What Does 6 Ounces of Roast Beef Look Like? A Visual Guide

Roast beef is a delicious and versatile meat that works great in sandwiches, salads, and entrées. But when a recipe calls for a 6 ounce serving, what should that portion look like on your plate?

As a visual learner in the kitchen, I decided to find out the answer. Keep reading for a complete guide to identifying the perfect 6 ounce roast beef portion with useful size comparisons, photos cooking tips, and more.

What 6 Ounces of Raw Roast Beef Looks Like

When purchasing roast beef at the grocery store or butcher, a 6 ounce raw portion is comparable in size to:

• An orange or tennis ball
• A cupped handful
• A small protein shake container

To be exact

• 6 ounces raw = 170 grams
• Length: Roughly 5-6 inches
• Width: Around 2.5-3 inches across

Here’s a simple visual reference:

![Raw roast beef 6 oz][]

A raw 6 ounce roast beef portion

Using an orange as a size guide works well when eyeballing 6 ounces of roast beef at home. Using a food scale provides the most accuracy.

How the Size Changes When Cooked

After roasting, that 6 ounce raw roast beef portion will reduce a bit in size due to moisture loss. You’ll end up with around 5-5.5 ounces of cooked roast beef.
When cooked, 6 ounces of roast beef is about the size of:

• A baseball
• A cupped double handful
• A hockey puck, around 2 inches thick

If your recipe calls for 6 ounces cooked, remember to start with a 7 ounce raw portion to account for shrinkage during cooking.

How to Use 6 Ounces of Roast Beef

A 6 ounce serving of roast beef provides ample meat for various dishes:

• Roast beef sandwiches or French dip – Makes 2-3 hearty sandwiches
• Roast beef salad – Sliced over greens, veggies, and cheese
• Roast beef hash – Cubed with potatoes, onions, peppers
• Fajitas or quesadillas – Sliced thin and grilled with veggies
• Roast beef pizza – Shredded as a protein topping
• Pasta dishes – Sliced over noodles in a cream or red sauce
• Rice bowls – Served over grains like rice or quinoa

A little bit of roast beef goes a long way to adding hearty protein to meals!

Cooking Methods for Perfect Roast Beef

To get tender, juicy roast beef full of flavor, use these cooking techniques:

• Oven roasting – Season and roast at 350°F until desired doneness
• Slow cooker – Cook 8-10 hours on low with vegetables
• Grilling – Quick grill 5-7 minutes per side for nice char
• Sous vide – Seal and cook in water bath to perfect doneness
• Pan searing – Cook slices in hot pan with butter or oil until browned

Proper cooking brings out roast beef’s signature savory, beefy taste.

Nutrition Information in 6 Ounces of Roast Beef

A 6 ounce serving of roast beef contains:

• Protein: 36g – builds muscle and repairs tissue
• Iron: 3mg – transports oxygen
• Zinc: 5mg – supports immunity and growth
• Vitamin B12: 2μg – prevents anemia and aids brain
• Selenium: 28μg – antioxidant to reduce cell damage

However, roast beef can also be high in saturated fat so consume leaner cuts in moderation.

Options for Lower Sodium Roast Beef

If limiting sodium, choose a lower sodium roast beef. You can also:

• Rinse cooked roast beef to remove some surface salt
• Use low sodium sauces and marinades
• Skip adding extra salt when cooking
• Use more fresh herbs and spices to flavor instead of salt

With a few tweaks, you can still enjoy delicious roast beef while watching sodium.

Lean Protein Alternatives to Roast Beef

For those looking to reduce red meat or try different proteins, here are some alternatives:

• Rotisserie or roasted chicken
• Pork tenderloin
• Grilled shrimp, salmon, or whitefish
• Seared tofu or tempeh
• Beans or lentils
• Veggie-based meat substitutes

Vary up your protein while keeping portions around 6 ounces for a balanced approach.

The Takeaway

Estimating portion sizes like 6 ounces of roast beef is useful for meal planning and prep. A 6 ounce raw portion is about the size of an orange, cooking down to around a baseball size when roasted. This quantity provides ample lean protein for sandwiches, pasta, and more. Next time you prepare roast beef, refer to this visual guide for easy and accurate portioning.