How Much Meat Per Person for a Braai?
The South African rule of thumb is 400–500 g of raw meat per adult. That is the baseline a butcher will give you, and it is the default in the Braai Cost Calculator. “Per adult” hides the useful part: which cuts, how many sides, and how the number changes at 20 or 50 people.
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The 400g rule, by cut
Not all "meat" is equal. Here's how that 400-500g splits across a typical multi-meat braai:
| Cut | Per adult (raw) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Boerewors | 200 g | The South African default. One 500g coil feeds about 2½ people. |
| Rump or sirloin steak | 250 g | Standard portion. Goes higher (300g) if it's the only meat. |
| Fillet steak | 200 g | Richer; smaller portion is fine. |
| Lamb loin chops | 100 g | Bone-in. Usually a "third meat" alongside wors and steak. |
| Lamb riblets | 150 g | More bone, more raw weight. |
| Chicken (boneless) | 150 g | Breasts or thighs. Stretch food. |
| Chicken (bone-in) | 200 g | Drumsticks, wings, extra bone weight. |
How much meat for 4, 8, 12, 20 or 50 people?
This is the table people actually need. It assumes a mixed braai: boerewors + rump + chicken. Totals are raw weight, what you put in the trolley.
| Guests | Boerewors | Rump steak | Chicken | Total raw meat |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (family) | 0.8 kg | 1.0 kg | 0.6 kg | ~2.4 kg |
| 8 (typical braai) | 1.6 kg | 2.0 kg | 1.2 kg | ~4.8 kg |
| 12 (group) | 2.4 kg | 3.0 kg | 1.8 kg | ~7.2 kg |
| 20 (party) | 4.0 kg | 5.0 kg | 3.0 kg | ~12 kg |
| 30 (club / 21st) | 6.0 kg | 7.5 kg | 4.5 kg | ~18 kg |
| 50 (event) | 10.0 kg | 12.5 kg | 7.5 kg | ~30 kg |
If you want lamb in the mix, add 100 g per person (0.8 kg of chops for 8) and trim 50 g off the steak. Two-meat braais (wors and chops only) should sit near 400 g per adult total, not 250 g, or you will run short.
How many kilograms of meat for 20 people?
Twenty adults is the number WhatsApp groups argue about. Use this:
- Mixed three-meat braai: about 12 kg raw (4 kg wors, 5 kg steak, 3 kg chicken).
- Wors and steak only: about 9–10 kg (4 kg wors, 5–6 kg steak).
- Wors only, with pap and salads: about 6 kg (300 g each).
- Lots of kids in the 20: count each child under 12 as half an adult, then buy to the new total.
Twelve kilograms sounds like a lot until you remember 20 people × 500 g is 10 kg before you add a buffer. The extra 2 kg is the “someone brought a friend” margin. At estimated Checkers prices from our November 2026 check, that mixed 20-person meat basket (4 kg wors, 5 kg rump, 3 kg chicken) is about R1,955 before sides and drinks.
When to go higher (or lower)
↑ Go higher (550-600g per person) when:
- It's an all-day braai starting at 11am.
- Your crowd is mostly adult men, especially rugby crowd.
- You're light on sides (no pap, no potato salad).
- You want leftovers (always a good move).
↓ Go lower (300-350g per person) when:
- You've got kids in the count, they eat half a portion at most.
- Heavy sides: pap and sous, potato salad, garlic bread.
- It's a starter-and-mains style braai with snacks beforehand.
- Vegetarian guests in the count (and check what they're bringing).
Don't forget about cooking shrinkage
Meat loses 20–25% of its weight on the fire. A 250 g raw rump becomes a ~190 g cooked steak.
Every number on this page is raw weight, what you buy. If a butcher quotes cooked weight (sometimes with kebabs or pre-cooked chicken), add 25%.
| Raw | Approx. cooked | Feeds (as part of a mixed braai) |
|---|---|---|
| 200 g wors | ~155 g | 1 adult |
| 250 g rump | ~190 g | 1 adult |
| 1 kg chicken drumsticks | ~750 g | about 5 adults as a third meat |
| 4 kg wors (20 people) | ~3.1 kg | the wors share for 20 |
How sides change the maths
South African braais are meat-led, but sides matter. A heavy starch lineup (pap, potato salad, garlic bread, rolls) lets you go to the lower end of 400g. A "just salads" lineup means stay at 500g+ or you'll have hungry guests.
Use the braai shopping list to balance the ratios.
FAQ
How much meat for 8 people at a braai?
Around 4-4.8kg of raw meat: 1.6kg boerewors, 2kg steak, 1.2kg chicken if cooking three meats. Two-meat braai? Bump the wors and steak slightly.
How much boerewors per person?
200g. Always 200g. If wors is your only meat, push to 300g. Full boerewors guide here.
What about kids?
Count children under 12 as "half a person" for meat purposes. Two kids = one adult portion is a safe rule.
Do you really need three meats?
No. Many South African braais are just wors and chops, or wors and chicken. Three meats is a “we’re hosting” move. The calculator lets you pick exactly what you want.
What about halaal or no-pork guests?
Most supermarket boerewors is beef-and-pork. If anyone at the table is halaal, or simply does not eat pork, buy a beef-only or certified halaal wors and keep it on a separate part of the grid. Chicken and lamb are the easy swap. Do not guess; ask before you shop.