Whether you are planning a family barbecue, hosting a dinner party, or simply cooking for yourself, it’s important to know how many pounds of meat to serve per person to ensure that everyone is well-fed and satisfied.
A general rule of thumb is to serve 1/2 pound of meat per person, but that can vary depending on a few factors that you’ll want to consider before making an estimate.
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Average Portion Sizes by Meat Type
It’s not possible to firmly nail down the exact right amount for every situation. It’s important to consider your guests’ appetites and dietary preferences when planning how much beef to serve. If you’re unsure, it’s always better to err on the side of caution and have a little extra on hand, rather than risk leaving your guests hungry.
Pork
- For pork chops or pork tenderloin: Plan for about 6-8 ounces (170-227 grams) of pork per person.
- For pulled pork: Estimate approximately 1/3 to 1/2 pound (5-8 ounces or 150-227 grams) of pulled pork per person.
- For pork ribs: Calculate about 1/2 to 1 pound (8-16 ounces or 227-454 grams) of pork ribs per person, depending on the size and meatiness of the ribs.
- For hotdogs: Serve 1.5 hot dogs per person, so if you have 10 guests, you would serve 15 hot dogs. Most guests will only eat 1, but some will want 2, so you’ll be covered.
Beef
- For steak: Plan for about 8-12 ounces (227-340 grams) of steak per person, depending on the cut and thickness.
- For burgers: Estimate approximately 8-9 ounces (227-255 grams) of cooked ground beef per person. For burgers, I always make 1.5 burgers per person, so if there are 10 people, I will make 15 burger patties, each made with about 6 ounces of ground beef. In total, that’s about 9 ounces per person.
- For meatballs: I use 2 ounces of ground beef to make a standard-sized meatball. Using 8 ounces per person, that allots four 1.5-inch meatballs per person.
- For prime rib or roast beef: Calculate about 10-12 ounces (283-340 grams) of prime rib or roast beef per person for a generous serving.
- For brisket: Estimate about ½ pound (8 ounces or 227 grams) of brisket per person. This allows for a generous serving and accounts for any shrinkage during the cooking process.
Chicken
- For chicken breast: Plan for about 6-8 ounces (170-227 grams) of chicken breast per person.
- For chicken thighs or drumsticks: Estimate approximately 8-10 ounces (227-283 grams) of chicken thighs or drumsticks per person.
- For a whole chicken: Calculate about 1 pound (16 ounces or 454 grams) of whole chicken per person.
- For chicken wings: Estimate approximately 6-8 wings per person, depending on the size of the wings and whether they are being served as an appetizer or a main course.
Seafood
- For fillets of fish (e.g., salmon, cod, tilapia): Plan for about 6-8 ounces (170-227 grams) of fish per person.
- For whole fish: Estimate approximately 3/4 to 1 pound (12-16 ounces or 340-454 grams) of whole fish per person, depending on the size and type of fish.
- For fish tacos: Estimate using about 4-6 ounces (113-170 grams) of fish per person. This quantity allows for a generous serving of fish in each taco, especially when combined with other taco fillings and toppings.
- For shrimp, you can estimate approximately 4-6 ounces (113-170 grams) per person, depending on whether it is being served as an appetizer or a main course.
- For lobster, a common estimate is to plan for about 1 1/2 pounds (24 ounces or 680 grams) of lobster per person for a generous serving.
Portion Sizes Based on the Dish and Guests
A good rule of thumb for most meat types is to keep it at around 1/2 pound per person if the meat is the dish’s main component. For people with increased appetites, 3/4 pound is also a good portion estimate.
If meat isn’t the central part of the meal you want to prepare, you can serve a smaller portion size. Usually, 1/4 to 1/2 pound is a reasonable approximation.
Before You Go
If you’re interested in learning more about how much food to serve your guests, we have a few other resources available:
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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.