How Many People Does 500 Grams of Meat Feed?

October 24, 2025 •

3 min read

According to dietary guidelines, a standard serving of cooked lean red meat is around 65 grams. This number helps illustrate the variability in portion sizes, which is why a single pack of 500 grams of meat can feed anywhere from 2 to 6 people. The exact number depends heavily on factors like the type of meal, the meat's cut, and the appetites of your guests.

Quick Summary

The number of people 500g of meat can feed is not a fixed number and varies based on the type of meat, whether it's boneless or bone-in, and the specific recipe. Understanding how different cooking methods and meal compositions affect serving size is key to accurately planning meals and reducing waste.

Key Points

Serving size varies: 500g of meat can feed 2 to 6 people depending on the recipe and type of cut.
Consider the cut: Boneless meat yields more edible food per gram than bone-in cuts.
Account for shrinkage: Meat typically shrinks by 15-30% during cooking due to moisture and fat loss.
Recipe matters: Use less meat per person for ingredient-heavy dishes like stir-fries or bolognese than for standalone main courses like steaks.
Guest appetite is key: Bigger appetites and certain occasions like barbecues require larger portions per person.
Stretch with other ingredients: Pairing meat with plenty of vegetables, pasta, or rice can make 500g go further.

Understanding Portion Sizes: A Multifaceted Calculation

Determining how many people does 500 grams of meat feed is not a simple calculation. Several variables influence the final number of servings you can get from half a kilogram of meat. These include the cut of meat, the type of meal being prepared, and the appetites of those being served. For instance, 500g of boneless, diced chicken for a stir-fry will go much further than 500g of bone-in ribs for a barbecue.

The Impact of Meat Type and Cut

Different types of meat have different ideal portion sizes. For example, minced meat for a bolognese can be stretched further with vegetables and sauce than a thick-cut steak. Similarly, bone-in cuts have a higher raw weight but yield less edible meat. On average, meat can lose anywhere from 15-30% of its weight during cooking, primarily due to moisture and fat loss. Accounting for this shrinkage is crucial for accurate meal planning. For example, 500g of raw, boneless chicken breast, which shrinks by about 15-20%, will yield roughly 400-425g of cooked meat. In contrast, 500g of 70/30 ground beef could lose up to 30% of its weight, leaving you with 350g of cooked meat.

How the Meal Affects Servings

How meat is incorporated into a meal significantly changes the number of portions. If the meat is the central component, such as a steak, you'll need a larger portion per person. However, if it's an ingredient within a larger dish, like a curry or a taco filling, the portion of meat per person is smaller, meaning the 500g can serve more people. A frugal cook might even stretch 500g of minced beef to create four portions of bolognese, while a single large T-bone steak could weigh 500g and only serve one or two people.

A Comparison of Meat Yields (500g Raw Weight)


Meal Type	Raw Weight (500g)	Cooked Weight Estimate	Estimated Servings	Notes
Boneless Minced Beef	500g	~350g	3-4 people	Stretched with sauce and vegetables in dishes like bolognese or chili.
Boneless Chicken Breast	500g	~400-425g	2-3 people	Best for stir-fries, curries, or diced chicken meals where portions are smaller.
Lean Beef Steaks	500g	~400g	2 people	A heartier meal where the steak is the main feature. Allows for roughly 200g per person.
Bone-In Lamb Chops	500g	~350-400g (edible)	1-2 people	Accounts for bone weight and typically larger appetites.
Roast Dinner (boneless)	500g	~400g	2 people	Served with plenty of sides like potatoes and vegetables.

Catering to Different Appetites and Occasions

For events or larger gatherings, the type of meal and guest list can provide more clues. A buffet with multiple protein options requires less of each type of meat per person than a plated meal with a single main course. For example, at a barbecue, people tend to eat more, and portion sizes might be closer to 250-300g per person. However, in a potluck-style event where the meat is just one of many options, 500g could easily serve four or more people. It is always wise to know your audience; catering for ravenous teenagers is different from cooking for a group of people with moderate appetites.

Conclusion

While a single answer for how many people does 500 grams of meat feed is not possible, a few key considerations make it easy to estimate for your next meal. For a meaty, main-course-focused meal, 500g is typically sufficient for two to three people. When combined with other ingredients in a dish like a stew, stir-fry, or pasta sauce, it can be stretched to feed four or even five people. By considering the type of cut, whether it's boneless or bone-in, and the context of the meal, you can accurately plan your food quantities and reduce waste. For further information on recommended serving sizes, consult sources like the NHS guidelines on healthy meat consumption.

The Final Breakdown

As a general rule, here is a quick summary:

For main-course-focused meals (e.g., steaks, chops): Plan for 2 people.
For recipes with a moderate meat content (e.g., curries, stir-fries): Plan for 3-4 people.
For dishes where meat is an ingredient rather than the star (e.g., pasta sauce, bulked-out chili): Plan for 4-5 people.

Keep these guidelines in mind, and you will become a more efficient and confident cook, regardless of the meal or number of diners.

Frequently Asked Questions

For dishes like bolognese or chili, 500g of raw boneless minced meat can feed 3 to 4 adults when combined with other ingredients. A smaller, more meat-focused meal might serve 2 hearty appetites.

Yes. When purchasing bone-in meat, you must account for the weight of the bone, which is inedible. A 500g portion of bone-in meat will yield less edible meat and therefore feed fewer people compared to a 500g portion of boneless meat.

Meat typically shrinks by 15-30% during the cooking process. The exact amount depends on the fat and water content. Leaner cuts shrink less, while fattier cuts like some minced meats shrink more.

Yes, 500g of meat can feed a family of four, especially if it's used in a dish like a stew, curry, or pasta sauce where it's stretched with plenty of other ingredients. Portion sizes would be moderate, and it works best if there are children in the group.

For a plated dinner where meat is the main course, a serving of 150-200g of raw boneless meat per person is standard. This means 500g would serve 2-3 adults.

To make your meat go further, focus on dishes where the meat is an ingredient rather than the main feature. Add plenty of vegetables, beans, grains, and sauce to bulk up the meal. Using minced meat or diced cuts is also more efficient.

Yes, 500g of steak is typically enough for two people. This provides a generous serving of 250g per person, which is considered a large portion.