Ina Garten’s Genius Hack for Perfect Portion Sizes Revealed

This proven technique is effective for both main dishes and side dishes.

The pressure from the festive season It's genuine, and Ina Garten is here to assist. Many of her recipes are ideal for various occasions, and she’s now sharing valuable tips with those preparing for their events. host friends and family in the coming weeks.

Garten utilized her Instagram account on December 14 to host an event. Ask Me Anything During an AMA session, she responded to numerous queries from her followers, covering various topics. helpful cooking tips for invaluable life guidance. At first glance, the Barefoot Contessa The host brought up a question regarding how she decides the quantity of food needed for an event, be it a holiday get-together or some other social gathering. "Since I used to work as a caterer, figuring out the amount of food required for groups ranging from 20 to 100 or even 200 individuals was something I constantly had to do," she shared, recalling her time running a specialty foods shop in Westhampton, New York, where party catering was a regular occurrence.

Related: Ina Garten Claims This Is the Sole Egg Variety You Should Use for Baking

Considering her background in catering, it’s not surprising that Garten managed to develop a precise method for determining the quantity of food needed for big gatherings, one she continues to employ today. "The general guideline I typically follow is to plan for main course , half a pound per individual, and a quarter of a pound per individual for the side dishes She mentioned, 'That generally turned out quite well.'

In other words, if you're preparing a dinner for 10 people during the holidays, according to Garten's formula, you should plan for around five pounds of meat as the centerpiece (whether it be turkey , steak , like a turkey, ham, or a roast) and around 2.5 pounds for side dishes, such as mashed potatoes or roasted veggies. The choice of main dish (along with how many side options you include) is entirely up to your preference.

Although this quantity of food ought to suffice for you and your team, Garten recognized that the anxiety about lacking sufficient provisions on your festive spread is understandable. "Personally, I'd multiply it by two to ensure ample servings," she quipped. "But no, I'm definitely not advising you take my personal approach!" Nonetheless, tucking in a little surplus victuals—or perhaps another vegetable dish or green mix—wouldn't be amiss as a precautionary measure. In the eventuality of excess, rest assured you’ll end up with delectable remnants. leftovers to enjoy.

Related: Why Ina Garten Never Takes Wine or Flowers When Visiting as a Guest—and Her Go-to Alternative Gift Instead

When hosting a large gathering, Garten mentioned that she prefers to keep things simple yet delightful by relying on an old favorite dish that everyone loves. She explained, "There’s this particular menu I always prepare; I refer to it as 'The Getting-to-Know-You Menu.'" This menu originates from Barefoot Contessa Parties She mentioned, highlighting her cookbook containing the recipes for these favorite meals. "It includes a rack of lamb along with orzo and roasted veggies."

Garten suggests that these three recipes are ideal for multiple reasons. She explained, "I could whip them up even when half-asleep, they taste fantastic, and they’re incredibly simple to cook."

Related: Avoid Getting Crumbs in Your Frosting with Ina Garten's Clever Trick for Decorating a Cake

If you're seeking additional recipes and guidance from the renowned Food Network personality, good news: you won't have to wait very long. In a later part of the AMA, Garten shared that her upcoming cookbook is set to hit shelves in Fall 2026.

Read the initial article on Real Simple