How It Works
The calculator uses per-person serving weights recommended by catering professionals and the USDA. It adjusts for meal format (buffets need ~15% more than plated dinners) and accounts for cooking shrinkage — the weight you lose when raw meat cooks down.
- Enter the number of guests.
- Select your meal type — this adjusts portion sizes.
- Pick your main protein — the calculator shows raw and cooked totals.
- Review side dish quantities automatically scaled to your guest count.
For appetizer-only events, switch to "Appetizers Only" mode and set the event duration. The calculator uses the industry standard of 6-8 pieces per person per hour.
Meat Per Person Guide
These weights are for raw (uncooked) meat. Always buy raw weight — the table shows how much you will actually serve after cooking shrinkage.
| Protein | Raw lbs/person | Cooked lbs/person | Servings per lb bought |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beef (steaks) | 0.50 lb | 0.38 lb | ~2 |
| Chicken (bone-in) | 0.75 lb | 0.53 lb | ~1.3 |
| Pulled pork | 0.33 lb | 0.20 lb | ~3 |
| Ribs | 1.50 lb | 1.05 lb | ~0.7 |
| Turkey (whole) | 1.50 lb | 0.98 lb | ~0.7 |
| Fish fillets | 0.50 lb | 0.38 lb | ~2 |
Side Dish Portions
Sides round out the meal. These quantities assume sides complement a main protein — increase by 25% if you are serving a mostly-sides buffet.
| Side Dish | Per Person | For 25 Guests | For 50 Guests |
|---|---|---|---|
| Green salad | 3 oz | 4.7 lbs | 9.4 lbs |
| Bread / rolls | 2 rolls | 50 rolls | 100 rolls |
| Rice or pasta (dry) | 0.25 lb | 6.3 lbs | 12.5 lbs |
| Potato salad | 0.33 lb | 8.3 lbs | 16.5 lbs |
FAQ
How much meat per person for a BBQ?
Plan for 0.5 lb of boneless meat or 0.75 lb of bone-in meat per person. For a casual BBQ with multiple proteins and sides, you can go slightly lower — especially if you have hearty side dishes like mac and cheese or baked beans.
Do I need more food for a buffet vs. a plated dinner?
Yes. Buffets typically require 10-15% more food than plated dinners because guests serve themselves and tend to take larger portions. The calculator automatically adds a 15% buffer for buffet-style meals.
How many appetizers per person for a cocktail party?
The standard is 6-8 pieces per person for the first hour, then 4 pieces per person for each additional hour. For a 3-hour event with 30 guests, that is about 420 total pieces across 3-5 varieties.
Should I account for kids when planning food?
Children under 10 typically eat about half an adult portion. If you have a mixed group, count kids as 0.5 guests in the calculator. Teenagers eat full adult portions — sometimes more.
Related Tools
- Cooking Time Calculator — get exact cooking times and temperatures for the meat you are preparing.
- Turkey Size Calculator — how many pounds of turkey per person for Thanksgiving.
- Smoking Time Calculator — smoke times and temps for brisket, pork, ribs, and more.
- Pasta Serving Calculator — how much dry pasta per person by shape.