Food
BBQ Meat Calculator
Enter guests and meat per person to see total weight, with a buffer for big appetites.
How much meat for a BBQ?
Barbecue shopping lists start from guest count × meat per person, then a buffer for big appetites and bone-in cuts that yield less edible meat. Enter guests, grams (or ounces) per person, buffer percent and optional price per kilogram to see total weight and rough spend. Burgers need less raw weight than ribs for the same plate; generous sides and vegetarian options should reduce the meat guest count or the per-person figure. Children often eat less — count them as a fraction if that matches your crowd. This is a planning rule of thumb, not nutrition or food-safety advice. Pair the cookout with party drinks and party food quantities.
Worked example
12 guests × 250 g = 3,000 g before buffer. With 15% buffer ≈ 3,450 g (3.45 kg); at £9/kg ≈ £31.05.
Limits and assumptions
Rule of thumb only — not nutritional guidance or food-safety advice. Bone-in vs boneless yields differ widely.
Frequently asked questions
How should I count children?
Use a lower per-person figure or count each child as half an adult portion if that fits your group.
Why do ribs need more raw weight than burgers?
Bone and trim mean more raw kilograms per edible serving — raise “meat per person” for bone-in cuts.
What if I want leftovers?
Increase the buffer percentage so the total weight includes planned extras.
How do vegetarian guests affect the total?
Reduce the meat guest count (or per-person amount) so you are not buying protein nobody will eat.