Beef is a versatile menu item whether you’re cooking for one, two or a crowd. Beef provides protein, vitamins and minerals. Most beef and other meats come in 3-ounce servings, which is about the size of a deck of cards. About 180 calories, 10 grams of fat, and 15% of your daily iron needs are met by a 3-ounce serving of lean ground beef. Lead Author.
The amount of fat in meat depends on the cut and cooking method. To reduce fat content, trim away all visible fat from roasts before cooking. Broil, grill or roast meat instead of frying with added fat; drain excess fat after cooking.
Minced beef also known as ground beef or hamburger meat is a versatile and budget-friendly meat option for feeding a crowd. But how much minced beef should you buy per person? The answer depends on a few factors.
Average Portion Sizes
According to the USDA the recommended cooked serving size for ground beef is 3 ounces (85 grams) per person. However when serving hamburgers, allow for 4-8 ounces (113-227g) per burger.
For a main dish like chili, spaghetti bolognese or shepherd’s pie, plan on 4-6 ounces (113-170g) of cooked ground beef per person If using minced beef as part of a casserole or stir fry with other ingredients, 2-3 ounces (57-85g) per person is sufficient
As a general rule of thumb, 125g of raw minced beef per adult should provide an adequate portion size. This allows for some leftovers or larger servings for heartier appetites.
Purchase Raw Weight
It’s important to note that the above recommendations are for cooked weights. Raw minced beef will lose around 25% of its weight during cooking due to fat rendering and moisture loss.
So if your recipe calls for 170g cooked minced beef per person, you’ll need to purchase around 225g raw weight per person.
Always buy extra raw weight than the cooked amount required to account for this shrinkage during cooking.
Consider the Dish
The type of dish you are making also determines ideal minced beef portion sizes.
For burgers, allow 113-170g minced beef per burger patty. So for 150g patties, you’d need 300g raw weight per double patty burger.
For meatballs, 40-50g is a good sized meatball. Allow 2-3 meatballs per adult portion.
For chili or bolognese, around 170g cooked weight works well. Purchase 225g raw weight per person.
For cottage pie or shepherd’s pie, allow 170-225g cooked weight since these dishes feature minced beef as the main component.
For stir fries or casseroles, 85-113g cooked weight is often sufficient when mixed with other ingredients. Go for 110-150g raw weight per person.
Factor In Appetites
Appetites vary, so factor in if you’re cooking for big eaters or those with smaller appetites. Teenagers, men and manual laborers often have heartier appetites and may want larger portions. Women, seniors and children often eat smaller servings.
For a mixed gender and age group, the 125g raw weight per person is a safe bet. But consider upsizing portions if catering for a sports team or physical job site.
Likewise, decrease portions if cooking for mainly seniors or those with smaller appetites. Don’t want to waste food and money on leftovers? Scale portions up or down according to your crowd.
Cook Once, Eat Twice
A great way to maximize your minced beef when cooking for a group is to repurpose it into another meal. Cook up a double batch of cottage pie, chili or spaghetti bolognese. Serve half immediately and refrigerate or freeze the other half for an easy next day meal.
Get creative with leftovers – turn extra chili into chili dogs, stuffed peppers or top nachos. Use bolognese sauce on pizza or in a baked pasta dish. Transform shepherd’s pie into hash or soup. With some creativity, one big batch of minced beef can go a long way!
Handy Minced Beef Calculator
To easily calculate how much minced beef you need to buy and cook for a specific number of people, use a minced beef calculator.
A handy calculator from CalculateThis.com allows you to:
- Input number of adults & children
- Select your desired serving size per person
- Choose preparation method like burgers, chili, cottage pie etc
- Automatically calculates:
- Raw weight to buy
- Cooked weight required
- Total raw cost based on lb/kg price you enter
This takes the guesswork out of shopping and prepping the right quantity of minced beef for your recipe and party size. No more scrambling to adjust recipe quantities – let the calculator do the work!
Tips for Buying Minced Beef
When purchasing minced beef for a crowd, keep these tips in mind:
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Check sell-by dates: Buy minced beef well before the use-by date to allow a safe margin for prep and cooking time.
