Zucchini Yield: Trimmed, Sliced and Cooked per Pound
Zucchini loses very little in prep: a pound of whole zucchini gives about 0.96 lb of raw 1/4-inch slices, 0.95 lb of 3/4-inch cubes and 0.86 lb of cooked cubes (USDA Food Buying Guide). USDA’s nutrient database lists 5% as ends. Peeling changes that: Handbook 102 gives 82% for zucchini flesh without the skin.
USDA yields for zucchini
From the USDA Food Buying Guide: how much ready-to-use or cooked product one pound as purchased gives. The figures work the same in metric: 0.96 lb per pound is 0.96 kg per kilogram.
| As purchased (USDA description) | Result, as USDA states it | Yield | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Squash, summer, fresh; Zucchini, Whole | 1 lb AP = 0.96 lb (about 3-1/4 cups) ready-to-serve or -cook raw 1/4 inch zucchini slices (ready to use, raw) | 96% | FBG table |
| Squash, summer, fresh; Zucchini, Whole | 1 lb AP = 0.95 lb (about 3-1/8 cups) ready-to-serve or -cook raw 3/4 inch cubed zucchini (ready to use, raw) | 95% | FBG table |
| Squash, summer, fresh; Zucchini, Whole | 1 lb AP = 0.95 lb (about 2-7/8 cups) ready-to-serve or -cook raw (1/2 inch by 3 inch) squash sticks (ready to use, raw) | 95% | FBG table |
| Squash, summer, fresh; Zucchini, Whole | 1 lb AP = 0.86 lb cooked, 3/4 inch zucchini cubes (cooked) | 86% | FBG table |
USDA preparation yields for zucchini (Handbook 102)
From USDA Agriculture Handbook No. 102, Food Yields Summarized by Different Stages of Preparation (1975): the weight left after each step, as a percentage of the weight before it. Percentages work the same in pounds and kilograms.
| Before preparation (USDA description) | After preparation | Yield | Item, page |
|---|---|---|---|
| Squash, summer, zucchini, whole, raw | Flesh and skin, raw | 93% | No. 2446, p. 110 |
| Squash, summer, zucchini, whole, raw | Flesh, raw | 82% | No. 2448, p. 110 |
| Squash, summer, ready to cook (all samples) | Steamed | 88% | No. 2451, p. 110 |
| Squash, summer, ready to cook (all samples) | Boiled | 81% | No. 2452, p. 110 |
| Squash, summer, zucchini, frozen, sliced | Boiled | 73% | No. 2456, p. 110 |
How much is waste
USDA’s nutrient database (SR28, NDB 11477) lists 5% of “Squash, summer, zucchini, includes skin, raw” as refuse: ends.
How much to buy
At 96% (raw 1/4-inch slices):
| Ready to use | Buy as purchased |
|---|---|
| 1.00 lb (0.45 kg) | 1.04 lb (0.47 kg) |
| 5.00 lb (2.27 kg) | 5.21 lb (2.36 kg) |
| 10.0 lb (4.54 kg) | 10.4 lb (4.72 kg) |
| 25.0 lb (11.3 kg) | 26.0 lb (11.8 kg) |
Cost per usable pound
At 96%, the price as purchased becomes, per pound and per kilogram:
| Price as purchased | Cost per usable pound |
|---|---|
| $1.00/lb ($2.20/kg) | $1.04/lb ($2.30/kg) |
| $1.50/lb ($3.31/kg) | $1.56/lb ($3.44/kg) |
| $2.00/lb ($4.41/kg) | $2.08/lb ($4.59/kg) |
Example prices. Put yours in the food yield calculator.
Run your own numbers
Good to know
- The Food Buying Guide trims ends only (96% for slices); Handbook 102’s trimmed whole zucchini is a little lower at 93%.
FAQ
How much does zucchini lose when trimmed?
Very little: about 4–5% for the ends, per the USDA Food Buying Guide (0.96 lb of slices per pound) and nutrient database (5% refuse).
How much does zucchini shrink when cooked?
A pound of whole zucchini gives about 0.86 lb of cooked 3/4-inch cubes (Food Buying Guide). In Handbook 102, prepared summer squash kept 88% of its weight steamed and 81% boiled.
How much zucchini do I need for 10 lb sliced?
About 10.4 lb of whole zucchini (10 ÷ 0.96).
Sources
- USDA Food and Nutrition Service, Food Buying Guide for Child Nutrition Programs (yield tables; public domain)
- USDA Agricultural Research Service, Agriculture Handbook No. 102: Food Yields Summarized by Different Stages of Preparation (1975; public domain)
- USDA Agricultural Research Service, National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference, Release 28 (refuse)
USDA figures are averages; size, grade, trim, ripeness and cooking change them. Weigh your own main items before you cost a menu on them.
Last reviewed October 11, 2026.