Tbsp |
| Chopped Onions | 1-2 Tbsp |
| Sour Cream | 1-2 Tbsp |
| Diced Tomatoes | 1-2 Tbsp |
| Tortilla Chips | 1 oz / Small Handful |
| Cornbread | 1 – 2 oz |
| Hot Sauce | 1/2 – 1 tsp |
Allow for about 1-2 tbsp per person of lighter toppings like cheese, onions, etc. Heavier items like tortilla chips or cornbread can be portioned at around 1-2 oz per person.
Side Dishes
Complement your chili with these crowd-pleasing sides:
- Cornbread – Allow 1 piece (2 oz) per person
- Dinner rolls – 2 rolls per person
- Green salad – 1 cup servings
- Corn on the cob – 1 ear per person
- Rice or beans – 1/2 cup side portions
- Tortilla chips and salsa
- Fruit salad
Sides provide variety and help absorb and balance out the richness of the chili.
Desserts
Satisfy your guests’ sweet tooth with these deserts:
- Cookies – 2 large cookies per person
- Brownies – 1 large (2″ square) brownie per person
- Rice krispie treats – 1 bar per person
- Dirt pudding cups – 1 pre-portioned 4 oz cup per person
- Pies – 1/6 to 1/8 of a 9″ pie per person
Plan for the appropriate serving size based on the type and quantity of desserts offered.
Beverages
Having enough drinks is also key when serving a large group. Some beverage ideas include:
- Water – At least 16 oz per person
- Iced tea / Lemonade – 12-16 oz per person
- Soda – 1 can (12 oz) per person
- Beer – 2 beers per person
- Wine – 5 oz per person
- Coffee – 8-12 oz per coffee drinker
Provide a variety of non-alcoholic and alcoholic beverage options as desired.
Non-Food Supplies
Don’t forget these other non-food supplies when serving chili to a crowd:
- Plates, bowls, cups, napkins and utensils – At least 1 set per person
- Serving utensils – Large spoons, tongs, spatulas, ladles, etc.
- Trash cans and bags – Have extras available
- Ice and coolers to keep drinks cold
- Hand sanitizer or wet wipes
- Tablecloths, decorations, music, etc. to set the mood
Key Takeaways
Here are some key tips to keep in mind when making chili for a crowd:
- Plan for around 1 cup of chili per person.
- Make extra – 8 quarts of chili for 30 people.
- Adjust your recipe or cook in batches to yield the total amount needed.
- Make in advance and keep warm in a slow cooker or over low heat.
- Offer chili toppings and sides for variety.
- Serve buffet-style with self-serve options.
- Have plenty of bowls, utensils, drinks and other supplies on-hand.
Planning ahead takes the stress out of serving chili to a large gathering. With these guidelines and tips, you can comfortably feed a crowd while making sure your guests leave full and happy.
Conclusion
In summary, feeding a group of 30 people chili requires careful planning and preparation. Allow for approximately 1 cup of chili per person, which for 30 people equals out to about 8 quarts or 2 gallons. Make extra chili to ensure there are leftovers rather than running short. Scale up your favorite chili recipe accordingly to yield the total amount required. Cook the chili in advance and keep it hot in slow cookers or over very low heat. Offer a variety of toppings like cheese, onions, tortilla chips and sides dishes to complement the chili. Serve buffet-style and make sure to have ample bowls, utensils and other supplies. Follow these tips and you’ll be able to comfortably feed a crowd of 30 people delicious chili they’ll love.