Learn how to calculate the amount of meat you need so you do not run short or waste food
Organising a meal for family or friends always raises the same question: how much meat should I buy per person?Preparing a few steaks for a weekday dinner is not the same as organising a barbecue, cooking a stew for the whole family or planning a meal where meat is the main course. You also need to consider whether there will be plenty of side dishes, whether children are eating and whether the meat contains bone.
Calculating the right quantities will help you make a more accurate purchase, avoid food waste and make sure everyone can enjoy a good meal.
At Ramaders Agrupats, we want to make things easier for you. That is why we have prepared this practical guide to help you work out how much meat to buy per person depending on the type of meal you are planning.
How much meat per person?
As a general rule, when meat is the main course, you can calculate between 150 and 250 grams of meat per adult. However, this amount can vary depending on the type of meat, the cut and the way it is cooked.
For boneless meat
Steaks, ribeye, stewing meat and minced meat do not contain bone, so almost all the weight you buy can be eaten.
As a general guide, you can calculate:
- 150-200 grams per person for a regular meal.
- 200-250 grams per person when meat is the main course.
- 100-150 grams per person when the meal includes several starters and side dishes.
For meat with bone
When buying chops, ribs or other bone-in cuts, you need to remember that part of the weight is not edible. In these cases, it is advisable to increase the quantity.
As a general reference:
- 250-350 grams per person when it is the main course.
The exact amount will depend on the type of cut and the proportion of bone. For example, ribs may require a larger quantity than a chop with very little bone.
How much meat should you buy for children?
Children usually need smaller portions, although this will always depend on their age and appetite.
As a general guide, you can calculate:
- 50-100 grams for young children.
- 100-150 grams for older children.
The key to planning a balanced meal is to think about the whole menu, not just the amount of meat.
These quantities are only a guide and may vary depending on the type of meal, the side dishes and your guests’ appetites.
Tips for calculating the right amount of Meat
Before placing your order, we recommend keeping the following points in mind:
1. Think about the whole menu
Serving meat with a simple salad is not the same as preparing a meal with several starters, appetisers and side dishes. The more food there is on the table, the less meat you will usually need per person.
2. Consider whether the meat has bone
With chops, ribs and other cuts, part of the weight comes from the bone. For this reason, you will need to buy a larger quantity than with boneless cuts.
3. Adapt the quantities to your guests
If there are children, light eaters or guests with a big appetite, adjust your shopping accordingly. Knowing who will be eating will also help you calculate the right amount.
4. Planning is better than improvising
Knowing how many people will be eating and what you are going to prepare will make your shopping much easier and help you avoid buying more than you need.
5. Make the most of leftovers
If you end up buying more than you need, you can store any unused meat correctly or use the leftovers from one meal to create new recipes.
At Ramaders Agrupats, you will find a wide variety of meats and products for every occasion: steaks, minced meat, burgers, sausages, chops and other prepared products to help you organise your meals without any hassle. If you are unsure about how much meat to buy or which product to choose, ask us in our shops. We will be happy to help you find the option that best suits your meal.
