How Much Meat Per Person When Catering: Portion Perfection for Your Next Event (2024)

by Sherry Warth

How Much Meat Per Person When Catering: Portion Perfection for Your Next Event (1)

How much meat per person when catering is a crucial question you have to ask when planning your next event to ensure everyone leaves satisfied!

At Smokey D's, we understand the importance of getting the portion sizes just right to ensure that every guest leaves satisfied.

Here's a comprehensive guide to help you estimate the right amount of meat for your next event, along with five handy tips and tricks to make placing your BBQ or meat catering order a breeze.

When estimating how much meat to order per person for your catered event, it's essential to consider several factors, including the type of event, the duration, and the accompanying sides.

As a general rule of thumb, plan for the following portion sizes:

  • For buffet-style events: Estimate about 1/2 to 3/4 pound of meat per person.
  • For plated dinners: Plan for approximately 6 to 8 ounces of meat per person.
  • Consider offering a variety of meats to cater to different preferences and dietary restrictions.

Tips and Tricks for Placing BBQ or Meat Catering Orders

  1. Know Your Guest Count: Start by determining the number of guests attending your event. Having an accurate headcount will help you order the right amount of meat without over- or underestimating.

  2. Consider the Type of Event: The type of event you're hosting will influence the amount and type of meat you'll need. For casual gatherings like office parties or backyard BBQs, you may opt for a variety of meats and sides to accommodate different tastes. For more formal occasions like weddings or corporate events, a plated dinner with a single protein option may be more appropriate.

  3. Factor in Appetites and Preferences: Take into account the appetites and preferences of your guests when planning your catering order. If you know you have a crowd of hearty eaters or BBQ enthusiasts, consider ordering slightly more meat to ensure everyone leaves satisfied.

  4. Consult with the Experts: Don't hesitate to reach out to the catering team at Smokey D's for personalized guidance and recommendations. Our experienced staff can help you navigate portion sizes, menu options, and any special requests to ensure that your event is a success.

With these tips and tricks in mind, you can confidently place your BBQ or meat catering order with Smokey D's, knowing that every guest will leave satisfied and craving more of our delicious BBQ fare.

And as the seasons change, so do the opportunities for hosting memorable gatherings!

With spring arriving, now is the perfect time to start planning your upcoming seasonal occasions. Whether you're celebrating Easter, Mother's Day, or simply enjoying the warmer weather with a backyard BBQ, Smokey D's has you covered.

Our catering services are designed to make your spring events stress-free and delicious, allowing you to focus on making memories with your loved ones.

For Easter celebrations, why not treat your guests to a mouthwatering spread of smoked ham, tender brisket, and all the fixings? Our catering team can create a custom menu tailored to your preferences, ensuring that your Easter feast is both delicious and memorable.

And for Mother's Day, show Mom how much you appreciate her with a special BBQ brunch or luncheon featuring her favoriteBBQ dishesand homemade sides. With Smokey D's catering, you can make every spring occasion one to remember.

From graduation parties to Memorial Day barbecues, spring offers plenty of opportunities to gather with friends and family and enjoy delicious food. Whether you're hosting an intimate backyard gathering or a large-scale event, Smokey D's catering services can accommodate gatherings of all sizes.

Let us take care of the cooking so you can focus on creating lasting memories with your loved ones.

About The Author

Hey there, I'm Darren, the pitmaster behind Smokey D's BBQ. With five World Championships under my belt and a passion for bringing the best BBQ to your table, I've dedicated my life to perfecting the art of smoked meats.

Whether you're dining in our restaurant, ordering bulk meat, or enjoying the convenience of our catering services, I guarantee that every bite will be infused with the love and dedication that started this journey over two decades ago. Thank you for making Smokey D's a part of your BBQ story!

How Much Meat Per Person When Catering: Portion Perfection for Your Next Event (2024)

FAQs

How Much Meat Per Person When Catering: Portion Perfection for Your Next Event? ›

As a general rule of thumb, plan for the following portion sizes: For buffet-style events: Estimate about 1/2 to 3/4 pound of meat per person. For plated dinners: Plan for approximately 6 to 8 ounces of meat per person. Consider offering a variety of meats to cater to different preferences and dietary restrictions.

