How much does meat shrink when cooked?

Typically 15-40% depending on fat content, cut, and cooking method. High-heat grilling causes more shrinkage than slow roasting.

Yes, buy 10-15% extra as a buffer, especially for events. Leftover meat is easy to use, but running short is difficult to fix.

Does bone-in meat need more per person?

Yes. Bones add weight but are not edible. Buy about 50% more raw weight per person for bone-in cuts compared to boneless.

Meat Per Person Calculator

Calculate how much raw meat to buy per person, accounting for cooking shrinkage and bone weight.

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Number of People

people

Cooked Serving Per Person

Cooking Shrinkage

Raw Meat Per Person

267 g

Total Raw Meat1,600 g

Total Raw Meat3.5 lb

View formula & how it works →

How Much Meat Per Person

Formula

Raw Weight = Cooked Serving / (1 - Shrinkage %)

Meat loses weight during cooking due to water and fat loss.

Typical Shrinkage

Lean poultry breast: 15%

Roasts, steaks: 25%

Burgers, fatty cuts: 35%

Ribs, bone-in: 40%

General Guidelines

Boneless: 170-225 g raw per person

Bone-in: 280-340 g raw per person

Example Calculation

Buy roast beef for 6 people, targeting 200 g cooked per person.

01Cooked serving: 200 g per person.
02Shrinkage: 25% (medium).
03Raw per person: 200 / (1 - 0.25) = 200 / 0.75 = 267 g.
04Total raw: 267 x 6 = 1600 g = 3.5 lbs.

Frequently Asked Questions

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Recipe Scaling Guide - How to Double, Halve, or Adjust Any Recipe

Learn how to scale recipes up or down accurately. Covers multiplying ingredients, adjusting cooking times and temperatures, and avoiding common scaling mistakes.

Meat Per Person Calculator

How Much Meat Per Person

Formula

Typical Shrinkage

General Guidelines

Example Calculation

Frequently Asked Questions

Recipe Scaling Guide - How to Double, Halve, or Adjust Any Recipe

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