Are you planning a dinner party and wondering how much beef to buy?
Or maybe you’re just trying to portion out your meals for the week.
Either way, understanding how much 10 or 20 ounces of beef is can be a helpful tool in meal planning.
In this article, we’ll break down the measurements and provide some helpful tips for calculating how much beef you need for your next meal.
So, grab a pen and paper and let’s get started!
How Much Is 10 20 Ounces Of Beef?
When it comes to beef, the weight can be a bit confusing. 20 ounces of beef is equivalent to 1 pound and 4 ounces. So, if you need 10 20 ounces of beef, that would be 10 pounds and 4 ounces of beef.
But how much beef do you actually need for your meal? It depends on a few factors, such as the number of people you’re serving and the type of dish you’re making.
For example, if you’re making tacos and using ground beef, a good rule of thumb is to use 1/2 pound of beef per person. So, for a party of 20 people, you would need 10 pounds of beef.
If you’re cooking bone-in meat, such as a roast or steak, a general guideline is to use 1 pound per adult and 1/2 pound per child. So, for a party of 20 people with both adults and children, you would need approximately 15-16 pounds of bone-in meat.
It’s also important to consider the fat content of the beef. Leaner cuts of beef will have fewer calories than fattier cuts. For example, 20 ounces of ground beef with 90% lean and 10% fat contains approximately 986 calories.
Understanding Ounce Measurements
When it comes to cooking, understanding ounce measurements is crucial, especially when it comes to measuring ingredients accurately. In the United States, there are two types of ounces commonly used in cooking: fluid ounces and dry ounces.
Fluid ounces are used to measure liquids, such as water, milk, or oil. On the other hand, dry ounces are used to measure ingredients that are not liquid, such as flour, sugar, or spices. It’s important to note that one fluid ounce does not equal one dry ounce.
To convert fluid ounces to cups, you need to divide the number of fluid ounces by 8. For example, 10 fluid ounces of water is equivalent to 1.25 cups. Meanwhile, to convert dry ounces to cups, you need to use a conversion chart that takes into account the weight and density of the ingredient.
When it comes to beef, it’s important to note that 16 ounces of beef is equivalent to 1 pound. Therefore, 20 ounces of beef is equivalent to 1 pound and 4 ounces. This measurement can be useful when following recipes or when buying meat at the grocery store.
How Much Beef Do You Need?
When it comes to buying beef, it’s important to know how much you actually need. The amount of beef you need will depend on a few factors, such as the number of people you’re serving and the type of dish you’re making.
If you’re serving ground beef, a good rule of thumb is to use 1/2 pound of beef per person for adults and 1/4 pound per person for children. So, for a party of 20 people, you would need 10 pounds of ground beef.
For bone-in meat, such as a roast or steak, a general guideline is to use 1 pound per adult and 1/2 pound per child. So, for a party of 20 people with both adults and children, you would need approximately 15-16 pounds of bone-in meat.
It’s also important to consider the yield of edible meat from a beef carcass when buying in bulk. On average, a whole cow will yield approximately 440 pounds of beef, with approximately 200 pounds being ground beef and the other 220 pounds in cuts like steaks, roasts, ribs, brisket, and tenderloin. A whole cow is great for families of three or more that eat beef with four or more meals a week.
Additionally, it’s important to consider the fat content of the beef when calculating how much you need. Leaner cuts of beef will have fewer calories than fattier cuts. For example, 20 ounces of ground beef with 90% lean and 10% fat contains approximately 986 calories.
By considering these factors, you can determine how much beef you need for your meal or for buying in bulk.
Calculating Portions For A Dinner Party
When hosting a dinner party, it’s important to calculate the right amount of beef to buy. The first step is to determine the number of guests you’ll be serving. Once you have that number, you can use the recommended portion sizes as a guide.
For bone-in meat, such as roasts or steaks, plan on using 1 pound per adult and 1/2 pound per child. So, for a party of 10 adults and 10 children, you would need approximately 12.5 pounds of bone-in meat.
If you’re serving ground beef dishes, such as burgers or meatballs, plan on using 1/2 pound of beef per person. For a party of 20 people, you would need 10 pounds of ground beef.
