Not sure how much turkey to make per person this holiday season? This handy rule will make your Thanksgiving planning so much easier.
No matter how often you host Thanksgiving, one big question remains the same: Exactly how much turkey do I need to make per person? The turkey’s size determines how big of a helping each guest receives—not to mention how much will remain for leftover turkey recipes.
If you want to ensure your Thanksgiving turkey recipe will prepare enough turkey for every guest, plan on 1-1/4 pounds of turkey per person. Once you know the exact number of attendees, use this formula: Number of guests x 1.25, then round up to the nearest whole number. So, if you’re expecting 12 guests, plan for a 15-pound bird.
To simplify things, we’ve created a guide to help you pick the perfect-sized turkey for your Thanksgiving dinner menu.
Thanksgiving is coming up, which means it’s time to start planning that big turkey dinner One of the most common questions when prepping a Thanksgiving meal is “how many pounds of turkey do I need per person?” It’s important to get the right amount so you have enough (but not too much!) for your guests. In this article, we’ll break down how to calculate the perfect turkey portion for your Thanksgiving gathering
General Guidelines
The general guideline is to plan for 1-1.5 pounds of turkey per person. Here are some more specific recommendations:
- 1 pound per person if you want just enough without leftovers
- 1.5 pounds per person if you want ample leftovers
- 2 pounds per person for extra-hearty appetites and lots of leftovers
If you have a smaller gathering or not too many big turkey fans you can stick closer to 1 pound per person. But it’s usually better to have too much than not enough turkey!
For children, estimate about 1/2 pound of turkey per child when calculating portions.
Calculate Based on Number of Guests
The number of guests you’re hosting is the biggest factor in determining how large of a turkey you need. Here are some estimates based on guest count:
- 4-6 guests = 6-9 pound turkey
- 8-10 guests = 12-15 pound turkey
- 12-14 guests = 18-21 pound turkey
- 16-18 guests = 24-27 pound turkey
- 20 guests = 30 pound turkey
In general plan for a 12-15 pound turkey as the smallest size you should cook for Thanksgiving. Turkeys smaller than 12 pounds tend to have a lower ratio of meat to bone.
If you have a large gathering of over 20 people, consider cooking two smaller turkeys rather than one giant bird to ensure even cooking.
Order a Bit More for Leftovers
Even if you use the guidelines above, it’s a good idea to order a slightly bigger turkey than your estimates, especially if you want leftovers. Having too much leftover turkey is better than running out during your meal! Extras can be used for sandwiches, soups, casseroles and more in the days following Thanksgiving.
Aim to have 1.5-2 pounds of turkey per person if leftovers are important to you. And feel free to let guests take some home – sharing is caring during the holidays!
Other Meats & Main Dishes
While turkey is often the star of the Thanksgiving show, you can supplement it or replace it entirely with other main dish options if you prefer. Some good Thanksgiving alternatives to complement turkey or serve as the main attraction include:
- Bone-in ham
- Roast beef tenderloin
- Pork crown roast
- Rack of lamb
- Roast chicken or duck
- Plant-based roasts
Serving a secondary main dish like glazed ham or beef tenderloin means you can get a slightly smaller turkey. Plan for around 1-1.5 pounds of total meat/protein per person when factoring in non-turkey dishes.
Turkey Parts
Instead of tackling a whole bird, you can save yourself some effort by just roasting a turkey breast. Turkey breasts are easier to cook evenly than a whole turkey, but you still want to choose bone-in for the best flavor and moisture.
For turkey breasts, stick to the same 1-1.5 pound per person guidelines. Since breast meat is leaner with less bone than a whole bird, this will ensure you have enough for your guests.
You can also braise or grill turkey legs, thighs or wings as an appetizer or side dish to supplement your main turkey centerpiece.
Going Without Leftovers
If you and your guests are not big leftover fans, you can be on the more conservative side with your turkey portions. Stick closer to 1 pound per person without padding for extras.
You may also want to cook accompaniments and side dishes that won’t leave you with a week of remains. Fresh salad greens, uncooked veggie platters, and homemade bread are delicious for the meal but won’t clutter your fridge after.
Or plan to send guests home with turkey portions or make smaller post-Thanksgiving meals to use everything up.
Pre-Carved Turkey Breast
If hosting a stress-free Thanksgiving is your goal, picking up a pre-cooked, pre-carved turkey breast from your grocery store’s deli section is a handy shortcut. These are usually around 2 pounds and can feed 3-4 people. You can supplement with sides and other mains accordingly.
Pre-cooked turkey is an easy way to skip the roasting and carving, but note that the flavor won’t be quite as good as a fresh, homemade roast turkey. But convenience sometimes trumps all!
Turkey Tips & Tricks
Here are some additional turkey tips to ensure Thanksgiving success:
- Thaw frozen turkeys 1 day per 4-5 pounds in the fridge
- Allow 15-18 minutes per pound cooking time for whole turkeys
- Roast turkey breasts for about 1 hour 40 mins for 2 pounds
- Use a meat thermometer – target 165°F in the thickest part
- Let the turkey rest at least 30 minutes before carving
- Watch out for the plastic pop-up timer – it can pop early!
- For moist meat, brine or rub butter/oil under the skin
- Tent turkey with foil if the skin browns too fast
- Carve the turkey just before serving for the freshest taste
Enjoy Your Holiday Feast!
The most important part of Thanksgiving is gathering with your loved ones to reflect on what you’re grateful for. Don’t stress too much about having the perfect turkey – your guests will just be happy to enjoy a loving meal together. Apply the guidelines here to estimate how much turkey you need, add in some delicious sides, pour some festive drinks, and have a very happy Thanksgiving!
How to Serve and Store Thanksgiving Turkey
Once the turkey is out of the oven, let it rest for 20 to 30 minutes. Then, use our tips on how to carve a turkey to create beautiful slices. Arrange the meat on a platter so your guests can choose which piece they like.
When everyone is finished eating, don’t forget about the leftovers. Store the meat in an airtight container in the fridge for up to four days. We like to reheat turkey in the oven with a bit of gravy, broth or butter to keep it nice and juicy.
What size turkey should I buy to feed a large group?
You don’t have to buy one large turkey to feed a crowd. Large turkeys are heavy and take a long time to cook. Instead, try dividing the total number of pounds by two and buying two smaller birds. Cooking a small turkey is quicker, and the meat will cook more evenly.
How many pounds of turkey should you have per person?
FAQ
How many people does a 12 lb turkey feed?
To buy the right size turkey for your party, simply tally up the turkey-eating guests. Add a few pounds on for bones and you’ve got your turkey weight. For example, 8 hungry people will require at least 12 pounds, but you might want to skew to a 14-pound turkey to be safe.
Is a 20 lb turkey enough for 10 people?
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.
How much turkey do I need for 10 guests?
| Number of guests | How much turkey? |
|---|---|
| 9 | 1 (12–15-pound) turkey |
| 10 | 1 (15-pound) turkey |
| 11 | 1 (15–18-pound) turkey or 2 (8–12 pound) turkeys |
| 12 | 1 (15–18-pound) turkey or 2 (8–12 pound) turkeys |
How many people are fed by a 20 lb turkey?
Therefore a 20 pound turkey should feed at least 13 people. Remember though as well, the smaller the bird, which are going to be female turkeys, the less the meat to bone ratio will be, while the larger, male birds have a higher meat to bone ratio and thus may serve more than the expected 1.5 pounds/ 1 person ratio.