Most people who need catering want to know, “How much do I need to order?” This page is meant to help you answer that question.
Generally, an adult will eat about 1lb of food per seating. So if you are serving 4 portions of food, you need about 1/4 lb per person. If you are offering 3 portions of food, you need about 1/3 lb per person of each item.
To make this guide more useful, you need to answer a few questions about your group. This is definitely an art more than an exact science.
1. Is your group going to eat a lot? Are they high school football players who will eat a lot? Are they kids who won’t eat much? If they do eat a lot, order a little more.
2. Will the food be served at Lunch or Dinner? People generally eat more at dinner than at lunch.
3. How important is the food to the event? Are people going to eat? Or is the food just an extra? If the food isn’t very important, order a little less.
4. How important is it that you don’t run out of food? Would you rather order too much to make sure you don’t run out, or is one run out okay? If it’s important that you don’t run out of food, order a little more.
5. Are the meals being served on plates so that everyone gets the same amount of each food, or are they being served as a buffet where everyone can take as much of their favorite food as they want? If it’s a buffet, the food’s popularity matters. For instance, Mac & Cheese is more popular than most other sides. If you are serving buffet style, people will choose more of their favorites. Order a few more of your favorites! To move through the slideshow, use the left and right arrows or swipe left and right on a mobile device.
Serving shredded beef at your next party or event? Determining how much to buy can be tricky when cooking for a crowd. Follow this guide on suggested shredded beef portion sizes to ensure you have the right amount.
Shredded Beef Serving Size Per Person
A serving of shredded beef is typically around 4-8 ounces, or 1⁄4 to 1⁄2 pound per person. Here are some general shredded beef serving size guidelines:
- Main course – 8 oz or 1⁄2 pound raw beef per person
- Tacos or sandwiches – 4 oz or 1⁄4 pound raw beef per serving
- Appetizers – 2 oz cooked beef per portion
For big eaters like teenagers or athletes, plan for 6-8 oz or up to 1⁄2 pound cooked shredded beef per serving.
Adjust amounts based on sides, appetizers and the overall menu. More beef may be needed if it’s the main protein.
Calculating How Much Shredded Beef to Buy
Raw beef loses moisture and fat during cooking, decreasing the final yield. For shredded beef, expect around 25% shrinkage.
To determine how much raw beef to buy:
- Estimate number of servings needed
- Multiply by serving size per person
- Divide by the expected yield percentage
Example For 25 people with 8 oz servings, needing a total of 12.5 lbs cooked beef
- 25 people x 8 oz = 200 oz
- 200 oz / 16 oz per lb = 12.5 lbs
- 12.5 lbs / 0.75 yield = 16.7 lbs raw beef
Buy 17 lbs of boneless beef chuck roast to get 12-13 lbs shredded beef after cooking.
Factors Affecting Shredded Beef Amounts
Consider these factors when calculating how much shredded beef per person:
- Type of event – More beef needed as main dish vs appetizer
- Menu offerings – Less beef if more sides and apps provided
- Demographic – Teens and men often eat more
- Leftovers – Buy extra to account for leftovers
- Food waste – Have contingency plan for uneaten food
For buffets with multiple proteins, plan for 2-3 oz shredded beef per person. Increase amounts for beef-focused meals.
Best Beef Cuts for Shredding
Select tougher, well-marbled cuts that become tender when braised. Top choices include:
- Chuck roast – Well-marbled for flavor, moisture
- Brisket – Gets tender with low, slow cooking
- Rump roast – Inexpensive cut good for shredding
- Round steak – Affordable, good for large groups
Avoid pre-tied roasts and opt for thick boneless cuts. Marbling adds important moisture and beefy flavor.
Cooking Shredded Beef for a Crowd
Slow cook large cuts of beef until fall-apart tender:
- Braise in broth in the oven at 300°F for 2-3 hours
- Simmer in a slow cooker on low for 8-10 hours
- Pressure cook on high pressure for 1-1.5 hours
Shred while hot using two forks. Season with salt, pepper and spices.
Let rest 5-10 minutes before serving. Moisten with cooking juices as needed.
Serving Shredded Beef
Keep shredded beef warm in a slow cooker or chafing dish. Serve in:
- Tacos with taco bar toppings
- Sandwiches piled high on rolls
- Baked potatoes or nachos loaded with beef
- Salads or rice bowls topped with beef
Offer barbecue sauce, chimichurri or other condiments on the side.
Use signs to label menu items and buffet stations. Print beef allergy warnings as needed.
With the right calculations, you’ll have the perfect amount of delicious shredded beef on hand for your guests.
FAQ’s on Purchasing Shredded Beef
How much shredded beef for 25 people?
Plan on purchasing 8-10 pounds of raw beef to serve 25 people 4 oz shredded beef portions. Increase to 15 lbs for 8 oz servings.
How many guests will 5 lbs shredded beef serve?
Allowing 8 oz per person, 5 lbs of shredded beef will serve about 6-8 guests. For 4 oz portions, 5 lbs would cover 12-15 people.
What’s the serving size for shredded beef?
The typical serving size is 4-8 oz per person. Main dishes may have 8 oz portions, while appetizers are often 2 oz.
How much beef per person for sandwiches?
Allow 4 oz or 1/4 lb raw beef per person for shredded beef sandwiches. Bun-sized 3 oz cooked portions are also common.
How much raw beef equals 3 lbs cooked?
If the yield is 75%, then 4 lbs of raw beef will cook down to 3 lbs shredded beef (4 x 0.75 = 3).
With the right calculations and these serving tips, your shredded beef will be a hit at any get-together!