It’s important to keep in mind that the yield of cooked meat is lower than the weight of raw meat. On average, you can expect to lose about 25% of the total weight of the meat after cooking. This means that if you need 10 pounds of cooked ground beef, you’ll need to purchase approximately 13 pounds of raw ground beef.
Additionally, consider the fat content of the beef when making your calculations. Leaner cuts will have fewer calories than fattier cuts. For example, 20 ounces of ground beef with 90% lean and 10% fat contains approximately 986 calories.
By following these guidelines and calculations, you can ensure that you have enough beef for your dinner party without overspending or wasting food.
Tips For Portioning Out Meals For The Week
If you’re looking to portion out meals for the week, there are a few tips you can follow to ensure you’re getting the right amount of beef in each meal.
1. Use a kitchen scale: Invest in a kitchen scale to accurately measure out your portions. This will help you avoid overeating and ensure you’re getting the right amount of protein in each meal.
2. Stick to recommended portion sizes: As mentioned earlier, a good portion size for any protein is half a pound or 8 ounces (227 gm) of raw meat. Use this as a guideline when portioning out your meals.
3. Consider your activity level: If you’re an athlete or have a high activity level, you may need more protein in your diet. In this case, you can increase your portion sizes accordingly.
4. Plan ahead: If you know you’ll be having beef for dinner, plan your other meals accordingly to ensure you’re balancing your protein intake throughout the day.
5. Choose lean cuts of beef: As mentioned earlier, leaner cuts of beef will have fewer calories than fattier cuts. Choose lean cuts such as sirloin or flank steak to keep your calorie intake in check.
By following these tips, you can easily portion out your meals for the week and ensure you’re getting the right amount of beef in each meal.
How To Cook Your Beef To Perfection
Cooking beef to perfection can be a bit of an art, but it’s not as complicated as it may seem. Here are some important steps to follow:
1. Bring the beef to room temperature: Take the meat out of the fridge 30-40 minutes before cooking. This allows it to come to room temperature and ensures even cooking.
2. Season the beef: Salt your beef at least 40 minutes before cooking, or even the night before, to allow for “dry brining.” This will not only season the beef but also help it retain moisture for a juicy, tender bite.
3. Dry the beef and leave the fat on: Pat the steaks dry with paper towels for that perfect outer crust. If you want to cut the fat off the steak, do it once it’s cooked as fat adds flavor and moisture to the meat while it’s cooking.
4. Don’t add oil to the pan: Instead, brush the beef with oil and season all over with a little salt and pepper.
5. Preheat your pan or grill: Preheat a large frying pan (or BBQ) to a high heat. If using a frying pan, the heavier the base, the better – heavy-based pans hold heat longer and cook the meat evenly. It’s important not to overcrowd the pan or BBQ, or the meat will stew rather than sear.
6. Use the Two-Zone Method: The key to grilling thick-cut steaks is a two-zone fire. Set up your grill to have one hot zone and one cool zone. This can be done by turning on half of your burners or putting the coals just on one side of your grill. The side without burners or coals underneath it is where the steaks will begin. This lower, indirect heat will help raise the internal temperature so when you transfer it to the hot side of the grill you can sear it quickly and not end up with charred meat that is still raw inside.
7. Timing is key: As a rule of thumb (for a steak 22mm thick) – cook 2 minutes each side for rare, 3-4 mins each side for medium-rare and 4-6 mins each side for medium. For well done, cook for 2-4 minutes each side, then turn the heat down and cook for another 4-6 minutes.
8. Test for doneness: Use the tip of your clean index finger (or tongs) to gently prod the steak. If the steak is soft and squishy, it’s rare. If it’s soft but a bit springy, that’s medium-rare. If it’s springy, that’s medium. Any firmer than that and it’s on its way to well done.
9. Let it rest: Place the beef onto a wooden board or plate, cover loosely with foil and rest for about 6-7 minutes before slicing across the grain or serving. Resting will allow the meat to relax, and the juices will return to the meat fibers. This means that juices won’t run out on to the plate when you cut into it – resulting in more tender beef.
By following these steps, you’ll be able to cook your beef perfectly every time – whether you’re grilling steaks or roasting a tenderloin in the oven.
