How Much Raw Meat Per Person? A Guide to Perfect Portions

October 25, 2025 •

3 min read

The average portion size for boneless raw meat is about half a pound (227g) per adult, though this varies significantly depending on the cut and what else is being served. Knowing how much raw meat per person is essential for accurate meal planning, cost control, and reducing food waste.

Quick Summary

This guide provides practical recommendations for determining raw meat quantities per person based on factors like the cut, meal type, and diner's appetite. It covers standard portion sizes for boneless and bone-in meats to help you shop and cook with confidence.

Key Points

Standard Portion: A general rule for boneless raw meat is about 227g (half a pound) per adult, which can be a starting point for most meals.
Consider the Bones: For bone-in cuts, double the weight to approximately 454g (1 pound) per person to compensate for the bone's weight.
Adjust for the Meal: When meat is a secondary ingredient in a stew or pasta, plan for a smaller portion of 125-175g per person.
Account for Appetite: For events like barbecues or large gatherings, increase your portion size to 250-300g per person, as people tend to eat more.
Factor in Side Dishes: The more filling the side dishes, the less meat your guests will likely consume. Adjust portions downward if serving heavy sides.
Use Weight for Accuracy: When in doubt, a kitchen scale is the most accurate tool for portioning raw meat to ensure consistent serving sizes.

General Rules for Raw Meat Portions

Determining the right amount of raw meat can be tricky, but a few general principles can help. The primary factors include whether the cut is boneless or bone-in, the type of meal, and the diners' appetites. For an average adult, a good starting point is to budget about half a pound (227g) of raw boneless meat. For bone-in cuts, you should double this to approximately 1 pound (454g) per person to account for the weight of the bone. These are baseline figures that can be adjusted based on the specific context of your meal.

Factors Influencing Raw Meat Portion Size

Several variables can affect the optimal amount of raw meat to purchase. Considering these can help you fine-tune your calculations:

Type of meal: Is the meat the main course, or is it a component of a larger dish like a stew or pasta sauce? For dishes where meat is a supporting ingredient, you'll need less per person.
Diners' appetites: Are you serving children, light eaters, or people with larger appetites? Plan accordingly by adjusting the standard portion sizes.
Side dishes: The more substantial your side dishes (e.g., potatoes, pasta, and hearty vegetables), the less meat your guests are likely to consume.
Event type: Guests at a barbecue or party often eat more than they would at a standard dinner. Adjusting your portions upwards for these events is a good idea.
Trim and shrinkage: Raw meat will shrink when cooked. The standard calculation often already accounts for this, but it's something to be aware of. For instance, four ounces of raw ground beef typically becomes three ounces cooked.

Specific Raw Meat Portion Guidelines

Not all meat is created equal, and serving recommendations differ by type. Here are guidelines for popular cuts:

Beef: For steaks (sirloin, rib-eye), a good portion is 200-300g per person. For mince used in dishes like bolognese or tacos, 125-175g per person is sufficient.
Poultry: Boneless cuts like chicken breast or thigh require about 150-200g per person. For bone-in cuts like drumsticks or a whole chicken, a higher weight of 250-350g is recommended.
Pork: Similar to beef, boneless pork cuts such as loin or chops are typically served at 150-200g per person. For bone-in roasts, increase to 250-350g.
Lamb: Boneless lamb, like a leg or shoulder roast, should be around 150-200g per person. For bone-in cuts, plan for 250-350g.

Comparison Table: Raw Meat Serving Sizes


Meat Type	Boneless Portion (g)	Bone-In Portion (g)	Meal Type Consideration
Beef (Steak)	200-300	N/A	Main course, high appetite
Beef (Mince)	125-175	N/A	Component of a larger dish
Poultry (Breast/Thigh)	150-200	N/A	Main course or component
Poultry (Bone-In)	N/A	250-350	Main course, accounting for bone weight
Lamb/Pork Chops	150-200	N/A	Main course
Lamb/Pork Roast	150-200	250-350	Main course, accounting for bone weight

Planning for a Crowd

When entertaining, it's a good practice to err on the side of caution and overestimate slightly. For a large gathering, a 200-250g raw meat average per person for a buffet-style meal is a safe bet, as people will likely be eating multiple small portions. If serving multiple types of meat, you can reduce the amount of each by 25-30% to prevent over-ordering. The key is to think about the entire menu and how meat fits in. For a barbecue, where meat is the star, 250-300g per person is more appropriate. For a buffet with many options, less is needed. The Kitchn offers a useful guide for determining portions when cooking for a crowd.

Conclusion

By considering the type of meat, the presence of bones, and the context of the meal, you can confidently calculate how much raw meat per person is needed. Starting with the general guideline of 227g (8oz) for boneless cuts and adjusting for factors like side dishes and diner's appetite will help you avoid waste and ensure everyone leaves the table satisfied. Whether you're cooking for a small dinner party or a large crowd, mastering meat portioning is a crucial skill for any home chef.

Frequently Asked Questions

For tacos or burgers, a good rule of thumb is to use 125-175g of raw ground beef per person. This amount ensures a hearty portion without being excessive.

For a buffet or party where there are many different dishes, a good average is 200-250g of raw meat per person. If you're serving multiple meats, reduce each type by 25-30%.

For a main course with boneless chicken breast or thighs, plan for 150-200g of raw meat per person. For bone-in cuts, a larger raw weight of 250-350g is recommended.

When preparing a lamb roast, budget for 250-350g of raw weight per person for a bone-in roast. For a boneless cut, 150-200g is generally sufficient.

Yes, raw meat shrinks as it cooks due to moisture and fat loss. A standard rule is that meat shrinks by about 25%, which is why portion sizes are often higher when measured raw versus cooked.

For children, you can generally plan for about half the portion size of an adult. This means 1/4 to 1/3 pound (115-150g) for boneless raw meat.

Yes. When buying fatty cuts, you should consider that more weight will be lost during cooking. Choosing lean cuts and trimming fat helps reduce your saturated fat intake.