
Chicken drumsticks are a popular and inexpensive choice for meals, but how much edible meat is on a single drumstick? The answer depends on several factors, including the size of the drumstick and whether it is cooked or raw. On average, a raw chicken drumstick with skin weighs around 120g, with approximately 30-60g of meat (without skin). This means that bone makes up about 30% of the weight, and the amount of meat can vary depending on the size of the drumstick. When cooking chicken drumsticks, it's important to note that they retain moisture better when cooked with the skin on due to the fatty barrier, resulting in a weight reduction of around 25% for free-range chicken.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Average weight of one raw chicken drumstick with skin on | 120g/4.23oz |
Average weight of one raw chicken drumstick without skin | 90g-150g/3.17oz-5.29oz |
Average weight of meat in one cooked chicken drumstick | 30-60g/1.1-2.1oz |
Percentage of weight that is bone | 30% |
Percentage of weight that is meat | 16-19% |
Calories in one raw chicken drumstick with skin on | 167 kcal |
Recommended serving size | 100g (raw) |
Average cooked weight | 225g |
What You'll Learn
Drumsticks are mostly bone and skin, with 30-60g of meat
Chicken drumsticks are a popular choice for those seeking a budget-friendly, flavourful option. However, it's important to note that they are predominantly comprised of bone and skin, with only around 30-60g of meat per drumstick. This means that while they may seem like a good deal, you're paying for a lot of bone weight that isn't edible.
The weight of a chicken drumstick can vary, but on average, a raw drumstick with the skin on weighs around 120g. The weight can range from 90g for a smaller drumstick to up to 150g for a larger one. When cooked, a chicken drumstick typically loses about 25% of its original weight due to moisture loss during the cooking process. This means that a cooked drumstick will weigh less than a raw one, and the amount of edible meat will be even less than the raw weight suggests.
To get an accurate idea of how much meat is on a chicken drumstick, it's best to weigh the meat with the skin and bone removed. On average, a cooked chicken drumstick yields around 30-60g of meat. This amount will vary depending on the size of the drumstick, with larger drumsticks providing more meat.
When considering the value of chicken drumsticks, it's important to factor in the price per pound of meat. While they may be cheaper per pound than other cuts of chicken, such as the breast or whole chicken, the actual amount of edible meat you're getting is smaller due to the high proportion of bone and skin. This means that in terms of value for money, drumsticks may not be the best option if you're looking for a high yield of meat.
Despite the lower meat yield, chicken drumsticks have their advantages. They are very versatile and can be cooked in a variety of ways, including braising, roasting, broiling, or simmering. They are also a good choice for those who want to add flavour to their dishes, as the fat in the drumsticks renders during cooking and bastes the meat, keeping it moist. Additionally, drumsticks are often sold with the skin on, which can add crispness and flavour when cooked.
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Bone makes up 30% of a drumstick's weight
Chicken drumsticks are predominantly made up of bone and skin, and the amount of edible meat is often less than expected. The bone of a chicken drumstick makes up about 30% of its weight. This means that if a chicken drumstick weighs 250 grams, only 175 grams of it is edible meat.
When tracking calories, it is important to note that most calorie tracker apps assume you are entering the weight of the meat only, without the bone. Therefore, if you weigh a chicken drumstick with the bone and enter the weight into the app, it will overestimate the calories, as it assumes the entire weight is meat. To get a more accurate calorie count, you can either subtract the weight of the bone after eating or create a custom recipe in the app that automatically accounts for the bone weight.
The weight of a chicken drumstick varies, with an average raw drumstick with skin weighing around 120 grams. The weight can range from 90 grams for a smaller drumstick to 150 grams for a larger one. The amount of meat on a drumstick depends on its size, with larger drumsticks yielding more meat. A cooked chicken drumstick typically yields 30 to 60 grams of meat without the skin.
It is worth noting that cooked chicken loses weight due to the cooking process, and the weight loss varies depending on the quality of the chicken and whether it contains added water. On average, a good quality free-range chicken drumstick with skin will reduce in weight by about 25% after cooking.
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Drumsticks are sold with skin on, increasing weight
Chicken drumsticks are typically sold with the skin on, and the weight of the skin can significantly impact the overall weight of the drumstick. The skin adds to the weight of the drumstick, and this can affect the perceived value and price of the product.
The weight of a chicken drumstick with the skin on can vary depending on the size of the chicken and the cut of the drumstick. On average, a raw chicken drumstick with skin weighs around 120 grams or 4.23 ounces. This weight can range from 90 grams or 3.17 ounces for a smaller drumstick to up to 150 grams or 5.29 ounces for a larger one.
