Dining Guide / During the Meal
How to Eat a Meat Course
Cut meat one bite at a time from the left end and eat it while it’s warm. Use your knife and fork for bone-in meat, too.
Try what you’ve read in questions based on real dining situations. · 6 min
View the At the Table course
Key Points
- With the knife in your right hand and the fork in your left, cut one bite at a time, starting from the left end.
- Cutting everything up at the start lets the juices run out and the meat cool faster.
- For bone-in meat, run the knife along the bone to free the meat, then cut it one bite at a time.
- Gather any bones at the far side of the plate.
Do
- Cut only the bite you’re about to eat
- Enjoy the sides and sauce along with the meat
- Set your cutlery down when you talk
Avoid
- Cutting everything up at once
- Picking up the bone and gnawing at a formal meal
- Eating from your knife
Handy Tip
Keep each bite small enough to swallow quickly if someone speaks to you. Smaller cuts make conversation easier, too.
Customs That Vary
In the U.S., some people cut a few pieces, set the knife down and switch the fork to the right hand to eat. At casual meals, or when a finger bowl is provided, picking up bone-in meat may be acceptable.
Practice in a Lesson
- Fish and Meat — 6 min · Sign in to unlock
Read next
Sources
- Emily Post Institute, “Top Table Manners Tips” — Posture, napkins, utensils, soup and phones at the table.
- Emily Post Institute, “Online Course: Dining Etiquette” — Seating, courses, utensils, toasts and conversation in Western dining.