When planning a formal sit-down meal or a large cookout or other outdoor gathering, it can be difficult to know how much meat to buy for each guest. Pork, beef, chicken, and fish are typically among the most expensive ingredients in a meal, which is why it’s important to understand how much is needed before making a cooking budget or any purchases. Here are a few tips to help you judge good portion sizes before you place an order with your butcher.

How to Determine Portion Sizes of Meat

1. Consider the Meat’s Role

Begin by planning your menu to determine which ingredients you’ll need. Any meat-based dishes you intend to serve should be complemented by sides since foods like bread, potatoes, and dark green vegetables can help dinner guests feel full and satisfied.

If you’re serving meat as a main dish, plan to buy larger portions of at least a half pound, or 8 ounces, for each guest, or three quarters of a pound, or 12 ounces, for those with larger appetites. If you’re cooking a dish such as a stew or curry, a quarter to a third of a pound—4 to 6 ounces—should be enough. When cooking soups, stews, and roasts, you should also account for one additional portion in case an unexpected guest arrives.

2. Understand Cooking Yields

Meat loses moisture and fat while cooking, particularly fattier cuts or types such as belly or ground beef. The weight of the portion after serving is the yield, the total amount a diner can expect to enjoy. You may also want to trim away unappetizing pieces of fat, bone, or gristle, thus further reducing the amount which reaches the plate.

Most fish lose 30% of their weight during cooking, while a whole chicken will lose about 35%. A whole turkey can lose up to half its volume, while ground beef can lose as much as 85%. When buying meat from your butcher, take its yield into account to ensure that your guests are left satisfied.

3. Use Your Hand

Without the benefit of scales or pre-weighed portions, it can be difficult to know how much meat or fish to buy. As a rule of thumb, you can picture how much meat will fit into the palm of your hand. This should give you a good rough idea of an adequate serving size for individuals based on their size, since the hands are usually proportionate to the body.

When you need fresh, tasty meat to serve at your next get-together, visit Hammann's Catering, Butcher Shop & Deli in Fairfield, OH. This local butcher offers an extensive selection of appetizing meats, including sausages, BBQ, gourmet burgers, party trays, and meat bundles, to residents throughout the Tri-State area. Visit their website to browse their menu, and call (513) 858-3237 to place an order today.