How Much Brisket Per Person: Serving Size Guide

Brisket is one of the most beloved cuts of beef in the world of barbecue and holiday dinners. From slow-smoked Texas brisket to oven-braised family meals, it’s the kind of dish that turns an ordinary gathering into a celebration. Yet, there’s one question that every cook eventually asks: how much brisket per person is enough?

This is a crucial decision because brisket behaves differently from other meats. Unlike chicken or pork chops, brisket shrinks significantly during cooking, losing both fat and moisture. A raw brisket can lose up to 50% of its weight by the time it’s fully cooked. That means what looks like a huge cut of meat in the butcher’s case may not be enough to satisfy a hungry crowd if you don’t plan correctly.

In this article, you’ll learn how much raw brisket per person you need, how much cooked brisket per person to serve, and how to adjust serving sizes depending on whether you’re feeding a family, hosting a BBQ cookout, or catering a wedding with 100 guests. You’ll also find charts, calculators, and examples to guide you. By the end, you’ll know exactly how many pounds of brisket per person to prepare so no one leaves your table hungry.

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Brisket Serving Size Per Person: The Golden Rule

When planning brisket, most pitmasters and caterers follow a simple golden rule:

• 1 pound of raw brisket per adult = about ½ pound of cooked brisket.

This accounts for trimming off excess fat before cooking and for shrinkage during the cooking process. Children or light eaters typically eat less, while big eaters or brisket lovers may eat more.

For example:

• A family of 4 adults → 4 pounds raw brisket → 2 pounds cooked → ½ pound each.

• A BBQ for 20 guests → 20 pounds raw brisket → 10 pounds cooked.

This brisket serving size per person works in most scenarios, but you can adjust depending on the sides and the style of meal.

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How Many Pounds of Brisket Per Person?

The most common question people ask is how many pounds of brisket per person to buy? The answer depends on whether you’re calculating before or after cooking.

• Raw brisket per person: 1 pound

• Cooked brisket per person: ½ pound

This means that if you’re planning a dinner for 12 adults, you’ll need 12 pounds raw brisket, which will shrink to about 6 pounds cooked brisket, enough for everyone to have half a pound each.

If you’re serving children, reduce the portion to about ½ pound raw per child, which becomes a quarter pound cooked brisket.

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How Much Cooked Brisket Per Person?

Cooking methods affect yield. A brisket smoked “low and slow” may lose more weight than one braised in liquid. Here’s what you can expect:

• Smoked brisket: 30–40% shrinkage

• Oven roasted brisket: 40–50% shrinkage

• Braised brisket: 20–30% shrinkage

So, if you start with a 10-pound raw brisket, you may end up with anywhere from 5 to 7 pounds of cooked brisket depending on the cooking method.

That’s why the most reliable way to estimate is to plan 1 pound raw per person, because it covers trimming and shrinkage no matter which cooking method you choose.

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Brisket Per Person Calculator (With Examples)

Sometimes rules of thumb aren’t enough. That’s where a brisket per person calculator comes in handy. Let’s look at a few scenarios:

1: Family Dinner (6 Adults, 2 Kids)

• Adults: 6 × 1 lb raw = 6 lb

• Kids: 2 × 0.5 lb raw = 1 lb

• Total raw brisket needed = 7 lb (yields ~3.5 lb cooked)

2: Party (20 Adults)

• Adults: 20 × 1 lb raw = 20 lb

• Total raw brisket = 20 lb (yields ~10 lb cooked)

3: Large Event (50 Guests)

• Adults: 50 × 1 lb raw = 50 lb

• Total raw brisket = 50 lb (yields ~25 lb cooked)

4: Wedding (100 Guests)

• Adults: 100 × 1 lb raw = 100 lb

• Total raw brisket = 100 lb (yields ~50 lb cooked)

This brisket per person calculator online or offline makes planning simple. Always round up to ensure there’s enough.

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How Much Raw Brisket Per Person Before Cooking?

Before you even think about cooking, brisket requires trimming. The fat cap on a whole brisket can be thick, and while fat helps with flavor, too much prevents smoke or seasoning from penetrating the meat. Most pitmasters trim brisket down, removing about 10% of the weight.

So, if you buy a 15-pound whole packer brisket, expect to trim off about 1.5 pounds before cooking, leaving 13.5 pounds to cook, which will shrink to around 7 pounds cooked. That’s enough for 14 guests at ½ pound each.