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Know your labels: Opt for organic, grass-fed or hormone-free minced beef if desired. Check fat percentages too.
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Buy in bulk: Buying larger pack sizes often means better value for money.
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Think ahead: Thaw frozen minced beef in the refrigerator 1-2 days before needing to cook.
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Portion and freeze: For large packs, divide into recipe-sized portions and freeze extra to use later.
Food Safety Tips
When dealing with large batches of raw minced beef, proper storage, handling and cooking is key to avoid food poisoning. Follow these guidelines:
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Refrigerate raw minced beef right away and use within 1-2 days of purchasing.
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When thawing, keep frozen beef in fridge, never at room temp.
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Don’t wash beef before cooking, as this can spread bacteria.
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Wash hands, utensils and surfaces after handling raw beef.
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Cook minced beef thoroughly to 160°F internal temperature. Use a food thermometer to check.
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Keep hot food hot (above 140°F) and cold food cold (below 40°F).
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Refrigerate or freeze leftovers within 2 hours and reheat fully when ready to eat again.
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When reheating, bring minced beef dishes to 165°F internal temperature.
Following basic food prep and storage guidelines will keep your food safe and illness free.
Alternative Meat Options
If catering for crowds with diverse dietary needs, minimize meat or provide plant-based alternatives. Here are some ideas:
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Use half minced beef and half lentils or mushrooms in dishes to reduce meat content.
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Offer a vegetarian chili, curry, or pasta sauce option made with lentils, tofu or Quorn grounds.
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For burgers, provide a grilled portobello mushroom cap as a meatless choice.
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Let guests build their own tacos or burritos with veggies, beans and avocado for protein.
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Offering just 2-3 plant-based options makes catering for mixed diets easier and more inclusive.
Get Your Gathering’s Minced Beef Needs Covered
Feeding a crowd doesn’t need to be complicated. With some planning, portion awareness and smart shopping, you can perfectly estimate minced beef needs for any get-together.
Use the recommended 125g raw weight per person guideline to buy enough ground beef for your recipes. Adjust up or down based on appetites and the dish being served. Reduce waste by repurposing or freezing leftovers. And incorporate plant-based options to accommodate all dietary needs.
With the handy minced beef calculator and tips above, you can easily tackle your next large dinner party, barbecue or family reunion. Now get ready to wow the crowd with your minced beef masterpieces!
Quick Cooking Tips to Preserve Quality
- For dry cooking, use medium heat. For wet cooking, use low heat.
- When you turn steaks or roasts, don’t use a fork. Instead, use tongs to keep the juices inside.
- Use a spatula to turn the burgers, but don’t press the juices out.
Keep Meat Safe at Home
- NOT in the sink or on the counter, but in the microwave or fridge. Microwave-thawed meat should be cooked immediately.
- Put raw beef in the fridge or meat drawer that is the coldest. Keep it below ready-to-eat foods to avoid cross-contamination.
- Every time you handle food, wash your hands for 20 seconds with soap and warm running water.
- Cutting boards used for cutting raw meat should not be near cutting boards used for ready-to-eat foods.
Courtesy of the North Dakota Beef Commission
Bodybuilding Nutrition Tip: How to Accurately Weigh Cooked Meat
FAQ
Is 250g of mince enough for 2 people?
How many grams of mince for one person?
What is 1 serving of beef mince?
How much ground beef per person in grams?
How many ounces of minced beef should a person eat?
When it comes to minced beef, a single serving size is 3 to 4 ounces, which is about 85 to 115 grams. However, if you are not physically active, it’s recommended to consume 3 to 4 ounces of minced beef as part of a healthy meal. If you are more active, the recommended serving size increases to 8 to 10 ounces.
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 much is a serving of minced beef?
Many restaurants serve portions that exceed recommended calorie requirements for a single meal, sometimes even exceeding the caloric requirements for an entire day. When it comes to minced beef, a single serving size is 3 to 4 ounces, which is about 85 to 115 grams.
How many ounces of ground beef per person?
If you are looking at just a single serving of ground beef, with no other ingredients included, then a single serving would be roughly 8 ounces per person. However, this single serving per person will decrease if you are adding other ingredients to the ground beef, such as vegetables, sauce, pasta, or more.