How Much Roast Beef to Serve for 200 People

Planning to host 200 people and want to serve roast beef as the main dish? Figuring out how much roast beef to buy and cook for a large crowd can be tricky. Here are some tips and guidelines to help you determine the right amount of roast beef you’ll need to purchase, prepare, and serve to adequately feed 200 guests.

Calculate How Much Roast Beef per Person

When catering for a large group, a good rule of thumb is to plan on serving 1/2 pound of boneless roast beef per person For a crowd of 200, that equals

• 200 guests
• 1/2 pound roast beef per guest
• Total roast beef needed: 200 * 1/2 pound = 100 pounds

So for 200 people, you’ll want to buy around 100 pounds of boneless roast beef

This 1/2 pound per person estimate allows for generous portions You can reduce it to 1/3 pound per person if you know you have light eaters in the group or want to serve smaller portions

Factor In Leftovers

It’s always smart to buy a little extra roast beef – about 10% more – to account for leftovers. For a group of 200, increase the total to 110 pounds (100 lbs + 10%). This gives you a buffer in case a roast cooks down more than expected or to allow for seconds.

Pick the Right Roast Size

Roast beef is often sold in 3-5 pound average size roasts. To hit your total of 110 pounds, you’ll need about 22 roasts (110 lbs / 5 lbs per roast = 22 roasts).

Select roasts similar in size to ensure even cooking. Plan to use large roasting pans or divide between multiple ovens so you can roast multiple roasts at once.

Allow for Boneless vs Bone-In

The 1/2 pound per person estimate is for boneless roast beef. If serving bone-in cuts like standing rib roasts, increase the amount by 20% to account for the bones.

For 200 people, instead of 100 pounds of boneless roast, you’d need 120 pounds of bone-in roast beef (100 lbs x 1.2 = 120 lbs).

Cook Extra for Leftovers

Don’t worry about having too many leftovers! Sliced roast beef makes fantastic sandwiches. You can also chop and use it in soups, stews, omelets, rice bowls and more. Any uneaten roasted meat will keep 3-4 days refrigerated.

Sample Serving Sizes

Here are some sample serving sizes for roast beef. These are approximate amounts, assuming 1/2 pound boneless roast per person:

• 4 oz slice = standard serving
• 6 oz slice = generous serving
• 8 oz slice = extra hungry guests!

Slice roasted beef across the grain in long, thin slices. This yields more slices per roast. Place on a platter with a little au jus for moistness.

Pair with Horseradish & Breads

Don’t forget the horseradish sauce, rolls, and gravy to round out the roast beef dinner!

• Allow 2-3 rolls per person. For 200 guests, buy 400-600 rolls.
• Prepare 2-3 quarts of horseradish sauce for dipping.
• Make 6-8 quarts of beef gravy to ladle over the sliced roast beef.

With ample roast beef and savory sides, you’ll have a mouthwatering feast for 200. Let the guests graze and enjoy!

Shop Smart to Save Money

When purchasing large quantities of roast beef, look for money-saving options:

• Check sales at warehouse stores like Costco or Sam’s Club. They often discount big cuts of meat.
• Ask your local butcher for a bulk rate on multiple roasts.
• Buying whole rib roasts and cutting them yourself can sometimes cost less per pound.

Time Your Cooking

Roasting 100+ pounds of meat takes advanced planning. Here are some tips:

• Roast day before and reheat gently in oven or slow cookers.
• Start roasting some roasts a day ahead. Cook remainder day-of.
• Recruit help! Roasting stations with multiple ovens makes lighter work.
• Allow 1-2 hours roast time per 5 pound roast at 325°F.

Keep Food Safety in Mind

Proper handling, cooking, cooling, and reheating of large quantities of roast beef is critical to prevent foodborne illness.

• Refrigerate roast beef immediately after purchasing.
• Thaw frozen roasts safely in fridge, not on counter.
• Use a meat thermometer to verify roasts reach 145°F internal temperature.
• Let roast beef cool completely, then refrigerate or freeze leftovers in shallow containers.
• Reheat leftover roast beef to 165°F. Bring gravy to a boil before serving.

Feeling hungry yet? A big, beautiful roasted beef tenderloin or rib roast makes a real centerpiece for a crowd. With smart planning and these roast beef estimates, you’ll be sure to have enough for 200 hearty appetites.

Summary

To serve 200 people:

• Plan on 1/2 pound boneless roast beef per person, so purchase 100 pounds total
• Buy 10% extra, 110 pounds, to allow for leftovers
• For bone-in roasts, increase amount by 20%, so get 120 pounds
• Roast in batches; allow 1-2 hours per 5 pound roast at 325°F
• Slice meat across the grain for serving
• Offer rolls, horseradish, gravy to accompany
• Refrigerate and reheat leftovers properly

With good calculations and preparation, you can feel confident you’ll have perfectly roasted beef for your hungry guests to enjoy!