How Much Brussel Sprouts Per Person? A Guide to Perfect Portions

November 4, 2025 •

4 min read

With their high content of vitamins K and C, Brussels sprouts are a nutritional powerhouse vegetable. For many home cooks, however, a common challenge is figuring out how much brussel sprouts per person to prepare to avoid waste while ensuring there's enough for everyone.

Quick Summary

This guide simplifies how to portion Brussels sprouts based on raw weight, cooked volume, and number of guests. It provides calculations for both side dishes and larger crowds, ensuring ideal servings every time.

Key Points

Standard Portion: Plan for ½ pound (8 ounces) of raw Brussels sprouts per person for a generous side dish.
Adjust for Crowds: For large holiday gatherings or buffets, scale down to 1/4 to 1/3 pound of raw sprouts per person, as not everyone will eat them.
Measure by Weight and Volume: Be aware that raw sprouts shrink when cooked; 1 cup of cooked sprouts is about 88g, while 80g is a standard vegetable portion.
Side Dish vs. Main: If sprouts are a main ingredient, stick to the higher 1/2 pound per person estimate, but use less if they are a minor side component.
Prepare for Best Results: Trim the stems and halve larger sprouts for even cooking; roasting cut-side down on high heat ensures maximum crispiness.
Utilize Leftovers: Don't waste excess sprouts. Use leftovers in other dishes like salads, frittatas, or pasta, or re-crisp them in the oven.

Standard Serving Sizes: Weight and Volume

Understanding the standard serving size is the first step to getting your portions right. The amount of Brussels sprouts needed per person can vary depending on whether you are measuring raw or cooked, and by weight or volume. A standard dietary recommendation for a serving of vegetables like Brussels sprouts is around 80 grams, or roughly half a cup once cooked. However, the initial raw weight is what you need for shopping.

For a standard side dish, a good rule of thumb is to plan for about ½ pound (8 ounces) of raw Brussels sprouts per person. This may seem like a lot, but sprouts shrink significantly when cooked, especially when roasted, and trimming and cleaning also reduce their weight. If the sprouts are particularly large, you may find that fewer individual sprouts are needed per portion.

Calculating for Different Occasions

Not all meals are created equal, and your calculation should reflect that. A casual family dinner will have different requirements than a large holiday feast. Here's how to adjust your portion estimates:

Side Dish for Family Dinner: For a typical side dish serving, 4 to 5 large sprouts per person, or 8 small-to-average sprouts, works well. This roughly equates to a cooked serving of 2/3 to 3/4 cup. Using the raw weight rule of 1/2 pound per person is safe for a family meal where sprouts might be a highlight.
Holiday Gathering or Buffet: When serving a large crowd, you can often assume that not every guest will eat Brussels sprouts, or they will take smaller portions to sample other dishes. For this scenario, a lower estimate of 1/4 to 1/3 pound of raw sprouts per person is usually sufficient. Consider other side dishes being served and how popular the sprouts are with your guests when making this judgment. You can also make a large batch and keep them warm, as long as you account for textural changes.
Main Course or Salad: If Brussels sprouts are a primary component of the dish, such as in a main course salad or a roasted vegetable platter, increase the serving size. Plan for a full 1/2 pound of raw sprouts per person or more, ensuring the sprouts are the star of the show. Using hearty additions like bacon, nuts, or cheese can also increase their popularity.

Step-by-Step Portioning Guide

Count Your Guests: Tally the number of adults and children who will be eating. If serving a large crowd, estimate the number who will actually eat the sprouts. For example, if 30 guests are invited, assume half will eat sprouts, for a total of 15 servings.
Determine the Meal Type: Decide if the sprouts are a side dish or a more prominent part of the meal. This helps determine if you should use the standard (1/2 lb) or reduced (1/4 lb) portioning guide.
Calculate Total Raw Weight: Multiply your estimated servings by the appropriate raw weight per person. For a side dish for 6 people: 6 x 0.5 lbs = 3 lbs total raw weight.
Consider Add-ins: If adding heavy ingredients like bacon or nuts, you can slightly reduce the sprouts amount. Similarly, if you want extra leftovers, add more raw weight to your total.
Clean and Prep: Clean the sprouts by trimming the ends and removing any wilted outer leaves. Halve or quarter larger sprouts for more even cooking. This is an essential step that reduces the total usable weight, so buying a little extra is wise.

Comparison Table: Portion Size by Meal Type


Serving Scenario	Raw Weight Per Person	Cooked Volume Per Person	Individual Sprouts (approx.)
Side Dish (Small Group)	½ pound (8 oz)	¾-1 cup	8-12 (depending on size)
Holiday/Buffet (Large Crowd)	¼-⅓ pound (4-5 oz)	½-¾ cup	5-8 (depending on size)
Main Course or Hearty Salad	½ pound (8 oz) or more	1+ cups	10+

Maximizing Your Brussel Sprouts and Avoiding Waste

Buy fresh: Choose sprouts that are firm and bright green, avoiding those with bruising. Sprouts on the stalk stay fresher longer.
Consider Cooking Methods: Roasting is a popular method that produces crispy, flavorful sprouts. Sautéing is another quick option, especially for smaller batches. Boiling is less recommended as it can cause nutrient loss.
Get Creative with Leftovers: Don't let extra sprouts go to waste. Leftover roasted sprouts can be chopped and added to salads, pasta, or frittatas. You can also re-crisp them in a hot oven for a few minutes.
Embrace the Crispy Leaves: Don't discard the loose outer leaves! They can be tossed in olive oil with the rest of the sprouts and will become irresistibly crunchy when roasted.

Conclusion

Perfectly portioning Brussels sprouts is a simple matter of knowing your audience and accounting for preparation. Whether you are aiming for a generous side dish or preparing for a large holiday feast, starting with a baseline of 1/2 pound of raw sprouts per person and then adjusting for the context of the meal will lead to delicious results without any guesswork. By considering factors like the meal's importance and your guests' preferences, you can ensure everyone gets a satisfying and tasty serving of this nutritious vegetable. For more specific roasting techniques, check out this excellent guide from The Spruce Eats for perfectly crispy results: Make Perfectly Roasted Brussels Sprouts.

Frequently Asked Questions

For 10 people, you should purchase approximately 5 pounds of raw Brussels sprouts if serving them as a hearty side dish. For a buffet-style meal with many other options, you could likely use 2.5 to 3.5 pounds.

Yes, 8 ounces (1/2 pound) of raw Brussels sprouts per person is a generous portion size that accounts for both trimming and cooking shrinkage, ensuring there is plenty for everyone.

A standard serving of cooked Brussels sprouts is often cited as about 80 grams, which is approximately 8 individual sprouts. In volume, this translates to about 1/2 to 1 cup, depending on the cooking method.

You can generally buy slightly less for a holiday dinner or buffet compared to a regular family meal, as guests will have more choices. Plan on around 1/4 to 1/3 pound per person.

For even cooking, trim the stems and cut larger sprouts in half. Spreading them in a single layer on a baking sheet with space between them is key to roasting rather than steaming.

If you have too many Brussels sprouts, you can easily repurpose them into other dishes. Leftover roasted sprouts are great in salads, grain bowls, frittatas, or chopped and added to pasta.

Yes, different cooking methods can affect the final volume and moisture content. For instance, roasted sprouts lose more moisture and shrink more than steamed ones, so starting with a larger quantity for roasting is a good idea.

Yes, you can use frozen sprouts, but they may have a higher water content and require more time to achieve crispiness, especially when roasting. For accurate portions, follow the package instructions as standard nutritional servings apply.