Whether they’re mashed, baked, fried, or roasted, potatoes are a crowd-pleaser that can be enjoyed as a variety of side dishes. They goes well with almost any meal. And that’s why we serve the often.
Whenever it comes to actually pulling enough potatoes out of the bag to serve, you might be left wondering how many you need. For some reason, I feel like I’m always over or under.
If you can estimate the number of people you’ll be serving, then you can definitely estimate how many potatoes to serve. This will keep you from having a ton of leftovers or running out early.
How Many Potatoes to Serve Per Person (by Type)
The first thing to keep in mind is that all potatoes come in different sizes and weigh a different, so it’s not really possible to give a specific number of potatoes to serve. That’s why we give our recommendations in weight rather than number.
If you don’t have a scale and have no way to weigh your potatoes, we will also give the equivalent number of medium-sized potatoes. A medium potato is one about the size of a balled-up fist. Two medium sized potatoes generally weigh around 1 pound.
Roasted Potatoes
Roasted potatoes are simple to make. A pound of roasted potatoes should be enough to feed two people. That’s 2 medium potatoes. You can adjust the number needed depending on how many guests you have in total. For 4 guests, you will need two pounds or 4 medium potatoes. If your potatoes are less than medium sized, round up.
Mashed Potatoes
Similar to roasted potatoes, plan to serve at least half a pound of mashed potatoes per person. That’s one medium potato per person. For two people you need one pound of potatoes, or 2 medium potatoes. If you have four guests, I tend to round up and go with 5 medium potatoes or 2.5 pounds.
Baked Potatoes
When it comes to serving baked potatoes, the math is much easier. You should serve one medium-sized baked potato per person. This means that if you’re hosting a dinner party for 10 people, you’ll need to bake at least 10 potatoes.
However, it’s important to keep in mind that some guests may have bigger appetites than others. If you’re serving a particularly hungry crowd, you may want to consider baking a few extra potatoes just to be safe.
Potato Salad
You’ll find potato salads being served typically as part of a larger meal, so it can be a bit trickier to decide on portion sizes. There are usually a variety of other side dish options.
A general rule of thumb is to allot about 1/2 pound to 3/4 pound of potatoes per person if it’s part of a larger meal with multiple sides. Using this number of potatoes, mixed with the other ingredients, you’ll be able to serve between 1/2 cup and 3/4 cup of potato salad per guest.
It’s always better to have a little extra, especially since potato salad generally keeps well in the fridge for a few days. So, whether you’re firing up the grill or setting up a picnic, keep these quantities in mind to make sure everyone gets their fill.
Scalloped Potatoes
Scalloped potatoes are a delicious and comforting side dish that are perfect for family dinners, holiday gatherings, and special occasions. As a general rule of thumb, it’s recommended to serve about 1/2 cup of scalloped potatoes per person. This is roughly equivalent to 1/2 a pound of raw potatoes per person, or one medium potato.
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Laura is a home cook, with 25 years experience behind the stove, who spends an extraordinary amount of time in the kitchen cooking. She loves making new recipes and finding wonderful new things to eat, both at home or abroad. She spends a lot of time researching, crafting, and perfecting her recipes.