Salad for a crowd: what holds up on a buffet, with tray prices and quantities
Salad for a crowd works by the tray: Tossed Mixed Greens $49, Creamy Cole Slaw $55, Macaroni Pasta Salad $59. Each tray serves 20. Here is what holds up.
By the Upper Crust Catering kitchen
For a salad for a crowd, order by the tray: each of our salad trays serves 20, and prices run from $49 for Tossed Mixed Greens to $89 for the 7 Layer Salad. Count one tray per 20 guests, and for a buffet mix a leafy salad with a sturdier one that holds on the table, such as cole slaw or a pasta salad.
Our salad trays
- Tossed Mixed Greens, $49
- Fresh Baby Spinach Salad, $49
- Classic Caesar Salad, $49
- Tropical Bowtie Caesar, $59
- Macaroni Pasta Salad, $59
- Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad, $59
- Potato Salad, $49
- Creamy Cole Slaw, $55
- 7 Layer Salad, $89
Tossed Mixed Greens and the spinach salad are vegetarian. Each tray serves 20.
What holds up on a buffet
Salads fall into two groups, and a good buffet uses one from each.
Sturdy salads keep their texture for an hour or two on a table: potato salad, cole slaw, macaroni pasta salad, bacon ranch pasta salad. They suit outdoor parties, picnics and long serving windows. They do need a cooler or shade in warm weather, since they are cold dishes.
Leafy salads are fresh and light but do not wait well once they are dressed. Tossed Mixed Greens, Baby Spinach and the Caesars belong at a dinner that serves in one rush, not a three-hour open house. Ask us how the dressing travels when you order, and plan to dress the greens close to serving time.
The 7 Layer Salad is the priciest tray at $89. Ask us how it travels and holds before you plan it for a long event.
How many trays to order
Plan one tray per 20 guests for each salad you serve, then adjust. If you offer three different salads to 60 guests, most people take a spoonful of each, so you do not need three trays of every one. As a planning guide, take your guest count, divide by 20, and split that many trays among your salads. These are examples:
- 40 guests: 2 trays. Tossed Mixed Greens ($49) and Macaroni Pasta Salad ($59) = $108.
- 60 guests: 3 trays. Tossed Mixed Greens ($49), Creamy Cole Slaw ($55) and Potato Salad ($49) = $153.
- 100 guests: 5 trays. Two Tossed Mixed Greens ($98), one Tropical Bowtie Caesar ($59), one Potato Salad ($49) and one Creamy Cole Slaw ($55) = $261.
These are food prices before 9.25% sales tax. If salad is the main dish for lunch, order more. Executive Chef's Chopped Salad is $17.50 a box and is gluten-free.
Serving salad at a party
- Cold dishes should stay cold. Keep the trays in a fridge or cooler until serving.
- Bring serving tongs and spoons if you do not have enough; they are $1 each from us.
- Put the dressing on the side if guests may have dietary needs.
- Set salads at the start of the line so the hot food has room.
For a full spread, see our buffet menus. Buffet Menu 1 is $18.99 a person for two entrées, three sides and bread, with salads among the side choices. Pair salads with pasta from our pasta catering guide, or check the whole sides and salads tray list.
Ordering
Trays have no minimum and we need three days' notice. Pick up at the kitchen in Yorkville, or ask for quoted delivery. Call (630) 553-9533, or request a price through the quote form.
Questions
How much salad do I need for 50 people?
Three trays. Each tray serves 20, so three covers 60. Mix at least two kinds.
What salads hold up on a buffet table?
Potato salad, cole slaw and pasta salads. Leafy salads do best when served within the hour.
Are your salads vegetarian?
Tossed Mixed Greens and the Baby Spinach Salad are vegetarian. Check the dish page for each of the others.