The skin on a chicken drumstick can contribute to a significant portion of its weight. When purchasing chicken drumsticks, it's important to consider that a large proportion of the weight comes from the bone and the skin, rather than just the edible meat. The bone alone can account for about 30% of the total weight, and the skin adds additional weight.
When cooking chicken drumsticks, it's worth noting that they tend to retain more liquid and moisture due to the fatty barrier provided by the skin. As a result, chicken drumsticks with the skin on may lose around 25% of their original weight during the cooking process. This weight loss is generally lower than that of skinless and boneless chicken, which tends to dry out more during cooking.
The actual meat content of a cooked chicken drumstick, after removing the skin and bone, typically ranges from 30 to 60 grams or 1.1 to 2.1 ounces. The amount of meat can vary based on the size of the drumstick, with larger drumsticks yielding more meat. It's important to consider this when purchasing chicken drumsticks, especially if you are concerned about the amount of edible meat you will get.
In summary, chicken drumsticks sold with the skin on will have a higher overall weight, but a significant portion of that weight comes from the skin and bone rather than edible meat. The skin does contribute to moisture retention during cooking, but it's important to be aware of the actual meat yield when purchasing or consuming chicken drumsticks.
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Drumsticks are fattier than breasts, but fat renders during cooking
Chicken drumsticks are generally taken from the lower part of a chicken's leg, with the thigh removed. They are usually sold with the skin on, and a large proportion of the drumstick's weight is bone. The average weight of a raw chicken drumstick with the skin on is around 120g, and it contains 167 calories. The amount of meat on a chicken drumstick varies, but there is typically between 30 and 60 grams of meat on a cooked drumstick. The bigger the drumstick, the more meat there will be.
Chicken drumsticks are fattier than breasts, but the fat renders during cooking, basting the meat and keeping it moist. The skin of a chicken contains the highest fat content, followed by the wings, thighs, drumsticks, and then breasts, which are the leanest cut of chicken. The fat in the drumstick creates a fatty barrier that helps the meat retain moisture as it cooks.
Drumsticks are generally cooked with the bones and skin on, which means they retain more liquid than skinless and boneless chicken, which tends to dry out during cooking. Good quality free-range chicken drumsticks with the skin left on will reduce in weight by around 25% of their original weight when cooked.
When calculating the weight of chicken drumsticks for calorie-tracking purposes, it is important to account for the weight of the bone, as this is typically not eaten. Some apps allow users to create custom entries that subtract bone weight, usually assumed to be around 30% of the total weight.
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Drumsticks are economical, but a smaller percentage is edible
Chicken drumsticks are a popular and economical choice for those looking for a good deal on meat. While they can be a flavorful and budget-friendly option, it's important to note that a smaller percentage of the drumstick is actually edible meat. This is because a large proportion of the weight of a chicken drumstick comes from the bone and skin.
On average, a raw chicken drumstick with the skin on weighs around 120 grams or 4.23 ounces. However, the bone can account for about 30% of the weight, leaving only 70% as edible meat. This means that a single raw chicken drumstick may only yield 30 to 60 grams of meat, depending on its size. The bigger the drumstick, the more meat it will yield.
When it comes to cooked chicken drumsticks, the weight can vary depending on the cooking method and the quality of the chicken. On average, a cooked chicken drumstick may lose about 25% of its original weight due to the loss of moisture during the cooking process. This means that a cooked drumstick may yield even less meat than its raw counterpart.
Despite the smaller percentage of edible meat, chicken drumsticks can still be a great value. They are often sold in packs of multiple drumsticks and can be purchased fresh, frozen, cooked, or seasoned. Additionally, drumsticks are typically cheaper than other cuts of chicken, such as the breasts or whole chickens.
When considering the most meat for your money, it's important to look beyond the price per pound and consider the percentage of edible meat each cut offers. By calculating the adjusted price, which takes into account the edible percentage, you can make a more informed decision about which cuts of chicken provide the best value.
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Frequently asked questions
There is around 30-60g/1.1-2.1oz of meat on one chicken drumstick. This answer assumes that the chicken drumstick is cooked and the skin and bone have been removed. The amount of meat will vary depending on the size of the drumstick.
The average weight of one raw chicken drumstick with the skin on is around 120g/4.23oz. A chicken drumstick of this size contains 167 calories (in kcal).
Chicken drumsticks are predominantly made up of bone and skin. Bone on a chicken drumstick is about 30% of its weight. The amount of meat on a chicken drumstick is between 16-19% of its weight.
It is recommended that you allow 1/2 pound (225g) of chicken drumsticks per person.