How do you calculate food portions for catering? ›

The amount of food needed for a catering event will depend on the number of guests, the duration of the event, and the type of food being served. A good rule of thumb is to order 1.5 servings per guest for appetizers, 1 serving per guest for side dishes, and 6-8 ounces of protein per guest for the main course.

How much meat do you need per person for an event? ›

You can expect most adult guests to eat ¼ to ⅓ pounds of meat each during your event. Adults will likely be drinking, grazing on snacks, and filling up on sides, too. That means you can cut down your pound-per-person total a bit or plan for leftovers. Remember, we're talking about ¼ to ⅓ pounds total—not of each meat.

How much meat should I order per person? ›

A question we often get is “How much meat do I need?” The starting rule of thumb is: Boneless Meat: 1/2 lb. per person for adults and 1/4 lb. per person for children.

How much meat do you need to feed 25 people? ›

How Much Food to Serve at a Party
FOODSERVE 25SERVE 100
Meats
Chicken or turkey breast8–9 pounds32–36 pounds
Fish (fillets or steaks)7-1/2 pounds30 pounds
Hamburgers6-1/2–9-1/2 pounds26–30 pounds
35 more rows
Jul 2, 2024

When catering for a party, how much food? ›

Aim to provide around 6-8 courses of small bite size food per person. Each course should have enough for 1-1.5 pieces of food per person. When choosing recipes, consider whether you could eat it with one hand in one or two bites. Check your guests' dietary requirements.

How do I calculate my portions? ›

Fist = 1 cup

You can use this tool when measuring the intake of rice, cereals, salads, fruits, or popcorn. 1 hand cupped is equivalent to a 1/2 cup serving. You can use this tool for measuring food items such as pastas, potatoes, nuts, and even ice cream. A Cupped Hand = 1/2 cup The Palm = 3 oz.

How do you calculate meat portions per person? ›

As a general rule of thumb, plan for the following portion sizes: For buffet-style events: Estimate about 1/2 to 3/4 pound of meat per person. For plated dinners: Plan for approximately 6 to 8 ounces of meat per person.

How many lbs of meat for 20 people? ›

What weight of meat per person to order?
Boneless MeatNumber of PeopleBone in meat
9lb / 4.08kg18 – 1914lb / 6.35kg
10lb / 4.54kg20 – 2116lb / 7.25kg
11lb / 4.98kg22 – 2318lb / 8.16kg
12lb / 5.44kg24 +20lb / 9.07kg
8 more rows

What is the ideal meat portion size? ›

Three ounces of cooked lean meat or poultry is about the size of a deck of cards or the palm of your hand. A teaspoon of soft margarine is about the size of a postage stamp. One serving of fat-free or low-fat cheese is about the size of a pair of dice.

How much meat required for 30 people? ›

When cooking something like steak, turkey or pork, where meat is the main dish of the meal and paired with a few side dishes, we recommend about 1/2 pound (eight ounces) per person, or up to 3/4 (12 ounces) pound for bigger appetites and those who love leftovers.

How to estimate how much food for a party? ›

Rules to Plan By

Each adult will consume 1 pound of food total; children, about 1/2 pound. The more options you have, the less you need of each; decrease the main course portion sizes by 1 to 2 ounces if served on a buffet. Guests will always eat — and drink — more at night than during the day.

How much hamburger meat per person for hamburgers? ›

Burgers. Our Test Kitchen uses a range of 1 to 1½ pounds of ground beef to make 4 burgers, which is 4 to 6 ounces of ground beef per burger.

How do you calculate how much food to order for a party? ›

Each adult will consume 1 pound of food total; children, about 1/2 pound. The more options you have, the less you need of each; decrease the main course portion sizes by 1 to 2 ounces if served on a buffet. Guests will always eat — and drink — more at night than during the day.

What is the formula for portion size? ›

As an example here, let's say the total weight is 500 grams and you want to make it into 2 servings: 500g / 2 Servings = 250g Per Serving.

What is the formula to calculate the food cost per portion? ›

Cost per portion: the cost of each serving. it is the total recipe cost divided by the number of portions. Selling price: based on the food cost percentage allowed by the budget. it is the cost per portion divided by the food cost percentage (in decimal form).

How do you determine the portion or serving cost? ›

Calculating Price Per Serving

The cost of a standard serving (portion) is determined by dividing the recipe cost by the number of servings (yield).

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