How Much Meat Per Person? (BBQ, Roast & Curry Charts)
Exact per-person quantities for a BBQ, a Sunday roast, a curry and a grazing board — so you buy enough without a fortnight of leftovers.
The two questions every host asks: how much meat, and which cuts. Here are the numbers, then how to buy them.
The rules of thumb
Boneless, meat as the main: 200–250g per adult raw. Big eaters or a crowd of blokes: 300g. Bone-in (chops, ribs, wings, roast on the bone): 350–450g per adult raw — you're paying for bone weight. Meat as one of several dishes (curry night, tacos, a spread): 125–175g per adult. Kids under 12: roughly half an adult portion. Always add ~15% if there's no other substantial food, or if it's a long grazing event.
BBQ (meat as the event)
| Guests | Sausages | Steak / chops | Skewers | Total meat |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | 9–12 | 1kg | 12 | ~2.5kg |
| 12 | 18–24 | 2kg | 24 | ~5kg |
| 20 | 30–40 | 3.5kg | 40 | ~8.5kg |
A BBQ meat pack is built to these ratios; for 20+ a half lamb or bulk boxes are cheaper per kilo.
Sunday roast
| Diners | Boneless roast (beef/pork/lamb) | Bone-in (leg of lamb, rib roast) | Whole chicken |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 800g–1kg | 1.4–1.8kg | 1 x 1.6kg |
| 6 | 1.2–1.5kg | 2–2.7kg | 1 x 2.2kg or 2 birds |
| 10 | 2–2.5kg | 3.5–4.5kg | 2 x 2kg |
Buy a slightly bigger roast than you need — the leftovers are the point, and a bigger joint cooks more evenly.
Brisket / low-and-slow
Brisket loses ~40% of its raw weight to rendering and trim. For pulled brisket as the main, buy 700–800g raw per person. A 5kg packer brisket feeds 6–8 properly.
Curry / stew
150–175g of diced or mince per person, since rice, dahl and vegetables carry the plate. A 1kg pack of diced beef or lamb does 6.
Grazing / charcuterie board
80–120g of sliced meats per person as a starter, 150g if it's the meal.
Buying to a number
Work out your total kilos, then decide: a meat box if you want it curated, a BBQ pack for a cookout, or a bulk / carcass share if you've got the freezer and want the best price.
Frequently asked questions
How much meat per person for a BBQ?
If meat is the main event, plan 250–350g per adult raw across sausages, steak and skewers — roughly 2.5kg for 6 people, 5kg for 12, 8.5kg for 20. Halve it for kids and add 15% if there's no other substantial food.
How much roast per person?
Boneless roast: 200–250g per person raw. Bone-in (leg of lamb, rib roast): 350–450g. A 1.2–1.5kg boneless joint feeds 6; buy slightly bigger for even cooking and leftovers.
How much brisket per person?
Brisket loses about 40% of its raw weight to rendering and trim, so buy 700–800g raw per person for pulled brisket as the main. A 5kg brisket feeds 6–8.
How much meat for a curry?
About 150–175g of diced meat or mince per person, because rice, dahl and vegetables carry most of the plate. A 1kg pack of diced beef or lamb serves 6.