Standard Rules You Should Follow
When you’re planning a meal for a bunch of people, one of the first things you gotta figure out is how much food to give everyone. This is especially true for something like prime rib, which is both a treat and a statement. Most people say a normal serving of that meat is about half a pound a person.
But this can change depending on a few things. Whether it’s a fancy sit-down dinner where the main course is a big deal or a buffet where people grab different foods. If it’s sit-down, you may wanna give bigger portions. But if it’s a buffet, smaller servings are probably smarter since guests will be tasting everything.
Also, think about what other foods you’re serving. If there are tons of heavy sides, you can cut back on the meat a bit. And the cut matters too – is it bone-in or boneless? The bone-in looks nicer, but there’s less meat on it. So, if you go bone-in, you gotta account for the weight of the bones when buying the meat.
The number of people eating also changes what recipe you use. Here’s a rundown of some options and which to pick depending on guest count.
| Number of Guests | Size of Prime Rib (lbs) | Recommended Recipe |
|---|---|---|
| 5-10 | 5-7 | Classic Roasted Prime Rib |
| 11-20 | 8-10 | Herb-Crusted Prime Rib |
| 21-30 | 11-15 | Garlic and Rosemary Prime Rib |
| 31-40 | 16-20 | Peppercorn and Thyme Prime Rib |
| 41-50 | 21-25 | Mustard and Horseradish Prime Rib |
| 51-60 | 26-30 | Smoked Prime Rib with Spicy Rub |
| 61-70 | 31-35 | Balsamic Glazed Prime Rib |
| 71-80 | 36-40 | Red Wine Marinated Prime Rib |
| 81-90 | 41-45 | Prime Rib with Mushroom Sauce |
| 91-100+ | 46+ | Prime Rib with Au Jus and Creamy Horseradish |
How to Ensure the Right Amount?
The rule of thumb is half a pound of food per person at your party. But that all depends on who’s coming, right? You gotta think about if you’re having kids or guests with baby appetites there.
Kids? Give them a quarter to a third of a pound each. Trust me, that’ll fill them up. The same goes for guests watching their weight. Go a little lighter on their plate so nothing goes to waste, but they still feel full.
And another thing – how long is this shindig? The longer it goes, the more grub you’ll need cause people will go back for seconds. Or is it more of a mingling deal where everyone’s grazing all night? Then bulk up the spreads a hair so they can nibble all evening.
Small Gatherings (5-20 People)
Whether you’ve got 5, 10, 15, or 20 people coming over, figuring out how much prime rib to buy ain’t easy.
First thing – think about what people usually eat. Most people will fill their plate with about half a pound of meat. But, if it’s just a few people you know real well, you gotta think about who’s a big eater and who isn’t.
If your family is coming over and you know your uncle eats twice as much as your cousin, plan the portions accordingly. Kids and light eaters might only want a quarter of a pound of rib.
Now, on the other hand, if your friends are known for always getting second helpings, you better give them three-quarters of a pound a person, or they’ll be hungry later.
For example, say you’ve got 10 people coming over, and it’s a mix of big and small eaters. Figure on half a pound for each of the 7 adults. But the 3 kids will probably just want a quarter pound each.
So that’s 3.5 pounds for the adults and 0.75 pounds for the kids. Add it all up, and it’s 4.25 pounds of rib. But to be safe, just buy a 5-pounder – that way, if anyone wants more you’ve got enough.
Medium-Sized Events (21-50 People)
For medium-sized parties like neighborhood get-togethers or bigger family bashes, figuring out how much prime rib to buy gets a little more complicated. Don’t get me wrong – wanting enough steak for everyone is still key. But you also gotta make sure you have some other grub around to fill people up, too.
In those situations, sticking close to the half-pound of beef per person rule is a safe bet. Still, for this party, you will also be mindful of who’s coming. If it’s a mix of kids and adults with different appetites, you gotta get creative with your math.
For example, if about 40 people are supposed to come, the base number would be 20 pounds of meat. But do yourself a favor and add at least 10-15% more just in case people want seconds or some have bigger stomachs than others.
Oh, and one more thing – don’t forget about the sides and other courses. If there’s gonna be a bunch of extra food around, you can probably get away with scaling back the steak a tad. Not only will it save you some dough, but the variety will keep everyone from getting bored of just meat.
Large Gatherings (51-100+ People)
Organizing a big party like a wedding or work dinner is a real pain, especially when it comes to the main dish. You gotta have a plan for feeding everyone, keeping it fast, and making sure everyone’s happy – even the picky eaters.
For a huge crowd, your best bet is the half-pound of meat per person rule. But since people can eat a lot, you better add some extra – like at least half as much again! A group of 100? Start with 50 pounds and add another 10-15 pounds to be safe.
But get real – with a million different diets, you gotta pad the numbers even more. Go 20-25% over just to make sure Sue down the street doesn’t start whining about being hungry. These big parties always bring out all the weirdo eaters.
Now, the main dish is probably that fancy prime rib. But if you don’t have options for vegetarians or other special snowflakes, they’ll never shut up about it. Trust me, it’s not worth the headache. Have some substitutes ready, so they leave you alone! It’ll also help control how much prime rib gets devoured, so maybe you can save a bit of dough.
What About Side Dishes?
If you want to reduce portion sizes of ribs, you gotta load up on the sides. Potatoes, veggies, casseroles – the heavier, the better. Go real hearty, so no one even notices you cut back on the prime rib.
And it ain’t just cheaper, though lord knows we could all use a few extra bucks in our pockets. It’s about flavor, too. All those sides mean your guests get more tastes in their mouths than just meat alone. They’ll thank ya for the variety, I guarantee it.
Now, I know some of you think guests will riot if they don’t get their full half-pound of beef. But you just serve up a good two or three helpings of sides with each portion and watch – no one will bat an eye at a quarter pound or less of meat. Trust me, after potatoes and such, they’ll be so full the extra meat would just be a waste.
And the best part? You can get creative with those sides too, just like with any other recipe.
Now some classics that always work – horseradish, Yorkshire pudding, green beans. But don’t stop there! How about quinoa, grilled asparagus, or a beet and cheese salad for something fresh? Color and crunch are just as filling as carbs if you ask me. And it makes the vegetarians in the crowd happy, too.
| Side Dish Category | Popular Choice for Prime Rib | Alternative Options |
|---|---|---|
| Starchy Sides | Yorkshire Pudding | Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Roasted Rosemary Potatoes, Baked Sweet Potatoes |
| Vegetable Sides | Green Beans Almondine | Glazed Carrots, Creamed Spinach, Roasted Brussels Sprouts |
| Salads | Wedge Salad | Arugula and Pear Salad, Classic Caesar Salad, Beet and Goat Cheese Salad |
| Sauces | Creamy Horseradish Sauce | Red Wine Jus, Bearnaise Sauce, Mushroom Gravy |
| Breads | Artisan Rolls | Sourdough Bread, Garlic Knots, Herb Focaccia |
The Bottom Line
Adjusting portion sizes based on the type of event and the guests’ preferences, as well as choosing the right recipe and side dishes, can significantly enhance the overall enjoyment of the meal. Also, being prepared for different cooking preferences and having plans for leftovers ensures that your efforts in hosting are both efficient and appreciated.