How much BBQ per guest?
A simple guide for hosts in Nairobi: how much meat to plan for each guest, and how to avoid running short.
The short answer
For a meal where BBQ is the main dish, plan about 300 to 350 g of cooked meat per adult when you serve one or two meats. Plan a little less, about 250 g, when guests also get sides like wedges and salad and several meats to share. For bone-in meat such as ribs, plan more by weight, because the bone weighs a lot.
Adjust for your guests
Plan more if guests are hungry teenagers, if the event runs late, or if the BBQ is the only food. Plan less for a short cocktail event with snacks. Kids usually eat about half a portion.
Mix the meats
A mix feels generous even when the total is the same. Chicken is the safe base. Add pork spare ribs for the crowd-pleaser. Add beef ribs or brisket for the ones who like rich, deep flavour.
A quick example
For 30 adults, plan roughly 9 kg of cooked meat as the main dish. That is a combination such as chicken, pork spare ribs and beef brisket, plus wedges and salad. Tell us your guest count and we plan the portions for you in your quote.
Plan with us
Our packages start at KSh 1,500 per guest for 20 guests or more, and we plan the quantities to your numbers. Under 20? Order a share box at KSh 3,800, about 1.2 kg for two or three people.
Questions people ask
How much cooked meat per person for a BBQ?
About 300 to 350 g per adult when BBQ is the main dish, or about 250 g when there are many sides and several meats.
How much do ribs weigh per person?
Plan 300 to 500 g of ribs on the bone per person, because the bone is part of the weight.
Do kids eat less?
Usually about half a portion.
How do I avoid running out?
Tell your caterer your guest count and how long the event runs, then add a small buffer of about 10 percent.
You bring the people. We'll bring the BBQ.
Tell us the date, the guest count and the venue. We reply in the shortest time possible after receiving your request.