How much meat per person for a BBQ? A complete guide per meat type
How much meat do you need per person for a BBQ? Too little is a disaster, too much is a waste. With this complete guide per type of meat, you'll always plan the perfect amount – whether you're grilling for 4 or 40 people.
→ BBQ for large groups — tips & planning | BBQ Guide for Beginners
The basic rule
For a main course, count on 300–400g of raw meat per person. Meat loses 20–40% of its weight during cooking due to moisture loss. With low & slow (brisket, pulled pork), you lose more weight than with quick grilling (steak, chicken).
Per meat type
Chicken
- Whole chicken: ½ chicken per person (approx. 600–700g raw)
- Bone-in chicken thighs: 2–3 pieces per person
- Chicken breast: 150–200g per person
→ How much chicken per person? — complete guide
Spareribs
- As a main course: 400–500g per person (raw)
- As part of a mixed grill: 200–300g per person
→ How many spareribs per person? — complete guide
Pulled pork
- Count on 40–50% weight loss during cooking
- As a main course: 200–250g cooked meat per person = 400–500g raw
→ How much pulled pork per person? — complete guide
Brisket
- Count on 40–50% weight loss
- As a main course: 200–250g cooked meat per person = 400–500g raw
→ How much brisket per person? — complete guide
Steak / entrecôte
- As a main course: 200–250g per person
- Côte de boeuf: 1 piece for 2–3 people (600–900g)
Lamb
- Lamb chops: 2–3 pieces per person
- Lamb shoulder: 300–400g raw per person
Pork belly
- As a main course: 300–400g raw per person
Useful rules of thumb
- More side dishes = less meat needed
- Children eat half the amount of an adult
- For a mixed grill: count on 250–300g total raw meat per person
- Always make 10–15% extra — leftovers are delicious