Free coleslaw batch calculator. Enter servings to work out the cabbage and dressing you need for a coleslaw batch for a barbecue or party.
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Enter servings. This calculator allows 120 grams of cabbage and 40 millilitres of dressing per serving, so 10 servings need 1200 grams of cabbage and 400 millilitres of dressing. That is about 4.2 ounces of cabbage per serving, matching the standard barbecue side portion used by party guides.
Party guides use different portions, so this page states its assumption. A light side is about 3 ounces per person, a standard barbecue side is about 4 ounces, a main side or topping bar is about 6.5 ounces, and a large event portion can reach 4 to 6 ounces. This calculator allows 120 grams of cabbage per serving, which is about 4.2 ounces and matches the standard barbecue side. For a buffet with many dishes, use a smaller portion. For a main side with pulled pork, use a larger portion and count servings above the guest count. In oz terms, 120 grams is about 4.2 oz per serving, which is the standard coleslaw per person oz figure used here. How much coleslaw for 150 guests? At 120 grams per serving, 150 guests need 18000 grams, or 18 kilograms, of cabbage. Coleslaw for 300 people needs double that, or 36 kilograms. Coleslaw for potluck buffet service works best at a light side portion, because guests take many small dishes at a buffet.
Coleslaw on a pulled pork sandwich is a topping, not a side dish, and needs only about 1.5 to 2 ounces per person. The same coleslaw served as a side dish with pulled pork needs about 5.5 ounces per person in some party guides. Do not use one pulled pork number for both jobs. This calculator uses a side dish portion, so reduce servings if coleslaw is only a sandwich topping. That distinction resolves the biggest contradiction in competitor guides.
A 14 ounce bag of coleslaw mix serves about 5 to 6 guests as a standard side, while a 16 ounce bag serves about 10 people as an accompaniment in some crowd recipes. For cabbage heads, allow about 1 bag or one half small head per 6 to 8 servings, depending on head size. One cup of shredded coleslaw weighs about 85 grams, so 120 grams per serving is about 1.4 cups of shredded cabbage before dressing. Dressed coleslaw shrinks by about 25 to 30 percent, so a 16 ounce bag yields roughly 11 to 12 ounces dressed.
Dressing amount depends on style. For 1 pound of coleslaw mix, a creamy dressing needs about three quarters of a cup, a vinaigrette needs about one half cup, an Asian sesame dressing needs about one third cup, and a buttermilk ranch dressing needs about two thirds of a cup. This calculator allows 40 millilitres of dressing per serving, which is close to the creamy style amount. Vinaigrette needs less dressing than creamy, because it coats more thinly and does not sit as heavily on the cabbage. The creamy vs vinegar coleslaw dressing amount differs: creamy dressing needs about 180 millilitres per pound of mix, while a vinegar based vinaigrette needs about 120 millilitres per pound.
Shred cabbage up to 24 hours ahead, but dress coleslaw 1 to 2 hours before serving for the best crunch. To keep coleslaw from getting watery, salt cabbage for 30 minutes before dressing and drain it, because salt draws out water. Leftovers last 3 to 4 days refrigerated for a dressed slaw, and up to 5 days for some undressed recipes. Keep coleslaw chilled at a party and do not leave it out for long periods, especially in warm weather.
Cost for a party depends on the route. For 20 people, party guides show bagged mix at about 6 to 10 dollars, homemade at about 4 to 7 dollars, and deli coleslaw at about 14 to 22 dollars. For 50 people, the same guides show bags at 14 to 22 dollars, homemade at 9 to 14 dollars, and deli at 33 to 55 dollars. Homemade is usually cheapest, bags are fastest, and deli is most convenient but most expensive. Buy one extra bag as a buffer, because running out of a side dish is worse than having a small leftover. The homemade vs store bought coleslaw choice is simple: homemade is cheapest, store bought bags are fastest, and deli is most convenient.
Allow about 4 ounces, or about 120 grams of cabbage, per person for a standard barbecue side. Use 3 ounces for a light side and 5.5 to 6.5 ounces for a main side or topping bar.
At 120 grams of cabbage per serving, 10 servings need 1200 grams, 20 servings need 2400 grams, and 50 servings need 6000 grams. Add dressing at 40 millilitres per serving on top of the cabbage weight.
A 14 ounce bag serves about 5 to 6 guests as a standard side, and a 16 ounce bag serves about 10 people as an accompaniment. For a main side, plan on fewer guests per bag and buy one extra bag as a buffer.
This calculator allows 40 millilitres of dressing per serving. For 1 pound of mix, creamy dressing needs about three quarters of a cup, vinaigrette about one half cup, and Asian sesame about one third cup.
Shred cabbage up to 24 hours ahead and dress coleslaw 1 to 2 hours before serving. Dressing earlier softens the cabbage, which suits a marinated style but not a crunchy style.
Salt cabbage for 30 minutes before dressing and drain the liquid. Dress close to serving time, and avoid adding extra liquid ingredients that thin the dressing.
For 20 people, bagged mix costs about 6 to 10 dollars, homemade about 4 to 7 dollars, and deli about 14 to 22 dollars. For 50 people, those ranges rise to about 14 to 22, 9 to 14, and 33 to 55 dollars.
At a standard side portion, 100 people need about 12 kilograms of cabbage. That is roughly 20 to 25 medium heads, depending on head weight, or about 20 bags of 16 ounce mix as an accompaniment guide.
Five pounds of coleslaw makes about 1 gallon and roughly 32 servings at 4 ounces each. As a main side, it feeds fewer people, and as a light buffet side, it feeds more.
Dressed coleslaw lasts 3 to 4 days in the fridge, and some recipes last up to 5 days. Keep it refrigerated, discard it if it smells sour or looks slimy, and do not leave it out at a party for long periods.
A 14 ounce bag gives about 4 to 5 cups, or 8 to 10 servings at one half cup each, before dressing shrinkage. A 16 ounce bag gives about 5 to 6 cups, or 10 to 12 servings at the same portion.
As a sandwich topping, allow 1.5 to 2 ounces per person. As a side dish served with pulled pork, allow about 5.5 ounces per person. Use the topping figure only when coleslaw goes on the sandwich.
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