How to Measure Meat on a Scale

Food scales help portion food accurately.

Exact meat portions enable cooks to use the correct amount of meat for a particular recipe. If you are following a food plan, you may have a specific amount of meat designated for a meal. Having the butcher or deli associate portion meat for you using a professional scale is the ideal way to measure meat but that is not always possible. A basic home food scale or digital scale can give you accurate measurements.

Things You'll Need

• Scale
• Wax paper
• Container for the meat, optional
• Rag
• Soap

Instructions

1. Place a sheet of wax paper over the surface of scale to protect against contamination. Be sure the scale is set to zero. If the meat will be measured in a container, set the empty container on the scale and weigh it. Record the weight of the container.

2. Add the meat to the container or place it directly on the wax paper. Record the value on the scale.

3. Subtract the weight of container, if used, from the total weight once the meat was added. The result is the weight of the meat.

4. Add or remove meat until the desired weight is reached. Subtract the weight of the container, if used, each time you weigh the portion.

5. Dispose of the wax paper and clean the surface of the scale using a rag dampened with hot ,soapy water.

Tips & Warnings

• If you are weighing the meat portion for purposes of a diet, weigh the meat after it is cooked, with any bone or fat removed. Generally, 4 oz. of raw meat will yield 3 oz. of cooked meat, due to water loss.

References

• State of Oregon Department of Agriculture: On the Other Side of the Scale
• Well Done Chef: Kitchen 101: How to Tare a Scale to Measure Your Ingredients in a Recipe