How Much Roast Pork Per Person? The Complete Portion Guide

December 30, 2025 •

3 min read

According to cooking experts, meat can shrink by as much as 25-30% during the cooking process due to moisture loss. This crucial fact means that accurately calculating how much roast pork per person is more than just a rough estimate; it's the key to a successful, stress-free meal.

Quick Summary

This guide provides a definitive breakdown of how to determine the right amount of roast pork for your meal, accounting for different cuts, guest appetites, and the impact of cooking shrinkage.

Key Points

Boneless vs. Bone-In: Allocate roughly 225g (8 oz) of raw boneless pork per person, but 400g (14 oz) or more of raw bone-in pork to account for the weight of the bone.
Account for Shrinkage: Expect meat to shrink by 20-30% during cooking. To find the raw weight needed, divide your desired cooked portion by 0.75.
Consider Your Guests: Increase portion sizes for heartier appetites or decrease them if you have a wide array of other dishes and appetizers.
Plan for Leftovers: Buying slightly more than you need ensures you won't run short and provides delicious leftovers for future meals.
Use a Guide or Calculator: Refer to comparison tables or online roast calculators to accurately plan for specific cuts and quantities.
Don't Forget the Sides: If serving substantial side dishes like potatoes or pasta, you can scale back the meat portion slightly, whereas lighter sides may require a more generous serving.

The Golden Rules for Calculating Roast Pork Portions

To ensure every guest is satisfied, it's essential to start with a standard portion size and then adjust based on several key factors. A good starting point for a moderate appetite is to plan for around 225g (8 ounces) of raw, boneless pork per person. For boneless cuts like a pork loin, this provides a generous serving, especially with a few side dishes. However, this is just the beginning, and several variables can significantly impact your final calculation.

Adjusting for Different Cuts and Appetites

Boneless Cuts: For leaner, boneless roasts like a pork loin, an 8-ounce (225g) raw portion is typically sufficient per person. If you have guests with heartier appetites or want leftovers, increase this to 10-12 ounces (285-340g).
Bone-In Cuts: With bone-in roasts such as a pork shoulder or leg, you must factor in the weight of the bone and extra fat. A reliable rule of thumb is to double the boneless recommendation, aiming for at least 1 pound (450g) of raw bone-in pork per person to ensure enough meat is left after trimming and shrinkage.
Type of Meal and Sides: The quantity of roast pork you need also depends on the other dishes you are serving. If the pork is the main event with minimal sides, you'll need more. If it is part of a large buffet with multiple entrées, you can reduce the per-person portion.

The Crucial Shrinkage Factor: Raw vs. Cooked Weight

One of the most overlooked aspects of cooking a roast is the natural shrinkage that occurs. The loss of moisture and rendered fat during roasting can reduce the final cooked weight by 20-30%. Therefore, you must buy more raw meat than the final cooked portion you desire. To calculate the raw weight needed for a specific cooked portion, you can use a simple formula:

Raw Weight Needed = (Desired Cooked Weight) / 0.75

For example, to serve a cooked 6-ounce (170g) portion to each guest, you'd need to start with approximately 8 ounces (225g) of raw meat per person.

Roast Pork Portion Guide: A Comparison Table


Cut of Pork (Raw)	Raw Weight Per Person	Serves (Approx.)	Considerations
Boneless Loin Roast	225g (8 oz)	6-8 people (1.5-2kg)	Leaner cut, ideal for slicing. Needs less per person.
Bone-In Leg Roast	400g (14 oz)	10-12 people (3.5-4kg)	Accounts for bone and potential trimming. More flavorful.
Boneless Shoulder Roast	225-300g (8-10.5 oz)	6-8 people (1.5-2kg)	Fattier cut, great for pulled pork.
Pork Belly	250g (8.8 oz)	4 people (1kg)	Richer, fattier cut. Portion sizes can be smaller.

Practical Tips for Your Pork Roast

Always Buy Extra: When in doubt, buy a little more than you think you need. Leftover roast pork is delicious and can be used in sandwiches, soups, or stews. Leftovers are always better than running out. As one forum user put it, 'Leftovers = good. Running out = bad'.
Use a Catering Calculator: For large parties, consider using a dedicated tool like the BBC roast calculator to get a precise estimate based on the weight of your specific cut.
Consider Leftovers: If you intentionally want leftovers for another meal, plan on the higher end of the portion estimates.
Resting Time: Always allow the roast to rest for 15-30 minutes after cooking. This allows the juices to redistribute, resulting in a more tender, flavorful, and easier-to-carve meat, which also ensures fuller slices.
Factor in Side Dishes: The more substantial your side dishes (e.g., roast potatoes, mashed potatoes, pasta), the smaller the meat portion needs to be. For lighter sides like greens, you may want to increase the meat portion slightly.

Conclusion: Serving Success with Smart Planning

Calculating how much roast pork per person requires more than a simple guess. By taking into account the cut of meat, the presence of bones, guest appetites, and the unavoidable shrinkage during cooking, you can confidently determine the perfect amount to buy. With the right preparation, your roast pork will be a succulent, satisfying centrepiece that leaves everyone full and happy, with or without leftovers. Armed with these tips, you can confidently plan your next dinner party and serve a perfectly portioned meal every time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Plan on buying approximately 225g (8 ounces) of raw, boneless roast pork per person for a standard serving. You may increase this to 300g (10.5 ounces) for guests with larger appetites.

For bone-in cuts like a pork leg or shoulder, a good rule of thumb is to purchase 1 pound (450g) of raw weight per person. This accounts for the bone and the fat that will be trimmed or rendered during cooking.

Because meat shrinks by 20-30% when cooked, you must buy more raw weight to achieve your desired cooked portion. The formula is: Raw Weight Needed = (Desired Cooked Weight) / 0.75.

No, a boneless pork loin requires less raw weight per person than a bone-in pork shoulder. Pork loin is a leaner cut, while a shoulder has more bone and fat to consider.

For children or lighter appetites, you can reduce the standard boneless raw portion of 225g (8 ounces) down to 125-150g (4-5 ounces) per person.

For pulled pork, which often uses fattier cuts like shoulder, a conservative estimate is to prepare 1 pound (450g) of raw pork per person. This accounts for significant shrinkage and provides ample meat for sandwiches.

Yes, if you offer more side dishes, especially starchy ones like potatoes, guests will likely eat less of the meat. This allows you to scale back the per-person pork portion slightly.