How Much Potato Salad Per Guest Should You Prepare for Your Backyard BBQ?

A backyard BBQ is synonymous with good food, laughter, and that fleeting feeling of summer. But when it comes to planning your spread, one of the most puzzling questions often arises: how much potato salad should I make per guest? No one wants to end up with mountains of leftovers, but no one wants to run out of the creamy, tangy goodness either. So, let’s dig in and figure out the perfect portion size for your gathering.

The Potato Salad Dilemma

Potato salad is the side dish that can make or break a BBQ. It’s comforting, familiar, and one of the first things guests will reach for at the table. But there’s a delicate balance to strike when preparing it. Make too much, and you'll be left with a sad, forgotten bowl of mushy potatoes at the end of the evening. Make too little, and you'll be that person whose guests are rationing the last spoonful of salad with their tongs. The question then becomes, how much is just enough?

Serving Sizes and Common Etiquette

The typical rule of thumb for a backyard BBQ is to plan for about 1/2 to 3/4 cup of potato salad per person. Now, before you roll your eyes and say, “That sounds way too little,” hear me out. This portion size assumes you’ve got a spread of other dishes at the table—grilled meats, veggies, perhaps a few other salads, and, of course, some chips for crunch. If potato salad is the main side dish, you may want to lean towards the higher end of that range, maybe even a full cup per guest.

That being said, the real trick lies in understanding your crowd. If you’re serving a small group of people who are known to be potato salad enthusiasts, consider bumping it up slightly—say, 1 cup per person. No shame in overestimating when it comes to a dish this popular. You’ll be the host with the most (even if you end up eating leftovers for the next few days).

Understanding Your Guests’ Appetites

Before diving headfirst into making vast quantities of potato salad, think about your guests' eating habits. Are you dealing with kids who fill up on chips and soda? Or are you hosting a group of hungry adults with bottomless pits for stomachs? If you’ve got a crowd that leans towards grazing and light eating, 1/2 cup per guest might just be perfect. But if your friends are known to go back for thirds, it might be wise to double down. Don’t forget, BBQs can sometimes turn into marathons of eating and snacking, so it’s best to have enough on hand.

A Few Extras to Consider: Backup Plans

For a BBQ, potato salad often plays the role of the side dish, but let's not forget the other players in the game. If you're expecting a crowd of 20 or more, consider having another backup side, just in case your portion estimates fall short. Think about how many meats are on the grill—more meat usually means a larger side dish needs to be prepared. Think of it as a culinary balancing act. A bit of macaroni salad, some grilled corn, or a fresh vegetable salad can lighten the load on the potato salad, reducing the risk of having to make emergency potato salad runs mid-party.

What If There Are Leftovers?

Now, in the unfortunate event that you have leftovers, don't despair. Potato salad has a way of holding up in the fridge for a couple of days, provided you’ve made it properly (with just the right balance of mayo and acidity). The trick is to keep it tightly sealed and store it at the right temperature. If you end up with a whole mountain of it, you can always bring it to work the next day, or—better yet—invite the neighbors over for an impromptu potato salad party. It’s a win-win.