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How Many Ounces of Brisket Per Person?

Not everyone thinks in pounds. If you prefer ounces:

• Raw brisket per person = 16 oz (1 pound)

• Cooked brisket per person = 8 oz (½ pound)

For children, 4 ounces of cooked brisket is usually enough, especially if you’re serving plenty of sides.

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How Much Brisket Per Person for BBQ, Parties & Weddings

Backyard BBQ

For a casual BBQ where brisket is the star of the show, plan ½ pound cooked brisket per adult. Add more if you know your guests love meat.

Party with Sides

If you’re serving brisket with plenty of sides (mac & cheese, potato salad, corn, beans), you can reduce the portion slightly to about ⅓ pound cooked brisket per adult.

Weddings & Catering

At weddings or catered events, caterers typically plan ½ pound cooked brisket per adult. Since guests expect variety, sides will fill out the meal, but it’s safer to lean on the higher side so no one goes home hungry.

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How Much Brisket Per Person for Catering Events (50–100+ Guests)

When catering, precision matters. Here’s a breakdown:

• Brisket per person for 50 guests: 50 pounds raw (25 pounds cooked)

• Brisket per person for 100 guests: 100 pounds raw (50 pounds cooked)

Professional caterers often add 10% more to cover unexpected appetites or extra servings. That means for 100 guests, they may prepare 110 pounds of raw brisket.

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How Much Brisket Per Person After Cooking With Sides

Sides make a huge difference. If you’re serving heavy sides like mashed potatoes, pasta, or casseroles, people will eat less brisket. In this case, ⅓ pound cooked brisket per adult is usually enough.

If brisket is served Texas-style—where meat is the centerpiece and sides are minimal—stick to ½ pound cooked brisket per person or even more for big eaters.

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How Much Brisket Per Person Texas Style

In Texas BBQ, brisket is king. A typical serving at a Texas smokehouse is ½ to ¾ pound cooked brisket per adult, plus sides like pickles, onions, and bread. If you want to replicate this style, plan on 1 to 1.5 pounds raw brisket per person to make sure portions are generous.

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Brisket Weight Per Person Before & After Cooking

Here’s a quick reference chart:

This brisket weight per person before cooking and after cooking helps you visualize shrinkage.

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Brisket Per Person Calculator Online vs Manual Rule

There are brisket per person calculator online tools, but you don’t really need one if you remember the golden rule: 1 pound raw = ½ pound cooked brisket per person. Use a calculator only if you’re planning very large events and want exact precision.

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Brisket Serving Size Per Person With Leftovers

It’s always wise to cook more than you think you’ll need. Leftover brisket is one of life’s greatest gifts. Plan at least 10–20% extra so you can use it later in:

• Brisket sandwiches

• Brisket tacos

• Brisket chili

• Brisket shepherd’s pie

If you want leftovers, plan on 1.25 pounds raw brisket per adult instead of 1 pound.

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How Much Brisket Per Person for Sandwiches & Holiday Dinners

For sandwiches, 4 ounces of cooked brisket per sandwich is plenty. If sandwiches are the main meal, you’ll need about 8 ounces cooked brisket per adult (1 pound raw).

For holiday dinners, when brisket is part of a large spread, reduce to ⅓ pound cooked brisket per adult because guests will fill up on multiple dishes.

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Brisket Per Person BBQ Cookout & Catering Portions

At BBQ cookouts, guests usually eat more because brisket is the star attraction. Expect ½ pound cooked brisket per adult at minimum. For catering, where servers can control portion sizes, you can safely estimate ⅓–½ pound cooked brisket per person.

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Best Brisket Serving Per Person Guide (Complete Chart)

Here’s a complete brisket per person chart for quick planning:

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Conclusion

So, how much brisket per person should you plan? The universal answer is: 1 pound raw brisket per adult, which yields about ½ pound cooked brisket. Adjust upward for Texas-style BBQs and hearty eaters, or downward if brisket is only one of many dishes. Always add an extra 10–20% to cover seconds and ensure leftovers.

By following this best brisket serving per person guide, you’ll never have to worry about running out—or wasting too much—brisket again. Whether it’s a family dinner, a wedding reception, or a BBQ for 100 guests, you’ll now have the confidence to serve the perfect portion every time.