How much meat per person for a BBQ? A table for 4 to 30 guests

The most common question before any party: how much meat should I buy? The rule we use at the shop is simple – count raw weight, because meat loses 20–30% of its weight when cooked.

The basic rule

• 300–400 g raw meat per adult when meat is the main course with sides
• 500 g per person for big appetites or a BBQ without sides
• about 150 g per child
• bone-in meat (ribs, T-bone): add 30–40% because the bone is part of the weight

Table

• 4 people: 1.4–2 kg
• 6 people: 2–3 kg
• 10 people: 3.5–5 kg
• 20 people: 7–10 kg
• 30 people: 10.5–15 kg

How to split it

For a mixed grill, a good split is one third "quick" meat (ćevapi, sausages), one third pieces to slice (picanha, pork neck) and one third chicken or ribs. For a steak night plan one 350–400 g steak per person or one tomahawk for two to three people.

Don’t want to do the maths? Use our BBQ planner – enter your guests and get a priced list.