Prep and make ahead
Most party food can be made a day or two ahead. Foil pans go straight from oven to buffet to fridge. Sheet pans and mini muffin pans turn out appetizers by the tray. Good containers keep leftovers safe for later.
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Foil pans with lids
- Best for casseroles made aheadStock Your Home 9x13 foil pans with lids 25 pack
Half size foil pans that fit standard chafers and fridge shelves.
Check price on Amazon → - Best for heavier dishes like lasagnaNicole Home Collection 9x13 foil pans with lids
Extra heavy duty half size pans with lids.
Check price on Amazon → - Best for deep sides and baked pastaBoxential 9x13 foil pans with lids 25 pack
Deep half size pans in a bulk pack.
Check price on Amazon → - Best for whole roasts and big batchesEHOMEA2Z full size foil pans with lids
Full size 21 by 13 inch pans with lids.
Check price on Amazon → - Best for turkey and hamNicole Home Collection full size deep foil pans
Deep full size roasting pans in a 20 pack.
Check price on Amazon → - Best for brownies and gifts of foodFindful 8x8 foil pans with clear lids 35 pack
Square pans with clear lids that show what is inside.
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Sheet pans
- Best for roasting veggies and baking cookiesUSA Pan nonstick half sheet pan
An aluminized steel half sheet pan with a nonstick coating.
Check price on Amazon → - Best for restaurant style half sheetsWinco 13 by 18 inch aluminum sheet pan
A plain aluminum half size pan from a restaurant supplier.
Check price on Amazon → - Best for two trays in the oven at onceNordic Ware Prism half sheet 2 pack
Two natural aluminum half sheets.
Check price on Amazon → - Best for several sizes in one boxUmite Chef aluminum sheet pan set
Natural aluminum pans in more than one size.
Check price on Amazon → - Best for wings and bacon that need a rackCEKEE stainless half sheet pans with racks
Two stainless pans with two cooling racks.
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Mini muffin pans
- Best for mini quiches and bitesUSA Pan 24 cup mini muffin pan
A nonstick aluminized steel pan with 24 wells.
Check price on Amazon → - Best for big batches in one bakeGoodCook 48 cup mini muffin pan
A large nonstick pan with 48 wells.
Check price on Amazon → - Best for starting from scratchBake Choice mini muffin pan with liners
A nonstick mini pan that comes with 200 paper liners.
Check price on Amazon → - Best for easy releaseFimary silicone mini muffin pan
A 24 cup silicone pan with a metal frame so it stays rigid.
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Food storage containers
- Best for prepping many dishes aheadRubbermaid Brilliance 44 piece containers
Clear airtight containers in many sizes.
Check price on Amazon → - Best for reheating in the oven or microwavePyrex Simply Store 12 piece glass containers
Glass containers with snap on lids.
Check price on Amazon → - Best for everyday leftoversRubbermaid 42 piece food storage set
A large set of plastic containers with lids.
Check price on Amazon → - Best for meal prep in glassVtopmart glass containers 8 pack
Glass containers with locking lids.
Check price on Amazon → - Best for a budget big setRockBerry 56 piece food storage set
28 plastic containers with 28 airtight lids.
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Skewers and cocktail picks
- Best for kebabs on the grillGUSTO 12 inch bamboo skewers 100 count
Long bamboo skewers for meat and vegetables.
Check price on Amazon → - Best for fruit kebabs for a crowdDTmasao 12 inch bamboo skewers 200 count
A bigger pack of long bamboo skewers.
Check price on Amazon → - Best for appetizer bitesTONGYE 6 inch bamboo skewers 200 count
Short skewers for caprese bites and mini kebabs.
Check price on Amazon → - Best for finger food on a platterNuogo bamboo knot cocktail picks 1000 count
Small looped knot picks for olives and cheese cubes.
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Guides that cover this gear
Holiday Party Food Ideas for Large Groups That Hold UpHoliday party food for a big crowd. Dishes that hold well on a buffet plus the 2 hour rule and the 140°F standard that keep everyone safe.
Photo: “Two of Big Cheese and Three of Small Cheese on buffet table” by Peachyeung316, CC BY-SA 4.0
How Many Appetizers Per Person With or Without DinnerPlan 3 to 4 bites per guest before a meal and 10 to 12 or more when appetizers replace dinner. Here are the per hour numbers and how many kinds to make.
Photo: “rustic table setting for The Bachelor viewing party with red roses white candles in gold candlesticks cocktails in glasses bread cracker meat and cheese platter and other appetizers” by ProFlowers.com, CC BY 2.0
How Many Chicken Wings Per Person for a PartyPlan about four wing pieces per guest as a snack and eight to ten as a main. Here is the pound math, a guest table and tips to keep wings hot.
Photo: “chicken wings” by stu_spivack, CC BY-SA 2.0
How Much Pulled Pork Per Person for a PartyPlan a third of a pound of cooked pulled pork per adult. Here's how much raw shoulder to buy for 10 to 100 guests and how to keep it hot.
Photo: “Pulled pork sandwich” by jeffreyw, CC BY 2.0
How Much Turkey Per Person for ThanksgivingHow many pounds of turkey to buy per guest for Thanksgiving. Real figures for whole birds and breasts plus thaw times and leftover rules.
Photo: “2009 Thanksgiving meal at the South of the Alps Dining Facility, Caserma Ederle, Vicenza, Italy - United States Army Africa (SETAF) - 091125” by US Army Africa, CC BY 2.0
How Much Food Per Guest? A Practical Party Planning GuideRule of thumb portions for mains and sides and appetizers and desserts. How much to drink and how much ice. How to adjust for party length and time of day and who is coming.
Photo: Faisal Ahammad, CC0 1.0