⚖️ How Much Ground Beef Per Person for Burgers
SEO Guide Updated June 2026
The short answer: plan on about 1/3 pound (150g) of ground beef per adult for burgers. But appetite, patty size, kids, and whether you're serving sides all change the math. Here's the full breakdown — and a calculator that does it for you.
The quick answer
For a standard burger night, buy 1/3 lb (about 150g) of ground beef per adult. That's one generous patty or two smaller ones. Round up — running out is worse than leftovers.
- Light eaters / kids: 1/4 lb (115g)
- Normal appetite: 1/3 lb (150g)
- Big eaters / no big sides: 1/2 lb (225g)
How many burgers per pound?
One pound of ground beef makes about:
- 3 patties at 1/3 lb (standard)
- 4 patties at 1/4 lb
- 6–8 patties at 2 oz (sliders or smash)
Adjust for the details
Kids eat roughly 60% of an adult portion. Sides (fries, chips, slaw, corn) mean people eat fewer/smaller burgers, so you can lean toward the lower end. No sides or a teenage crowd? Lean high. Smash burgers are thin, so people often eat two or three.
Worked example
10 adults, normal appetite, 1/3 lb patties: 10 × 1/3 lb ≈ 3.5 lb of ground beef, giving about 10–11 patties. Add a small buffer and buy 4 lb. For exact numbers — including buns, cheese, toppings and cost — use the calculator below.
Let the calculator do it
Our Burger Party Calculator takes your guest count, appetite level, burger size and price per pound and gives you the exact beef, patties, buns, cheese, toppings, a copyable shopping list, and a cost estimate.
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Check price →As an affiliate site, I Love Hamburger may earn a commission from qualifying purchases. This does not affect our recommendations.
Frequently asked questions
How much ground beef per person for burgers?
About 1/3 pound (150g) per adult for a normal appetite. Use 1/4 lb for light eaters and kids, and up to 1/2 lb for big eaters or when you're not serving filling sides.
How much ground beef for 10 people?
Roughly 3.5–4 pounds for 10 adults with normal appetites and 1/3 lb patties. Round up to be safe. Our calculator gives an exact figure for your crowd.
How many burgers does 1 lb of ground beef make?
About three 1/3-lb patties, four 1/4-lb patties, or six to eight 2-oz slider/smash patties per pound.