The day of Thanksgiving may be getting more stressful, and a lot of it may be because of the turkey. One of the most important things to think about when planning a Thanksgiving meal for your family is how much turkey to make for each person. Get the right-sized turkey for your group before you decide whether to use a wet or dry brine and whether to stuff the bird or serve the dressing on the side.
It can be hard to keep up with cooking a turkey, but that doesn’t mean your holiday feast has to be less fun.
If the turkey is making you crazy, don’t worry! Here’s what you need to know about the big bird this year when cooking Thanksgiving dinner.
As Thanksgiving approaches one of the most common questions is how big of a turkey to buy. Specifically how many people can an 18 lb turkey feed? The answer depends on a few factors.
Calculating Turkey Portions
The general guideline is to plan for 1-1.5 lbs of turkey per person. However, this number can vary based on:
- Ages of guests – Children and seniors often eat smaller portions
- Appetites of guests – Big eaters may want larger portions
- Number of side dishes – More sides reduces turkey portions needed
- Leftovers desired – Plan for extra if wanting leftovers
For a group with average appetites and normal side dishes, an 18 lb turkey will feed about 12-18 people.
Here’s a more detailed breakdown
- 12 adults – With 1 lb per adult, an 18 lb turkey will feed 12 people.
- 12 adults + 6 kids – With 1 lb per adult and 0.5 lb per child, an 18 lb turkey will feed 18 people.
- 14 adults who are big eaters – With 1.5 lbs per adult, an 18 lb turkey will feed 12 people.
The chart below summarizes the number of people different turkey sizes can feed.
| Turkey Size | People Fed |
|---|---|
| 12 lbs | 8-12 |
| 14 lbs | 10-14 |
| 16 lbs | 12-16 |
| 18 lbs | 12-18 |
| 20 lbs | 14-20 |
Buying the Right Size Bird
When purchasing your turkey, err on the side of having extra. It’s always better to have leftover turkey than not enough.
For a group of 12-18, buying an 18-20 lb turkey is recommended. This allows for generous portions and leftovers.
Turkeys smaller than 12 lbs are not ideal for groups, since they have a lower meat-to-bone ratio. The extra 2-4 lbs beyond what’s needed gives a buffer in case appetites are heartier than expected.
If possible, buy two smaller turkeys rather than one giant bird. Two 12-14 lb turkeys may cook more evenly than one 20+ lb turkey.
Cooking Tips
To yield enough cooked turkey meat, be sure to properly thaw, prep, and cook the bird.
- Thaw in the refrigerator 1 day for every 4 lbs. An 18 lb turkey needs over 4 days to thaw. Never thaw on the counter.
- Remove giblets from cavities before cooking. Reserve for gravy or stock.
- Cook at 325°F until the thigh meat reaches 165°F. The general rule is 15 min per lb, so an 18 lb turkey needs 4.5 hours.
Using a meat thermometer ensures the turkey reaches a safe internal temperature. Let the turkey rest 20 minutes before carving for juicy results.
With proper planning and preparation, an 18 lb turkey can comfortably feed 12-18 people with delightful leftovers to enjoy. Wishing you a very happy Thanksgiving!
How much turkey per person for leftovers?
It makes us just as happy to eat Thanksgiving leftovers over the weekend as it does to eat the big meal on Thanksgiving Day. “Noguchi says, ‘I love leftovers.’ To get the most leftovers, raise the raw poundage per person to 1½ to two pounds.
How many people will a 12-lb. turkey feed?
One person can eat about 1½ pounds of turkey meat, so a 12-pound turkey will feed eight people.
How many people will a 15 pound turkey feed?
FAQ
How many people will a 20 lb turkey feed?
How many people does an 18lb turkey serve?
How long does it take to cook an 18 pound turkey?
|
Turkey Weight
|
Servings
|
Cooking Time
|
|
15 to 18 lb
|
10 to 12
|
3 1/4 to 4 hours
|
|
18 to 20 lb
|
12 to 14
|
4 to 4 1/4 hours
|
|
20 to 22 lb
|
14 to 16
|
4 1/4 to 4 3/4 hours
|
|
23 to 24 lb
|
16 to 20
|
5 to 5 1/4 hours
|
How big of a turkey do I need for 7 adults?
How many people can a 8 pound turkey serve?
Most turkey portion serving sizing charts are based using a bone-in turkey. A chart might say 1 to 1.5 pounds of purchased turkey per person, so an 8-pound turkey is allegedly perfect for 6-8 people. I say NO! Initially, the bone removes some of that weight. Secondly, the weight becomes further reduced during cooking.
How much Turkey do you need for a Thanksgiving party?
To keep you from crunching the numbers, here’s a general guideline of how much turkey to make, depending on your party size (assuming 1½ pounds per person). For six guests, a nine-pound turkey will suffice. For eight guests, buy a turkey that weighs about 12 pounds. For 10 guests, you want a bird that is at least 15 pounds.
How much Turkey Tetrazzini should a family eat?
But if leftovers like late-night turkey sandwiches and turkey tetrazzini are as traditional as the feast itself, plan for two to three pounds per person total. Smaller gatherings don’t necessarily mean smaller turkeys because the meat-to-bone ratio is typically less for birds under 12 pounds. If in doubt, always go bigger at two pounds per person.
What size Turkey should I buy?
The happiest holiday memories are often made around the Thanksgiving table, with the turkey being the ultimate centerpiece! Thankfully (pun intended!), this chart will help you decide what size turkey to buy based on guest count. The general rule of thumb is one pound of turkey per adult and a half pound per child.
How many lb Perdue turkeys do I Need?
All the little things we do to raise happy and healthy turkeys adds up to a superior product, the smartest choice for those who care about the food they feed their families. Perdue’s PREMIUM whole turkeys are: Delivered to your door! 10-16 LBS. — ADD TO CART 16-20 LBS. — ADD TO CART TURKEY DO I NEED?
Should I get more than one Turkey for a Thanksgiving meal?
If the result is larger than 15 or 20 pounds, then consider getting more than one turkey for the meal. For example, let’s calculate the right amount of turkey for 10 adults and 8 children. Don’t forget to allow time for safe thawing and proper cooking time to ensure a holiday bird that’s tender, juicy, and delicious year after year.