How Big is 10 Ounces of Beef? A Guide to Visualizing Beef Serving Sizes

Beef is a nutritious and delicious addition to many meals. However it’s important to pay attention to portion sizes when eating beef, as going overboard on servings can lead to excess calories and saturated fat. So how much beef is the right amount? Let’s take a closer look at what 10 ounces of beef looks like visually.

Why Portion Size Matters for Beef

Beef contains important nutrients like protein, iron, zinc and B vitamins However, it also tends to be high in saturated fat and calories if consumed in large quantities. The recommended daily intake of red meat like beef is 3 to 4 ounces for women and 4 to 6 ounces for men, according to the American Heart Association.

Eating more than the recommended amount of red meat has been linked to increased risk of heart disease, stroke, diabetes and certain cancers. That’s why paying attention to portion size is key when incorporating beef into a healthy diet. Knowing what an appropriate single serving of beef looks like can help with proper portion control.

Visualizing a 10 Ounce Serving of Beef

So what does 10 ounces of raw beef look like exactly? Here are some common comparisons:

The palm of an average adult hand: Spreading out the fingers, the palm of an average hand is around 4 inches wide. This equates to roughly a 3 ounce serving size of meat. So 10 ounces would be over 3 palm-sized servings.
A deck of playing cards: The average deck of cards is about 3-4 ounces. So 10 ounces of beef would be 2.5-3 decks of playing cards.
A baseball: A standard baseball is around 5 ounces. Two baseballs lined up together represent 10 ounces of raw beef.
A can of tuna: Your standard 5 ounce can of tuna is half of 10 ounces. Double an average tuna can for a 10 ounce visual.
A smartphone: The average smartphone weighs 6-7 ounces. So 10 ounces of beef is roughly 1.5 times the weight of a phone.
A cup of water: One cup of water is 8 fluid ounces, so 10 ounces is a little over one cup of water.
A block of cheese: The standard 8 ounce block of cheese that you buy at the grocery store is slightly less than 10 ounces of beef.

What Does 10 Ounces of Cooked Beef Look Like?

When you cook beef, it loses moisture and shrinks in size. This means 10 ounces of raw beef will yield a smaller portion when cooked. Here’s what to expect:

A 10 ounce raw steak or roast will shrink to around 7-8 cooked ounces.
Ground beef patties will lose around 20% of their weight, with 10 raw ounces ending up around 8 cooked ounces.
For braised beef dishes like stews, a 10 ounce raw portion will cook down to about 6-7 ounces finished.

To summarize, if you start with a 10 ounce raw portion of steak, roast or ground beef, expect the cooked amount on your plate to be around 25-30% less.

Serving and Cooking Tips for 10 Ounces of Beef

Here are some tips to put 10 ounces of beef into action on your dinner plate:

Purchase a 10-12 ounce raw steak or roast and cook it whole. Portion out when plating.
Form 10-12 ounces of ground beef into patties for burgers. Make 2-3 patties.
Add 10 ounces of cubed stew meat to a beef stew recipe.
Skewer 10-12 ounces of beef tips or cubed meat for kabobs.
Slice 10-12 ounces of raw roast thinly across the grain for stir fries.
Include 8-10 ounces cooked beef as part of a salad entree. Think steak salad or taco salad.

When cooking beef, aim for an internal temperature of 145°F for medium rare to 160°F for well done. Let rest for 5 minutes after cooking. Adding marinades and rubs can add flavor without excess calories.

Healthy Ways to Round Out a 10 Ounce Beef Meal

Eating beef in combination with veggies, whole grains and other plant foods can make for a balanced, nutritious meal. Here are some healthy sides and serving ideas to complement 10 ounces of beef:

Baked potato, sweet potato or cauliflower mash
Roasted vegetables like broccoli, carrots, Brussels sprouts
Green salad with vinaigrette dressing
Quinoa, brown rice, farro or whole grain pasta
Roasted sweet potatoes or butternut squash
Sauteed greens like spinach, kale or swiss chard

Key Takeaways on 10 Ounces of Beef

Figuring out single serving sizes for beef can take some guess work. Next time you cook beef, use these visual comparisons to see what a 10 ounce raw portion looks like. Aim for a cooked amount around 25% less. Pair beef with vegetable sides and whole grains to round out the meal. Paying attention to portions can help make beef part of a healthy, balanced eating pattern.

10 ounces of raw beef is about the size of 2 baseballs or 2.5 decks of cards
After cooking a 10 ounce beef portion, expect around 7-8 ounces on the plate
Cook beef to at least 145°F and let rest 5 minutes before serving
Pair with vegetable sides and whole grains for balanced nutrition
Limit beef to recommended serving sizes of 3-6 ounces per day

Knowing what an appropriate serving of beef looks like makes it easier to incorporate this nutrient-rich food into your diet while keeping portions under control. With some simple visual comparisons and cooking tips in mind, enjoying beef in sensible serving sizes can be truly delicious and nutritious.

A Serving Size of Meat versus What You Get at a Steakhouse

FAQ

Is 10 oz of steak enough for 2 people?

When cooking something like steak, turkey or pork, where meat is the main dish of the meal and paired with a few side dishes, we recommend about 1/2 pound (eight ounces) per person, or up to 3/4 (12 ounces) pound for bigger appetites and those who love leftovers.

How big is a 12 oz steak?

A typical restaurant cut is a 1-inch thick, which will usually weigh between `6and 20 oz so a 12 oz might be three-quarters of an inch. Ideally, for myself, the thickness of a ribeye steak should be 2/2.5cm, around 1″, I like mine very rare, griddled enough for the fat to melt in the mouth.

What is a good size steak?

While 1 inch is a good starting point, the best steaks, especially when it comes to premium cuts like ribeyes and strips, are around 1.5 inches in thickness. With a 1.5-inch-thick steak, the steak’s center is better insulated compared to thinner steaks, allowing you to be much more precise when it comes to doneness.

How big is a 14oz steak?

Naturally, the smaller the steak size the thinner the steak, the larger the steak size the thicker the steak, so if you desire a thicker steak, select a larger steak size. Approximate thickness of our steaks: Striploin and Ribeyes – 10 oz. – ¾“, 12oz – 1”, 14oz – 1 ½”, 16oz – 1.5” and so on….

What does 1 oz of meat look like?

In this section, we will explore visual comparisons to help you understand what 1 oz of meat looks like. A standard 1 oz serving of meat is generally equivalent to the size of a small matchbox or the palm of your hand. To visualize this, imagine a slice of deli meat about the size of a slice of bread, or a single chicken tenderloin.

How much protein is there in 100 grams of lean beef?

For every 100g of lean meat, there is an average of 32g to 35g of protein, in addition we have 7g of lipids, 84mg of cholesterol and 4. 3g of saturated fat.

How big is one ounce of meat?

One ounce of meat is generally equivalent to the size of a deck of cards or the palm of your hand, excluding your fingers .

What is a 1 oz serving of meat?

A standard 1 oz serving of meat is generally equivalent to the size of a small matchbox or the palm of your hand. To visualize this, imagine a slice of deli meat about the size of a slice of bread, or a single chicken tenderloin. Additionally, a 1 oz portion of ground meat, such as beef or turkey, is roughly the size of a golf ball.