Are you planning a BBQ or hosting a party and wondering how much beef you need to buy for your beef on a bun?
It can be a daunting task to estimate the right amount of meat per person, especially if you’re not sure about the size of the buns or how meaty your guests like their sandwiches.
But fear not, we’ve got you covered!
In this article, we’ll break down the guidelines for how much ground beef, boneless meat, and steak to purchase per person. Plus, we’ll share some tips on serving crowds and stretching your food.
So, let’s get started and make sure everyone leaves your event satisfied and full!
How Much Beef Per Person For Beef On A Bun?
When it comes to beef on a bun, the amount of beef you need per person will depend on a few factors. The size of the bun, how meaty your guests like their sandwiches, and whether or not you’re serving other dishes will all play a role in determining how much beef you should buy.
For sloppy joes, a crowd favorite and simple recipe, plan on 1/2 cup of sloppy joe meat filling per sandwich when served on a regular-sized hamburger bun. This is about 2 1/2 ounces of meat per sandwich. Estimate 1 1/2 sandwiches per person to ensure there is enough food. You can reduce this amount by about 25% if several side dishes are also served. If you have smaller buns (slider size) and a variety of toppings, you can get away with less meat per person.
For boneless meat, plan on 1/2 pound per person for adults and 1/4 pound per person for children. This estimate is for raw meat only. All meats lose moisture and fat during cooking, so the yield will be anywhere between 25-40% after cooking. Meats with high-fat content tend to have lower yields.
If you’re serving steak, the amount you need per person will depend on the cut of steak you choose. Steaks with bones like T-bones and porterhouse, or those with more fat like rib eyes, will yield less. That means you need more per person. For bone-in steak, buy 17 ounces per person and 13 to 14 ounces for boneless steaks. These yields assume you are buying individual, pre-cut and trimmed steaks. If you plan on cutting your own, the yields will be much lower.
Estimating Meat Quantity For Beef On A Bun
When it comes to estimating the quantity of meat needed for beef on a bun, it’s important to take into account the size of the bun and how meaty your guests like their sandwiches. For a regular-sized hamburger bun, plan on 2 1/2 ounces of meat per sandwich. Estimate 1 1/2 sandwiches per person to ensure there is enough food. This means you will need about 3 3/4 ounces of meat per person.
If you have smaller buns or a variety of toppings, you can get away with less meat per person. However, if you are serving larger buns or more substantial toppings, you may need to increase the amount of meat per sandwich.
When buying beef for your beef on a bun, plan on 1/2 pound of boneless meat per person for adults and 1/4 pound per person for children. Remember that this estimate is for raw meat only, and that all meats lose moisture and fat during cooking. The yield will be anywhere between 25-40% after cooking, depending on the choice of meat, the choice of cut, and the method of cooking.
If you’re serving bone-in steak, plan on buying 17 ounces per person. For boneless steaks, plan on buying 13 to 14 ounces per person. These yields assume that you are buying individual, pre-cut and trimmed steaks. If you plan on cutting your own steaks, the yields will be much lower.
By taking into account these factors and estimates, you can ensure that you have enough beef for your beef on a bun while minimizing waste and maximizing satisfaction among your guests.
How Much Ground Beef Per Person For Beef On A Bun
When it comes to ground beef for beef on a bun, the amount you need per person will depend on the size of the bun and how meaty your guests like their sandwiches. A general rule of thumb is to plan for 1 pound of ground beef to make 6 sandwiches in a sloppy joe recipe. This works out to 3 ounces of ground beef per sandwich. However, you can increase or decrease this amount by an ounce or two depending on your guests’ preferences.
If you’re serving larger buns or have guests with larger appetites, plan on up to 3/4 cup of filling per sandwich, which equals about 3.75 ounces of meat. For smaller buns or younger eaters, 1/4 cup of filling might be enough, which equals about 1.25 ounces of meat.
If you’re serving ground beef as part of a bigger dish like pasta or curry, plan for 1/4 to 1/3 pound (4 to 6 ounces) per person. That means you’ll want at least 2.5 pounds of ground beef if you’re planning to have 10 people over for dinner, and 5 or more pounds if you’re cooking for 20 guests.
It’s also important to keep in mind that ground beef loses around a quarter of its weight when cooked. So, if you want to serve 3 ounces of cooked ground beef per person, you’ll need to buy about 4 ounces of raw ground beef per person.
How Much Boneless Meat Per Person For Beef On A Bun
When it comes to beef on a bun, boneless meat is a popular choice. To determine how much boneless meat per person you need for beef on a bun, plan on 1/2 pound of raw meat per adult and 1/4 pound per child. Keep in mind that this is just an estimate, and the actual yield will be anywhere between 25-40% after cooking.
If you’re serving a large crowd, it’s best to err on the side of caution and buy more meat than you think you’ll need. You can always save leftovers for another meal or freeze them for later use. Additionally, if you’re serving other dishes alongside the beef on a bun, you can reduce the amount of meat per person by about 25%.
It’s important to note that the size of the bun and how meaty your guests like their sandwiches will also play a role in determining how much beef you should buy. If you have smaller buns and a variety of toppings, you can get away with less meat per person.
How Much Steak Per Person For Beef On A Bun
When it comes to beef on a bun, the type of steak you choose will also affect how much you need per person. For slow cooker beef on a bun, using an economical cut of meat like round roast, chuck roast, or sirloin roast is recommended. Plan on serving 1/4 to 3/4 pound of cooked meat per person, depending on the guest. If you’re serving boneless steak, plan on 1/2 pound per person for adults and 1/4 pound per person for children. This estimate is for raw meat only and assumes an average yield of 25-40% after cooking.
If you’re serving bone-in steak like T-bones or porterhouse, plan on buying 17 ounces per person. For rib eyes or other steaks with more fat, plan on buying even more per person. It’s always better to have a little too much than to run out, so consider the size of your buns and how meaty your guests like their sandwiches when making your calculations. Remember that if you have several side dishes, you can reduce the amount of beef per person by about 25%.
Tips For Serving Crowds And Stretching Your Food
When serving a crowd, it’s important to stretch your food as much as possible without sacrificing flavor or quality. Here are some tips to help you do just that:
1. Choose cheaper cuts of meat: When buying beef for your beef on a bun, choose cheaper cuts of meat like chuck or round. These cuts are less expensive and can be just as flavorful when cooked properly.
2. Add fillers: To stretch your beef, consider adding fillers like beans or rice to your recipe. This will bulk up the dish and make it more filling without adding too much extra cost.
3. Serve smaller portions: Instead of serving large portions of beef on a bun, consider serving smaller portions and offering other dishes as well. This will not only help you stretch your food but also give your guests more variety.
4. Use toppings to your advantage: Toppings like cheese, lettuce, and tomato can make a big difference in how filling your beef on a bun is. Use these toppings to your advantage and add more if needed.
5. Make ahead and freeze: If you have leftovers or want to make your beef on a bun ahead of time, consider freezing it in gallon zip lock bags. This will make it easy to store and reheat when needed.
By following these tips, you can serve a crowd without breaking the bank or sacrificing flavor. Remember to consider the size of your buns, the preferences of your guests, and any other dishes you’ll be serving when determining how much beef per person you should buy.