How many lbs of red beans will you need to feed 100 people?

The amount of red beans needed to feed 100 people will depend on several factors, such as the portion size and the desired consistency of the dish. As a general guideline, you can estimate the amount of dry red beans needed based on the following assumptions:

1. Standard Serving Size: Consider a standard serving size of about 1/2 cup of cooked red beans per person.

2. Soak and Cook: Dry red beans need to be soaked before cooking to reduce cooking time and improve texture. Soaking the beans overnight is recommended.

3. Cooking Ratio: Red beans typically double to triple in size when cooked.

Based on these assumptions, here's a calculation to estimate the amount of dry red beans you'll need:

1. Standard Serving Size: 1/2 cup cooked red beans per person

2. Number of People: 100 people

3. Total Cooked Red Beans Needed: 100 people x 1/2 cup = 50 cups

4. Cooking Ratio: Red beans typically triple in size when cooked. So, to get 50 cups of cooked red beans, you'll need 50 cups / 3 = 16.67 cups of dry red beans.

5. Dry Red Beans Needed: Convert cups to pounds. One pound of dry red beans is approximately equal to 2 cups. So, you'll need approximately 16.67 cups / 2 cups per pound = 8.34 pounds of dry red beans.

Therefore, you will need approximately 8.34 pounds of dry red beans to feed 100 people, according to these general guidelines. It's always a good idea to have some extra beans on hand in case of spills or larger servings.