what does 6 oz of beef look like

What Does 6 Ounces of Beef Look Like? A Visual Guide to Proper Portions

Beef is a nutritious and delicious staple that works great in everything from burgers to stews to kebabs, Many beef recipes call for around a 6 ounce serving per person But what should you actually expect a 6 ounce portion of beef to look like on your plate?

As a visual learner in the kitchen, I decided to find out. Keep reading for a complete visual guide to identifying the perfect 6 ounce serving of beef.

What 6 Ounces of Raw Beef Looks Like

When buying beef from the grocery store or butcher shop, a 6 ounce raw portion equals about:

• The size of an orange or tennis ball

• A cupped handful

• A small protein shake container

To be exact, 6 ounces of raw beef is:

• 170 grams

• 5-6 inches long

• 2.5-3 inches wide

Use an orange as a handy visual reference when eyeballing a 6 ounce raw portion at home. For the most accuracy, use a digital food scale.

How the Size Changes When Cooked

Once cooked, that 6 ounce raw beef portion will reduce a bit due to moisture loss during the cooking process. You’ll end up with around 5-5.5 ounces of cooked beef.

When cooked, 6 ounces of beef looks roughly like:

• A baseball size

• A cupped double handful

• A hockey puck shape about 2 inches thick

If a recipe calls for 6 ounces of cooked beef per serving, remember to account for shrinkage and start with around a 7 ounce raw portion before cooking.

How to Use 6 Ounces of Beef

A 6 ounce serving of beef provides a good amount of meat for dishes like:

• Burgers or sliders – Makes 2-3 patties

• Taco filling or fajitas – For 3 tacos or 1 fajita

• Stir fry – 1 serving over rice

• Beef stew – 1 hearty bowl

• Kebabs – For 2-3 skewers

• Pasta Bolognese – Sauce for 1 large or 2 small servings

• Shepherd’s pie – Filling for top and bottom

A little beef goes a long way in flavorful recipes!

Cooking Methods for Juicy, Flavorful Beef

To get the most tender, mouthwatering beef, use these cooking techniques:

• Pan searing – Cook in a very hot pan to get a nice browned crust.

• Oven roasting – Roast seasoned beef at 350°F to desired doneness.

• Grilling – Grill over high heat, basting with sauce glaze.

• Slow cooker – Combine with veggies and seasonings and cook on low 8-10 hours.

• Sous vide – Seal beef in a bag and cook in a precision water bath.

• Broiling – Broil beef 4-5 inches from heat until it reaches desired doneness.

Properly preparing beef ensures you get amazing texture and big, bold beefy flavor in every bite.

Nutrition Info in a 6 Ounce Serving

A 6 ounce serving of beef provides:

• Protein: Around 36 grams – builds and repairs muscle

• Zinc: Approximately 5 mg – boosts immunity

• Iron: Roughly 3 mg – aids oxygen transport

• Vitamin B12: About 2 mcg – prevents anemia

• Selenium: Around 28 mcg – acts as an antioxidant

Go for leaner cuts like sirloin or round to reduce saturated fat intake.

Lower Sodium Beef Options

If limiting sodium, choose lower sodium beef options when possible. You can also:

• Rinse cooked beef to remove some surface salt

• Use low sodium versions of sauces and marinades

• Skip adding extra salt during cooking

• Flavor with herbs, spices, garlic, etc. instead of salt

With a few minor adjustments, you can still enjoy deliciously seasoned beef within your sodium goals.

Lean Protein Alternatives to Beef

For those looking to cut back on red meat or try different proteins, consider these alternatives to beef:

• Chicken or turkey breast

• Pork tenderloin or chops

• Grilled shrimp or fish like salmon or cod

• Tofu, tempeh, or seitan

• Beans and lentils

• Veggie-based meat substitute products

Vary your protein sources while keeping portions around 6 ounces for balance.

The Takeaway

Knowing what a 6 ounce serving of beef looks like makes portioning easier when cooking. A 6 ounce raw portion resembles an orange. Cooked, it shrinks slightly to around a baseball size. This amount provides plenty of protein for burgers, tacos, pasta dishes, and more. Use this visual guide to get perfect 6 ounce beef portions every time.