How much meat per person for a party?

For a party with multiple dishes and sides, plan ⅓ to ½ pound of raw meat per person. If meat is the main attraction (like a BBQ), increase to ⅔ to ¾ pound per person. Always round up — leftovers are better than running short.

How much deli meat per person for sandwiches?

Plan about ⅓ pound (5-6 oz) of deli meat per person for sandwiches, assuming 2 sandwiches each. For a sandwich platter where people make their own, ¼ pound per person is usually enough since there are typically other options available.

Does the amount change for bone-in vs boneless meat?

Yes — bone-in cuts need about 40% more raw weight per person since the bone itself adds weight you can't eat. A boneless roast at ½ lb per person becomes roughly ¾ lb per person for bone-in.

How much does meat shrink when cooked?

Most meat loses 25-30% of its raw weight during cooking from moisture and fat loss. Ground beef and chicken shrink about 25%, while roasts can lose up to 30%. This is why raw weight and cooked weight are different — always buy based on raw weight.

How much meat per person in kg?

The standard is roughly 150-350 grams (0.15-0.35 kg) of raw meat per person, depending on the cut. For boneless main course servings, 200-250g is typical. For bone-in, increase to 300-350g.

How Much Meat Per Person

Calculate exactly how much raw meat to buy for any group size, cut, and cooking method.

Whiskers says

Plan for ⅓ to ¾ pound of raw meat per person, depending on the cut and cooking method. Bone-in cuts need about 40% more. Use the calculator below for exact amounts!

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🧮 Meat Per Person Calculator

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