Are you making potato salad for a group, but you do not know how much to buy? If so, then you have come to the right place. Below are charts to help you determine how much potato salad you will need for your group size!
As a general rule, purchase 1/2 of a pound per person. The average serving size of potato salad is 1/2 a cup. However, individuals will eat more than the serving size, making the recommended amount 1 cup per person. With more dishes available, less potato salad will be needed.
Below are helpful charts to help you know how much potato salad will be needed, based on the size of your group.
Technical serving size vs reality
The technical serving size of potato salad is very different from the actual amount that people will eat.
The average serving size of potato salad is one-half of a cup, or one-fourth of a pound, or five ounces. However, potato salad is a crowd favorite and your group is likely to eat more than just one-half of a cup, one-fourth of a pound, or five ounces. Typically, when at an event, people will eat double what the serving size is.
If your guests eat double the serving size, that means the recommended amount of potato salad is one cup, one-half of a pound, or ten ounces per person.
How many cups of potato salad
Below is a chart to help you determine exactly how many cups of potato salad is needed, based on the size of your group.
| # of People | Amount needed based on technical serving size (cups) | Amount needed based on reality (cups) |
| 10 | 5 | 10 |
| 20 | 10 | 20 |
| 30 | 15 | 30 |
| 40 | 20 | 40 |
| 50 | 25 | 50 |
| 60 | 30 | 60 |
| 70 | 35 | 70 |
| 80 | 40 | 80 |
| 90 | 45 | 90 |
| 100 | 50 | 100 |
How many pounds of potato salad
Below is a chart to help you determine exactly how many pounds of potato salad is needed, based on the size of your group.
| # of People | Amount needed based on the technical serving size (lbs) | Amount needed based on reality (lbs) |
| 10 | 2.5 | 5 |
| 20 | 5 | 10 |
| 30 | 7.5 | 15 |
| 40 | 10 | 20 |
| 50 | 12.5 | 25 |
| 60 | 15 | 30 |
| 70 | 17.5 | 35 |
| 80 | 20 | 40 |
| 90 | 22.5 | 45 |
| 100 | 25 | 50 |
How many ounces of potato salad
Below is a chart to help you determine exactly how many ounces of potato salad is needed, based on the size of your group.
| # of People | Amount needed based on the technical serving size (oz) | Amount needed based on reality (oz) |
| 10 | 50 | 100 |
| 20 | 100 | 200 |
| 30 | 150 | 300 |
| 40 | 200 | 400 |
| 50 | 250 | 500 |
| 60 | 300 | 600 |
| 70 | 350 | 700 |
| 80 | 400 | 800 |
| 90 | 450 | 900 |
| 100 | 500 | 1,000 |
How many containers for a small group
Below is a chart to help you determine exactly how many containers of potato salad are needed if you have a small group.
| # of People | Container size (oz) | # of Containers | Price based on number of containers needed |
| 2 people | 32 | 1 | $2.36 |
| 3 people | 32 | 1 | $2.36 |
| 4 people | 32 | 2 | $4.72 |
| 5 people | 32 | 2 | $4.72 |
| 6 people | 32 | 2 | $4.72 |
| 7 people | 32 | 3 | $7.08 |
| 8 people | 32 | 3 | $7.08 |
| 9 people | 32 | 3 | $7.08 |
| 10 people | 32 | 4 | $9.44 |
How many containers for a medium sized group
Below is a chart to help you determine exactly how many containers of potato salad are needed if you have a medium-sized group.
| # of People | Container size (oz) | # of Containers | Price based on number of containers needed |
| 15 | 48 | 4 | $17.96 |
| 20 | 48 | 5 | $22.45 |
| 25 | 48 | 6 | $26.94 |
| 30 | 48 | 7 | $31.43 |
| 35 | 48 | 8 | $35.92 |
| 40 | 48 | 9 | $40.41 |
| 45 | 48 | 10 | $44.90 |
| 50 | 48 | 11 | $49.39 |
How many containers for a large group
Below is a chart to help you determine exactly how many containers of potato salad are needed if you have a large group.
| # of People | Container size (oz) | # of containers needed | Price based on number of containers needed |
| 55 | 48 | 12 | $53.88 |
| 60 | 48 | 13 | $58.37 |
| 65 | 48 | 14 | $62.86 |
| 70 | 48 | 15 | $67.35 |
| 75 | 48 | 16 | $71.84 |
| 80 | 48 | 17 | $76.33 |
| 85 | 48 | 18 | $88.82 |
| 90 | 48 | 19 | $85.31 |
| 95 | 48 | 20 | $89.88 |
| 100 | 48 | 21 | $94.29 |
How do you serve potato salad?
As a general rule, you should serve American potato salad cold since they are mostly mayonnaise based. Before serving, refrigerate potato salad in an airtight container so it is cold. When serving, you can keep potato salad cold by simply placing it in a large bowl on top of another bowl filled with ice. Check out this Dip-On-Ice Stainless Steel Serving Bowl
on Amazon. You can also use a freeze chilled bowl like this one on Amazon to keep it cold. You just need to put the bowl in the freezer before you serve the potato salad in it. Cover the potato salad with aluminum foil or plastic wrap when it is not being served. German potato salad can be served hot or cold because the base is made of vinegar and bacon drippings.
How do you store potato salad?
Store potato salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator when you are not serving it. Check out these leak proof airtight bowls on Amazon. Throw away potato salad that has been sitting out any longer than 2 hours above 40 degrees Fahrenheit. Potato salad shouldn’t be eaten or served after it has been left in that temperature range as it can cause food-borne illness.