The toughest part of organizing an event isn’t the guest list, the decorations, or the beer run. It’s figuring out how much food to make to satisfy every guest.
An epic BBQ can become a bummer if there isn’t enough food to go around. After all, the food is the main event. However, you also don’t want to waste money or throw away leftovers if you buy too much.
Naturally, you want to make the perfect amount of food for everyone. As BBQ veterans, we have years of experience and plenty of pro tips to share.
Follow this guide, and you’ll serve the perfect amount of food for each guest—no more, no less.
Planning a party or large gathering and wondering how much shredded beef to buy? Determining the right amount of meat for a crowd can be tricky. Follow this complete guide to get the perfect portions of tender juicy shredded beef every time.
How Many Ounces of Shredded Beef Per Person?
The recommended serving size for shredded beef is 8 ounces or half a pound of raw beef per adult. This equals about 3-4 ounces of cooked shredded beef.
For kids ages 4-8, plan on 4 ounces or a quarter pound of raw beef per child. Older kids and teens may eat closer to adult portions.
If serving shredded beef as the main dish with just 2-3 sides, increase portions to 12 ounces or 3/4 pound of raw beef per person. For big eaters like athletes or large, hungry teenagers, allow up to 16 ounces or 1 full pound per person.
Remember that raw beef will shrink during cooking. For slow cooked chuck roasts, expect about 25-30% shrinkage. If starting with 4 pounds of raw chuck roast, the yield after cooking will be around 3 pounds.
Ideal Cuts of Beef for Shredding
Choose tougher, well-marbled cuts that become tender and juicy when slow cooked:
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Chuck roast – This shoulder cut has great fat marbling that keeps it moist and packed with beefy flavor. The arm chuck roast and chuck eye roast are other good options.
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Brisket – Brisket has a coarse texture that needs long, slow cooking to become succulent and shreddable. Look for good marbling.
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Rump roast, flank steak, or skirt steak – Though cheaper than premium cuts, these cuts shine when braised or roasted low and slow.
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Ground beef or stew meat – Quick-cooking but versatile options. Look for 80/20 or 85/15 lean/fat ratio for best moisture.
Calculating Exact Amounts
Follow this simple formula to determine the exact yield and amounts needed:
Yield = Raw Weight x (1 – Percent Shrinkage)
For a 4 pound chuck roast with 25% shrinkage:
Yield = 4 lbs x (1 – 0.25) = 3 lbs
Purchase the raw weight needed for all guests, then plug it into the formula along with the expected shrinkage percentage to get your final cooked yield.
More Tips for Perfect Portions
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For sandwiches, plan for 4-6 ounces finished weight per person.
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For tacos or burritos, allow 6-8 ounces finished weight per person.
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Purchase extra – leftovers freeze great for quick future meals!
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Cook, then weigh shredded beef to dial in ideal portion sizes for your recipes.
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Use an instant read thermometer to ensure beef reaches safe minimum internal temp.
With the right calculations and these handy tips, you’ll have the perfect amount of mouthwatering shredded beef to satisfy any crowd. Now get cooking!
What Are the Guests’ Expectations?
Send your invitations with a clear vision that everyone understands. The more specific, the better—ambiguity is a chef’s enemy.
Before guests RSVP, whether you text, call, or send out a mass email, sum up the menu and let them know what to expect.
This prevents people from showing up and expecting something you aren’t providing. Instead, everyone will be on the same page regarding appetite and expectations.
To make things easier for you and make the party feel more like a family get-together, you can even ask people to bring drinks or side dishes.
Main Considerations for Planning Your BBQ Menu
You’ll need to answer some questions about your event before deciding how many ingredients to buy.
How to…Make Killer Slow-Cooked Shredded Beef
FAQ
How many people will 5 pounds of shredded beef feed?
How much shredded beef per person for sandwiches?
How much pulled beef per person per pound?
How many pounds of beef do I need for 20 people?
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Boneless Meat
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Number of People
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Bone in meat
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9lb / 4.08kg
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18 – 19
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14lb / 6.35kg
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10lb / 4.54kg
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20 – 21
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16lb / 7.25kg
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11lb / 4.98kg
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22 – 23
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18lb / 8.16kg
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12lb / 5.44kg
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24 +
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20lb / 9.07kg
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How much shredded beef per person?
The starting rule of thumb is: Boneless Meat: 1/2 lb. per person for adults and 1/4 lb. per person for children. How Many Pounds Of Shredded Beef Per Person? The suggested serving size for shredded beef is 8 ounces or half a pound of raw meat per person.
How many servings of lean meats should one have per day?
Ideally, each person consumes between 300 and 500 g of meat per week, which means a very small steak per day. This includes red and white meats such as chicken and fish, although they are less fatty.
How many times can you eat shredded beef?
Cook once, eat 3 (or 4!) times. This Slow Cooker Shredded Beef makes enough for at least three dinners, and it’s the perfect protein-packed anchor for so many different meals. The first night we make it, we keep it simple and serve the pulled beef over homemade egg noodles (store bought noodles are also 100% on the level) or creamy mashed potatoes.
How much roast beef per person?
Consider serving sandwiches with roast beef as the main course with 1/2 to 1/3 pound of roast beef per person. You can calculate 1/4 to 1/6 pounds of roast beef per person when it’s included in a buffet or appetizer selection. Depending on your particular event and your guests’ appetites, change the quantities.