If youre in charge of planning Thanksgiving this year, consider it a sign that your family and friends have a lot of trust in you! As you plan for the holiday, you might be wondering what size turkey to get for your gathering. Luckily, weve got all the info you need on how much turkey breast per person is recommended for your Thanksgiving dinner. Of course, you can adjust these calculations if you have family members who are likely to come back for extra servings of turkey, as well as those who might skip the turkey altogether and load up on vegetable dishes. Because were all about making sure your holidays run smoothly, weve also included estimates for side dishes and desserts, so you dont need to guess how many pies or pounds of potatoes you might need to grab during your pre-Thanksgiving shop.
Planning the perfect holiday meal means getting the turkey right. Under-buying turkey can leave your guests hungry, while over-buying leads to wasted food and money. So how much bone-in turkey breast should you buy per person? Follow this detailed guide for a stress-free turkey shopping trip.
Why Choose Bone-In Turkey Breast?
A boneless turkey breast is convenient, but a bone-in breast has more flavor The bones add taste as the turkey cooks, infusing it with more turkey flavor The skin also crisps up beautifully when the bone is left in.
For special occasions like Thanksgiving, a whole bone-in turkey breast makes a stunning centerpiece. Carving the breast at the table is part of the tradition.
Bone-in breasts take longer to cook than boneless But the extra time yields moister, more tender and flavorful meat.
How Much Bone-In Turkey Per Person?
As a general guideline plan for around 3⁄4 pound to 1 pound of bone-in turkey breast per person.
This allows for generous portions with leftovers. Leftover turkey is great for sandwiches, casseroles, soups and other easy meals.
Here’s a simple formula:
- For adults, allow 1 pound of bone-in turkey breast per person
- For kids, allow 1⁄2 pound per child
- If you want lots of leftovers, allow 1 1⁄4 pounds per person
For example, if you’re having Thanksgiving dinner for 8 adults and 5 kids, you’d need:
- 8 adults x 1 pound each = 8 pounds
- 5 kids x 1⁄2 pound each = 2.5 pounds
- Total: 10.5 pounds of bone-in turkey breast
To be safe, it’s better to slightly overestimate than under-buy. Here’s a handy turkey buying guide based on the number of guests:
- 4 people: buy a 4 pound bone-in breast
- 6 people: buy a 6 pound bone-in breast
- 8 people: buy a 8-9 pound bone-in breast
- 10 people: buy a 10-12 pound bone-in breast
- 12 people: buy a 12-14 pound bone-in breast
- 14 people: buy a 14-16 pound bone-in breast
- 16 people: buy a 16-18 pound bone-in breast
As you can see, buying a little extra turkey is recommended, especially if you want leftovers.
Other Tips for Buying Bone-In Turkey Breast
- Buy your turkey breast 2-3 days before cooking to allow it to thaw fully in the fridge. Don’t thaw at room temperature.
- Make sure your roasting pan is large enough for the bone-in breast, with some extra room around it.
- A boneless breast is easier if you have a smaller oven. A bone-in breast can take up more oven space.
- Let the breast rest 20-30 minutes before carving for juicy meat.
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure the thickest part of the breast reaches 165°F.
- Save the bones and carcass to make your own turkey broth!
Cooking Times for Bone-In Turkey Breasts
Bone-in turkey breasts require longer cook times than boneless. A general guideline is:
- 4-6 lb breast: 2 – 2 1⁄2 hours at 325°F
- 8-10 lb breast: 2 1⁄2 – 3 hours at 325°F
- 12-15 lb breast: 3 – 3 1⁄2 hours at 325°F
Check the temperature regularly toward the end of the estimate. And let the breast rest before slicing.
For a juicy, flavorful turkey, rub the breast with butter or oil and season it generously inside and out. Herbs like sage, rosemary, thyme and marjoram complement turkey beautifully.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many people will a 7lb bone-in turkey breast feed?
If you’re not cooking for a crowd, make a bone-in turkey breast. A 5- to 7-pound breast feeds about 4.
How many servings is a bone-in turkey breast?
One (3-pound) half-breast will feed two to four people. A whole (six- to seven-pound) turkey breast (two breasts, still joined at the breast bone) will feed six to eight people.
How many pounds of bone in turkey per person?
In order to have plenty of turkey for dinner, with enough for leftovers and to-go plates, remember this simple rule: one pound of turkey per person. You can assume about 40% to 50% of every turkey is bone or parts that won’t be eaten.
How many ounces of boneless turkey breast per person?
For a boneless breast, you should plan for 1⁄2 pound (8 ounces) per person.
Key Takeaways
- For bone-in turkey breast, allow 3⁄4 to 1 pound per person
- Buy a little extra for leftovers and larger appetites
- Let bone-in breasts rest before carving for juicy meat
- Use a meat thermometer and cook to 165°F
- Plan for longer cook times compared to boneless breasts
With these turkey buying and cooking tips, your holiday guests will be impressed when you serve a gorgeous, juicy bone-in turkey breast. Getting the size right means your meal will start off perfectly. Then relax and enjoy time with friends and family!
What if I’m serving a large crowd?
Of course, every rule has an exception. If you’re cooking for more than 16 people, buy one 12- to 14-pound bird and a breast instead of roasting a mammoth turkey (anything over 15 pounds will likely dry out by the time it’s cooked through). Prepare and roast the whole turkey on the upper rack of your oven and the breast on the lower rack.
- One 12- to 14-lb whole turkey and one 6- to 10-lb bone-in breast
- Dry mix stuffing (36 oz)
- Potatoes (10 lbs)
- Sweet potatoes (10 lbs)
- Canned cranberry sauce (four 14-oz cans)
- Pie (3–4)
- Brussels sprouts (4.5 lbs)
- Green beans (6 lbs)
How much turkey per person do I need?
Our recommendation is to plan for one pound of turkey per person, or ½ pound per person for a boneless turkey breast. If youre buying a bone-in turkey breast, figure on 3/4 pound per person.
- Whole turkey (8 lbs)
- Dry mix stuffing (12 oz)
- Potatoes (4 lbs)
- Sweet potatoes (4 lbs)
- Canned cranberry sauce (two 14-oz cans)
- Pie (1–2)
- Brussels sprouts (1.5 lbs)
- Green beans (2 lbs)
- Whole turkey (16 lbs)
- Dry mix stuffing (24 oz)
- Potatoes (8 lbs)
- Sweet potatoes (8 lbs)
- Canned cranberry sauce (three 14-oz cans)
- Pie (2–3)
- Brussels sprouts (3 lbs)
- Green beans (4 lbs)