Barbecuing meat for a crowd can be challenging. It’s difficult to know exactly how much meat to buy and cook so there are no leftovers or shortages. The amount of meat needed per person depends on the type of meat, how it’s prepared, who’s attending, and what else is being served. With some planning and preparation, you can determine the right quantities to purchase and prepare for a great barbecue.
Key Factors In Determining Meat Quantities
Several key factors should be considered when deciding how much meat per person for bbq:
Type of Meat
- Beef generally requires around 1/3 to 1/2 pound uncooked weight per person. Steaks, roasts, and burgers are some popular beef options.
- For pork, estimate 1/4 to 1/3 pound uncooked weight per person. Ribs, chops, loin roasts, and pulled pork are common.
- With chicken, plan on 1/4 to 1/2 pound uncooked weight per person. Chicken can be prepared whole, as pieces, kabobs, etc.
- For sausages, allow 2-3 sausages per person. Pick standard size versus jumbo.
- With seafood, estimate 1/4 pound uncooked shrimp per person, 1 (4-6 oz) fish fillet per person, and 2-3 oysters or clams per person.
- For vegetarian/vegan guests, provide at least 1/4 pound of meat substitute per person.
Preparation Method
The way the meat is cooked and served affects quantities.
- Meat that is cooked with bones, such as ribs or chicken, will provide less edible meat per pound.
- Slow, moist cooking methods like smoking and barbecuing result in meats losing moisture and fat, so you may need more.
- Foods cooked on a skewer or kabob require individual portions.
- Serving meat sliced (like brisket) provides more portions than serving it whole.
- Having meat as an ingredient (in chili or tacos) allows you to stretch quantities further.
Guests Attending
Consider who is coming and their typical appetites when deciding portions.
- Adult men often consume more than women and children.
- Teenage boys tend to eat more than younger kids.
- Seniors may eat smaller portions.
- Athletes and big eaters require larger serving sizes.
- Vegetarians and those with dietary restrictions need adequate non-meat options.
- If guests can take home leftovers, you can overestimate slightly.
Side Dishes Being Served
The other items on your barbecue menu affect how much meat is needed.
- Serving filling sides like baked beans, coleslaw, pasta salads, etc., reduces how much meat people will eat.
- Likewise, lots of appetizers and snacks decrease the meat portions needed.
- Having just meat and a few lighter sides and salads means you’ll need more meat.
- Provide plenty of buns if serving burgers and sandwiches.
Average Quantities for Common Barbecue Meats
As a general guideline, the average amount of raw meat per person for a standard barbecue meal is:
- Hamburgers – 1/3 to 1/2 pound
- Hot dogs – 2-3 standard dogs
- Chicken pieces – 1/4 to 1/2 pound
- Ribs – 1/2 to 1 pound
- Steaks – 3/4 to 1 pound
- Kabobs – 1-2 skewers
- Pork chops – 1-2 average sized chops
- Sausages – 2-3 links
- Fish fillets – 1 (4-6 oz) fillet
- Shrimp – 1/4 pound
For combination grill-outs with 2-3 meat choices, plan for approximately 1/2 to 3/4 pound total meat per person. Reduce amounts for sides and appetizers.
