How Much Meat Do I Need Per Person for Christmas Lunch?
Your complete serving-size guide for stress-free Christmas planning.
One of the most common questions we get at Rendina’s Butchery in December is:
“How much meat do I need to feed my family on Christmas Day?”
It’s a fair question — no one wants to run out of food, and at the same time, no one wants to overspend or overload the oven.
Here’s a simple breakdown to help you order confidently.
General Rule of Thumb
For most Christmas roasts, this guide works:
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Adults: 250–300g of cooked meat per person
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Children: 120–150g per person
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If serving multiple meats: Reduce each portion by 30–40%
But each Christmas roast has different yields, bone weights, and moisture levels — so let’s break it down cut by cut.
🇦🇺 Beef Rib Eye Roast — How Much to Buy?
Recommended: 250–300g raw weight per person
Example: A 1.5kg Rib Eye Roast feeds 5–6 people
Beef rib eye is boneless and has great marbling, so you get a high yield (more edible meat).
Choose this size if:
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You have beef lovers
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You’re pairing with a second meat (pork, turkey, ham)
Pork Roasts — Leg, Loin, Shoulder or Rack
Boneless Leg of Pork
Recommended: 300g raw per person
Example: A 1.5kg piece feeds 5 people
A leaner cut but perfect if you want traditional roast pork and crackling.
Loin of Pork (Rind On)
Recommended: 300g raw per person
Example: A 1.5kg loin feeds 5 people
Very high yield and exceptional crackling.
Rolled Shoulder (Boneless Rind On)
Recommended: 300–350g raw per person
Example: A 2kg shoulder feeds 6 people
Shoulder shrinks more due to slow roasting, so allowance matters.
Rack of Pork
Recommended: 1 rib per person
Typical rack: 4 ribs feeds 4 people, 6 ribs feeds 6 people
Turkey — Rolled, Stuffed or Whole
Rolled Turkey Breast (Boneless)
Recommended: 250–300g raw per person
Example: 1kg feeds 3–4 people
Very high yield because it’s boneless and lean.
Stuffed Turkey Breast (Sweet or Savoury)
Recommended: 300g raw per person
Example: 1.2–1.4kg feeds 4 people
Stuffing adds weight but also moisture retention — great for entertaining.
Full Whole Turkey
Recommended: 450–500g raw weight per person
Example:
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4kg turkey feeds 8 people
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5kg turkey feeds 10 people
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6kg turkey feeds 12 people
Whole turkeys have bone weight, so allowance is important.
Ham — Whole, Half, or Boneless
Ham on the Bone (Whole or Half)
Recommended: 350–450g raw per person
Example: A 7kg whole ham feeds 14–20 people
Bone weight is significant but the flavour and moisture are unmatched.
Boneless Leg Ham
Recommended: 250–300g raw per person
Example: A 2kg boneless ham feeds 6–8 people
Great for smaller families or easy carving.
Whole Organic Chicken
Recommended: 450g raw per person
Example: A 2kg chicken feeds 4 people
A perfect smaller Christmas Day option.
Quick Christmas Serving Chart
| Meat | Recommended per person | Average Weight | Feeds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beef Rib Eye | 250–300g | 1.5kg | 5–6 |
| Pork Loin / Leg | 300g | 1.5kg | 5 |
| Pork Shoulder | 300–350g | 2kg | 6 |
| Rack of Pork | 1 rib | 4–6 ribs | 4–6 |
| Rolled Turkey Breast | 250–300g | 1kg | 3–4 |
| Stuffed Turkey Breast | 300g | 1.2–1.4kg | 4 |
| Whole Turkey | 450–500g | 4–6kg | 8–12 |
| Ham on the Bone | 350–450g | 6–8kg | 12–18 |
| Boneless Ham | 250–300g | 2kg | 6–8 |
| Organic Chicken | 450g | 2kg | 4 |
Should You Increase Portions?
Increase if:
✔ Your family loves leftovers
✔ You’re only serving one main meat
✔ You have big eaters
✔ You plan to use the leftovers for Boxing Day (ham, pork, chicken)
Reduce portions if:
✔ You’re serving multiple meats
✔ You have lots of hearty sides
✔ You’re hosting a lunch, not dinner
Ready to Order Your Christmas Roast?
Secure your Christmas meats early — premium cuts sell out fast.
Shop the full Christmas range here:
https://rendinasbutchery.com.au/collections/christmas
