A Complete Guide to Choosing the Right Joint Size for Christmas & Beyond
One of the biggest questions customers ask us at Eversfield Organic during the festive season is:
“How big should my meat joint or turkey be to feed everyone?”
Whether you’re hosting a cosy Christmas for four or a full house of hungry guests, choosing the right size joint ensures everyone is satisfied — without mountains of leftovers or the fear of running out.
To help make planning stress-free, here’s our definitive guide to how much meat you need per person, and how that translates into the different sizes of joints we offer.
🍽️ General Rule of Thumb
For most roasts, the recommended amount is:
📌 200–250g (7–9oz) of meat per person for a boneless joint
📌 300–450g (10–16oz) per person for a bone-in joint
Bone, fat and trimming weight means bone-in joints require a larger size to produce the same cooked, ready-to-eat amount.
If you want leftovers for Boxing Day (and who doesn’t?), add an extra 20–30%.
🥩 How This Looks for Different Roasts
| Joint Type | Guests | Suggested Weight | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boneless Beef / Pork / Lamb | 4 people | 1–1.2kg | Easy to carve & good yield |
| 6 people | 1.5–1.8kg | Add extra if wanting leftovers | |
| Bone-In Beef Rib | 4 people | 2–2.5kg (2 ribs) | Impressive centrepiece |
| 8 people | 4–5kg (4 ribs) | Larger groups love this | |
| Lamb Leg (Bone-In) | 6 people | 2–2.5kg | Rich flavour & great for carving |
| Pork Shoulder (Bone-In) | 6–8 people | 3–4kg | Great for slow cooking or crackling lovers |
🦃 How Much Turkey Do You Need?
Christmas turkey sizing follows a slightly different scale:
| Turkey Size | Serves | Ideal For |
|---|---|---|
| 4–5kg | 6–8 people | Small families |
| 6–7kg | 8–10 people | Generous servings |
| 8–9kg | 12–14 people | Larger gatherings / leftovers guaranteed |
| 10kg+ | 16+ people | Big family feasts |
Tip: If you love Boxing Day sandwiches, Turkish stew or leftover platters, size up.
At Eversfield Organic, our turkeys are slow-grown, so meat is naturally denser and richer, meaning you need slightly less compared to industrially farmed birds — but leftovers are always worth having!
🫘 Planning for Dietary Mixes
If you’re hosting mixed eaters:
| Group Type | Meat Needed |
|---|---|
| Heavy meat eaters | +15–20% |
| Small children | Half adult portion |
| Lots of sides | -10–15% meat per person |
| Buffet-style dining | Boneless joint works best |