Handy Charts for Quantities
These charts can help estimate how much meat to buy and prepare for barbecues:
Hamburgers
| Number of People | 8 Quarter Pound Burgers | 10 Third Pound Burgers |
|---|---|---|
| 5 | 2 pounds | 1 2/3 pounds |
| 10 | 4 pounds | 3 1/3 pounds |
| 15 | 6 pounds | 5 pounds |
| 20 | 8 pounds | 6 2/3 pounds |
| 25 | 10 pounds | 8 1/3 pounds |
Hot Dogs
| Number of People | 2 Hot Dogs Each | 3 Hot Dogs Each |
|---|---|---|
| 5 | 10 hot dogs | 15 hot dogs |
| 10 | 20 hot dogs | 30 hot dogs |
| 15 | 30 hot dogs | 45 hot dogs |
| 20 | 40 hot dogs | 60 hot dogs |
| 30 | 60 hot dogs | 90 hot dogs |
Chicken Pieces
| Number of People | 1/4 Pound Each | 1/3 Pound Each | 1/2 Pound Each |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | 1 1/4 pounds | 1 2/3 pounds | 2 1/2 pounds |
| 10 | 2 1/2 pounds | 3 1/3 pounds | 5 pounds |
| 15 | 3 3/4 pounds | 5 pounds | 7 1/2 pounds |
| 20 | 5 pounds | 6 2/3 pounds | 10 pounds |
| 30 | 7 1/2 pounds | 10 pounds | 15 pounds |
Steaks
| Number of People | 8 oz Steak Each | 10 oz Steak Each | 12 oz Steak Each |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | 2 1/2 pounds | 3 1/4 pounds | 4 pounds |
| 10 | 5 pounds | 6 1/4 pounds | 7 1/2 pounds |
| 15 | 7 1/2 pounds | 9 3/8 pounds | 11 1/4 pounds |
| 20 | 10 pounds | 12 1/2 pounds | 15 pounds |
| 30 | 15 pounds | 18 3/4 pounds | 22 1/2 pounds |
Tips for Getting Quantities Right
Use these tips to determine and prepare the right amount of meat for your barbecue:
- When in doubt, it’s better to have leftovers than not enough. Extra meat keeps well.
- Provide a vegetarian/vegan main dish to reduce the amount of meat required.
- Buy 10-20% extra meat to allow for imperfections, cooking loss, or extra hungry guests.
- Prepare and cook a little extra meat to use for leftovers or sandwiches.
- Portion meat into individual servings before cooking for easier serving.
- Cook meats like brisket slow and low. Slicing after makes servings easy.
- Have a few hot dogs and hamburgers ready in case more is needed.
- Let guests know up front if they should expect limited portions so they aren’t disappointed.
- Ask guests to RSVP with meal preferences so you know how much meat to buy.
- For large groups, choose meat that gives you the best value per pound.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much barbecue meat should I have if sides and appetizers are also being served?
Plan on approximately 1/3 pound of meat per person if plenty of sides and appetizers will be served.
How do I estimate for a crowd with mixed meat preferences?
Get a rough headcount for who will eat which meat and calculate quantities based on that breakdown.
What if I don’t know exactly how many people are coming?
Buy at least 10-20% extra meat to account for unexpected guests or heavy appetites.
What meats can I prepare ahead of time for a barbecue?
Hamburgers, kabobs, ribs, and chicken can be prepped or partially cooked ahead of time.
How can I avoid having lots of leftovers?
Cook 10-20% less meat than your estimates, and offer smaller portion sizes. Let guests take home extras.
Key Takeaways
- Allow 1/3 – 1/2 pound of meat per person for burgers, chicken, and ribs. Steaks may need 3/4 pound each.
- Factor in meat type, cooking method, menu, and who’s coming when calculating quantities.
- Charts make it easy to estimate quantities for burgers, hot dogs, chicken, and steaks.
- Buy extra meat, cook a little extra, and offer leftovers to be safe.
- Knowing the crowd size, diet preferences, and menu is crucial for getting barbecue meat quantities right without waste.
Careful planning using these guidelines will ensure you purchase, prepare, and cook the right amount of delicious barbecue meats for your next party!
Conclusion
Determining how much meat to buy and cook for a barbecue takes some thought, but following the recommendations in this article will help you estimate quantities accurately. The key factors to consider are the type of meat, preparation method, number and types of guests, and other menu items. Adhering to the approximate amounts per person and using the helpful quantity charts provides a good starting point. With some extra preparation, planning, and purposefully cooking a bit extra, you can ensure everyone enjoys the barbecue without being left hungry or having too many leftovers. Your guests will be delighted when you serve up the perfect quantities of delicious grilled meats at your next party.