Hosting a formal dinner or special event for 200 guests? Planning the menu and shopping list can seem daunting, especially when estimating how much roast beef to buy. Follow this handy guide to determine the right quantity of roast beef needed for a delicious and abundant meal that will comfortably feed a crowd of 200.
The Meat Serving Size Per Person
When planning food for a large dinner party, a good rule of thumb is to allow 6-8 ounces of meat per person. This provides a generous portion that satisfies most adult appetites.
For a dinner serving roast beef as the main entree, plan for 7 ounces of boneless roast beef per guest. This comes out to about:
- 87.5 pounds of raw roast beef for 200 people
If serving bone-in rib roast instead of boneless increase the amount by 15% to account for the bone weight.
So for bone-in rib roast for 200 guests, you’ll need 100.6 pounds.
Purchasing Your Roast Beef
To purchase beef for 200 in the correct quantities, order from a restaurant supply company, butcher shop or wholesale club Request the following
For boneless roast
- 87.5 pounds boneless top round roast or boneless ribeye roast
For bone-in roast:
- 100.6 pounds bone-in rib roast
Request the roast be delivered 1-2 days before your event to allow time to trim and prep. Have meat weighed before you take delivery so there are no surprises.
Serving Style Factors
There are a few factors around the serving style that can slightly adjust ideal beef quantities:
Serving other entree options – If roast beef is just one option and guests can choose other entrees like chicken or fish, reduce beef to around 60 pounds for 200.
Serving sizes – If catering a particularly high-end event where larger 8-10 oz portions are preferred, increase total roast beef amount by 15-20%.
Leftovers – To ensure ample leftovers as a precaution, add 5-10 pounds extra beef. Extras can be used for sandwiches, salads, etc. after the main event.
Appetizers – If also serving hearty beef appetizers that fill guests up, can reduce entree portions a bit and order 5-10 pounds less roast beef.
Side Dishes and Complete Meal
Plan on 1-2 complimentary sides along with the beef entree. Options like roasted potatoes, rice or pasta and vegetables pair well.
Allow 4-6 oz per person for starchy sides and 2-3 oz per person for veggies.
Complete your menu with appetizers, salad, bread and dessert. Having an abundant meal ensures all guests’ preferences and appetites are satisfied.
To Summarize:
When planning a dinner party for 200 guests, for the entree meat main course of roast beef:
- Plan on serving 7 oz boneless roast beef per person, so 87.5 lbs for 200
- Or 8 oz bone-in rib roast per person, so 100.6 lbs for 200
- Order from a butcher, restaurant supplier or wholesale club
- Include 1-2 complementary side dishes at 4-6 oz per person
- Add appetizers, salad, bread and dessert to round out the menu
Following this handy roast beef estimating guide will guarantee you order the right quantity to create an elegant, abundant dinner party feast. Your guests will be impressed with your organizing and hospitality skills!
Chart of Food Estimates: How Much Food Do You Need?
Are you making a big meal for a lot of people? This helpful chart can help you figure out how much meat, sides, desserts, and sauces you should buy. From holidays to family reunions to potlucks and picnics, have enough food for everyone!.
These cooking estimates are based on “average” servings. If you have extra-large eaters, change the amounts, and if you have kids, change the amounts.
How Much Meat Should You Buy to Feed a Crowd?
FAQ
How much beef do I need for 200 people?
How many pounds of roast beef for 100 people?
How much beef do I need for 100 adults?
How much does 15 lbs of meat feed?
How much roast beef do you need per person?
To determine the amount of roast beef needed, multiply the number of guests by 0.5 (if using the recommended ½ pound per person serving size). For example, if you are hosting ten people, you would need approximately 5 pounds of roast beef (10 guests x 0.5 pounds). 2. Should I account for bones when calculating the amount of roast beef per person?
How many ounces of meat should a restaurant Eat?
But you can also increase or decrease the number of portions if you know there will be quite a few big eaters, or a lot of diet-conscious guests. Although the USDA recommended portion size of meat at a meal is 3 ounces, the typical serving size of meat in catering is between 4 to 6 ounces.
How much does a 4 pound roast weigh?
Example 1: For 6 guests, you choose a 4-pound bone-in roast. Adjusted weight: 4 lbs x 0.75 = 3 lbs. Estimated cooked yield: 3 lbs x 0.75 = 2.25 lbs. Servings: 2.25 lbs ÷ 10 ounces = 22.5 servings. Example 2: For 8 guests, you select a 3-pound boneless roast.
What is a typical serving size of meat?
Although the USDA recommended portion size of meat at a meal is 3 ounces, the typical serving size of meat in catering is between 4 to 6 ounces. When meat is the main feature of a meal, such as steak or chicken breast, the serving size increases to 6 to 8 ounces per serving.