How Much Will a 20 lb Turkey Feed? Plan for 12-14 Hungry Guests

The holidays are a time for gathering with friends and family to share in warmth, laughter, and of course, delicious food. For many households, the centerpiece of the holiday meal is a golden, juicy turkey. But if you’re hosting, how do you determine what size turkey to buy to properly feed your flock? In particular, how much will a 20 lb turkey feed?

This article will provide a guide on how to estimate portions when buying a whole turkey, specifically looking at how a 20 lb bird can serve a group. We’ll cover key considerations like the amount of meat per pound, white vs dark meat preferences and portion sizes based on the number of adults vs children.

Focus on Edible Meat Weight, Not Overall Size

The first step is to understand how much actual cooked, edible meat you get from a raw turkey. A common mistake is looking at the total weight of the whole raw turkey and basing portions on that.

However, once the bones, skin, and other non-edible parts are removed, the amount of meat is substantially reduced. As a general rule, plan on about 70% of the raw weight being usable cooked meat.

For a 20 lb turkey, that means about 14 lbs of cooked meat to serve. Now let’s look at how to allocate that between guests

Factor in Dark Meat vs White Meat Preferences

Not everyone likes both dark and white meat, so you’ll need to plan accordingly when dividing up a turkey. In general, estimate about 70% of the meat will be white breast meat, while 30% is dark leg and thigh meat.

So from that 14 lbs, plan on about 10 lbs of white meat and 4 lbs of dark meat for a 20 lb turkey. If you have guests who only eat white meat, keep that higher ratio in mind so you ensure everyone gets enough.

Estimate Portions Based on Number of Guests

Figuring about a 1⁄2 pound of turkey meat per adult person is a safe bet for a hearty holiday serving. For kids, plan on 1⁄4 pound of meat.

So for our 20 lb turkey with 14 lbs of edible cooked meat:

• For 12 adult guests, estimate 6 lbs of white meat and 2 lbs of dark meat, or 8 lbs total.

• For 14 adult guests, estimate 7 lbs of white meat and 2.5 lbs of dark meat, or 9.5 lbs total.

This leaves around 4-5 lbs leftover, which is great for turkey sandwiches, soups, casseroles, and more!

If you have a mix of adults and kids, do a tally of 1⁄2 pound per adult and 1⁄4 pound per child.

An easy formula:

(# adults x 1⁄2 lb) + (# kids x 1⁄4 lb) = Total lbs of meat needed

Then compare that to your 14 lbs of cooked meat from a 20 lb raw turkey.

Put It All Together for a 20 lb Bird

For a 20 lb turkey:

• Plan on about 14 lbs of cooked, edible meat
• Estimate 10 lbs white meat and 4 lbs dark meat
• Allow 1⁄2 lb per adult and 1⁄4 lb per child

This size turkey will comfortably feed:

• 12-14 adults (6-7 lbs white meat, 2-2.5 lbs dark meat)
• 10 adults + 8 kids (5 lbs white meat, 2 lbs dark meat)

And will leave you with ample leftovers of 4-5 lbs of meat.

The precise amount depends on your guest sizes and preferences. Older kids may eat full adult portions, while petite seniors or those with smaller appetites may eat less.

Err on the side of more meat than you think you need, ensuring there are hearty portions for all. Plus you get the bonus of leftovers to enjoy another day!

Key Tips for Buying and Cooking Your Turkey

Here are some additional tips to ensure your holiday turkey feast meets expectations:

• Buy your turkey at least 1-2 days in advance to allow it to thaw fully in the fridge. Never thaw on the counter.

• Cook to an internal temperature of 165°F checked with a meat thermometer in the thickest part of the breast and thigh.

• Let the turkey rest at least 20 minutes before carving to allow juices to redistribute. The internal temp will rise another 5°F during this time.

• Use a roasting pan slightly larger than the turkey with a rack to elevate it. This allows air flow for even cooking.

• Tent the turkey with foil after the first 1-1.5 hours to prevent overbrowning.

• Plan for 15-18 minutes per pound cooking time for an unstuffed turkey. Add 30-45 minutes if stuffed.

• Use a probe thermometer to monitor the internal temp. Once it reaches 160°F, tent with foil and turn off oven but leave turkey in until 165°F.

Enjoy Your Perfectly Cooked 20 lb Turkey

As you can see, a 20 lb turkey will comfortably feed 12-14 hungry guests for a holiday feast with some meat left to savor later on.

Follow these tips on allocating portions, and your whole bird will carve up beautifully, with tender white meat and juicy dark meat for all.

The holidays are all about enjoying time together around the table. With a properly sized turkey like this 20 pounder, you can relax knowing there will be enough delicious meat and memories to go around.