Calculating How Much Prime Rib per Person for Your Next Dinner Party
If you’re planning a dinner party, one of the most important factors to consider is how much food you need to prepare. Specifically, if you’re considering serving prime rib, you’ll need to know how much you need per person to ensure that everyone is well-fed.
Determining the right amount of prime rib to serve depends on a few factors, including how many guests you’ll be hosting and how hungry they tend to be. Let’s look at some guidelines you can follow to arrive at the right amount of prime rib for your upcoming dinner party.
Factor in Appetizers and Sides
Assuming you’ll be serving appetizers and sides alongside the prime rib (and why wouldn’t you?), it’s essential to factor these into your calculations.
As a general rule of thumb, you should plan to serve about eight ounces of prime rib per person. If you’re hosting a small dinner party of four to six people, simply multiply each person’s serving size by their number.
So, for example, if you’re hosting a party of six, you’ll need to purchase at least three pounds to ensure everyone gets an adequate serving. Be sure to add in any additional sides and appetizers that you plan to serve.
Consider the Cut and Bone-In vs. Boneless
Another factor to consider when calculating how much prime rib per person is the cut of meat you’ll be serving. A standing rib roast is the most common choice, but you could also opt for a boneless roast.
Boneless prime rib generally requires less cook time and can be more convenient to serve, as there’s no need to carve around a bone. However, bone-in prime rib tends to be more flavorful and is often considered the “premium” choice for this cut of meat.
If you’re serving bone-in prime rib, you’ll need to factor in the weight of the bone as well. For example, if you’re serving bone-in prime rib, you might want to plan for ten ounces per person (rather than eight) to account for the weight of the bone.
Don’t Forget Leftovers
Finally, it’s always a good idea to factor in leftovers when calculating how much prime rib to serve. If you’re hosting a smaller dinner party, you might only need to purchase a small roast.
However, if you’re hosting a larger event, consider purchasing a slightly larger roast so that you have enough leftover for sandwiches or other dishes in the days following your dinner party.
In summary, plan to serve about eight ounces of prime rib per person, factoring in any sides and appetizers you plan to serve. Consider the cut you’ll be serving (bone-in or boneless) and whether you’d like to have leftovers for sandwiches or other meals. With these guidelines in mind, you’ll be sure to have a perfectly portioned prime rib dinner party that all your guests will enjoy.
