How Many People Will a 20 lb Turkey Feed? A Complete Guide

As Thanksgiving inches closer, the day-of stress may be mounting — and much of it may come directly from the bird. If you’re hosting a Thanksgiving feast for your loved ones, one of the biggest questions youll ask yourself is how much turkey to make per person. Before choosing between a wet or dry brine and whether to stuff the bird or serve the dressing on the side, you need to buy the right size turkey for your crowd.

Cooking a turkey can feel overwhelming — no doubt — but it doesnt have to take away the joy of your festive feast. Once you buy the bird, weve got plenty of Thanksgiving turkey recipes to make your feast the best ever. From traditional wine- and butter-basted birds to a quick-cooking spatchcocked turkey, these delicious recipes will make everyone want to go back for seconds.

If the turkey is sending you into a tailspin, don’t panic! Here’s what you need to know about cooking Thanksgiving dinner this year when it comes to the big bird.

Planning a holiday meal and wondering how many people a 20 lb turkey will feed? Buying the right size turkey is tricky – you want enough so everyone gets a nice portion, plus a little extra for tasty leftovers. But you also don’t want to overbuy and waste food and money.

So how much will a 20 lb turkey actually feed? Here is a complete guide to help you figure out the perfect turkey size for your gathering.

Key Factors That Determine Turkey Servings

There are a few key factors that impact how many servings you’ll get from a 20 lb turkey

Number of guests – More people eating means more turkey needed Make a guest list to get an exact count,
Ages of guests – Kids and seniors often eat smaller portions than adult men.
Side dishes – The more side dishes, the less turkey people may eat.
Leftovers – Do you want leftovers? Buying extra allows for sandwiches, casseroles, soup, etc.
Shrinkage – Raw turkeys lose about 25% weight during cooking due to moisture loss.

Recommended Amounts of Turkey Per Person

As a general guideline, plan for approximately 1 to 1 1⁄4 lbs of raw turkey per person. This allows for about 3⁄4 lb of cooked turkey meat per serving. Here are common recommendations:

General estimate: 1 lb per person
For more leftovers: 1 1⁄4 lbs per person
For kids under 12: 3⁄4 to 1 lb per child
With lots of sides: 3⁄4 lb per person

So for a 20 lb turkey:

It should feed about 16 people (1 1⁄4 lbs each)
Or up to 20 people if allowing just 1 lb per person
14-18 people if wanting ample leftovers

Getting the Right Turkey Size

Here are some tips for getting the perfect turkey size for your holiday meal:

Make a guest list and add up totals using portion guidelines.
Read labels carefully – weight includes bones, giblets, etc.
Allow 1-2 extra pounds if wanting leftovers.
Buy two smaller birds instead of one huge turkey if needed.
Consider getting just a turkey breast or two for smaller groups.
Shop early – stores sell out of large birds quickly.

And keep in mind that larger raw turkeys take longer to cook. A 20 lb turkey needs over 4 hours in a 325°F oven.

Turkey Size Calculator

As a rule of thumb, plan for around 1.25 lbs of turkey per person. So for 20 guests, you’ll need about a 25 lb bird.

Use this handy calculator to determine the ideal turkey size for your group:

Number of Guests	Turkey Weight
10	12 lbs
12	15 lbs
14	17 lbs
16	20 lbs
18	22 lbs
20	25 lbs

Getting the Most Out of Your Leftovers

Having ample leftovers allows you to create fun new dishes! Here are delicious ways to use up extra turkey:

Turkey sandwiches with creative breads, cheeses, toppings.
Casseroles – mix turkey with rice, veggies, broth, bake.
Turkey tetrazzini – turkey, noodles, mushrooms, spinach, creamy sauce.
Turkey soup – simmer carcass for stock, add turkey, veggies, noodles.
Turkey salad – mix chopped turkey with mayo, celery, cranberries.
Turkey pot pie – turkey, potatoes, carrots, peas in creamy sauce and crust.
Enchiladas – stuff tortillas with turkey, cheese, beans, enchilada sauce.

So don’t be afraid to buy a big bird – the leftovers can make amazing meals all week long!

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to cook a 20 lb turkey?

About 4 1⁄2 to 5 hours roasted in the oven at 325°F. Always use a meat thermometer and cook until 165°F.

Should I buy a 20 lb turkey for 10 people?

A 20 lb turkey may be too large for only 10 people, unless you want a ton of leftovers. A 12-15 lb bird would likely be sufficient.

Can I freeze leftover turkey after the holidays?

Yes, you can safely freeze cooked turkey meat for 2-6 months. Portion it out in sealed bags or airtight containers.

What’s the average Thanksgiving turkey size?

The average Thanksgiving turkey is 15 lbs. But 20-30 lb birds are common to allow for ample leftovers.

How long does it take to thaw a 20 lb frozen turkey?

A 20 lb frozen turkey needs about 5 days to thaw in the fridge. Thaw in cold water in 2-3 days if needed faster.

The Bottom Line

When planning a holiday meal, allow for approximately 1 to 1 1⁄4 lbs of turkey per person. A 20 lb turkey should feed about 16 guests comfortably with leftovers. With some simple calculations, you can get the ideal turkey size and enjoy delicious meals for days to come.

More Thanksgiving help for the big day:

Chef Mark “Gooch” Noguchi, co-founder of Pili Group and Chef Hui, tells TODAY.com that the most important part of determining how much turkey to buy is accounting for the fact that your turkey will shrink as it cooks. As a rule of thumb, account for one to 1½ pounds of turkey meat per person.

“You’re going to lose twenty to thirty percent,” he says.

Noguchi, who has been a chef for more than two decades, says an easy way to shop is to buy one pound of raw turkey for every person you plan to feed.

“One pound of raw whole turkey will equal about eight ounces of raw, usable meat,” he says. “With moisture loss, that is about five to six ounces of cooked meat per person.” Keep in mind that if some of your guests are vegetarian, you can purchase a smaller bird.

Consider your crowd’s preferences for light meat versus dark meat, too. If your guests tend to eat more dark meat, you may want to stock up on additional turkey thighs and drumsticks to serve on the side. Alternatively, if everyone tends to pluck light meat from the platter, roast a turkey breast instead of a whole turkey.