How Much Stuffing Do You Need For a 20 Pound Turkey? A Detailed Guide

With Thanksgiving just around the corner, one of the biggest questions on everyone’s mind is “How much stuffing do I need for my 20 lb turkey?” When handling a large bird like this, it can be tricky to figure out the right amount of stuffing. You want enough to perfectly complement the turkey without overstuffing it.

Through many years of Thanksgiving turkey experience, I’ve nailed down the ideal quantity of stuffing for a 20 lb turkey. In this comprehensive guide, I’ll share my tried-and-true method to help make sure your holiday bird is stuffed just right.

Calculating the Right Amount of Stuffing

When deciding how much stuffing to use, the general guideline is to allow around 1⁄2 to 3⁄4 cup of stuffing per pound of turkey For a 20 lb turkey, this equals approximately 10-12 cups of stuffing However, you may want to adjust this amount slightly based on factors like

• Number of guests – More guests means you may want extra stuffing.

• Density of stuffing – Fluffy stuffing takes up more space than dense, packed stuffing.

• Personal taste – Some people prefer more lightly stuffed turkeys.

It’s better to have a bit too much stuffing than not enough Leftovers make great side dishes or casual sandwiches the day after Thanksgiving

I recommend starting with 12 cups of stuffing, and adding more as needed if your recipe doesn’t completely fill the bird. It’s easy to cook extra stuffing in a casserole dish.

Safely Preparing and Cooking the Stuffing

Safety should be the number one priority when making stuffed turkey. To prevent contamination and ensure even cooking, follow these guidelines:

• Use fully cooked ingredients like roasted veggies, browned sausage and broth or stock. Avoid raw eggs.

• Make and refrigerate the stuffing in advance, then stuff the turkey just before roasting. Never stuff the night before.

• Loosely fill both the neck and body cavities, avoiding tight packing.

• Cook the stuffed turkey at 325°F and calculate roasting time based on the total weight with stuffing. For a 20 lb bird, roast for about 5 hours.

• Verify the internal temperature of the stuffing reaches 165°F when finished cooking.

Alternative Stuffing Methods

If you’re concerned about potential bacteria from cooking the stuffing inside the turkey, there are some safer alternatives:

• Cook the stuffing completely separately in a casserole dish in the oven.

• Skip stuffing and fill the turkey with aromatic ingredients like onion, apple and herbs instead.

• Make an alternative side dish like wild rice pilaf or quinoa with veggies instead of traditional stuffing.

You can also bake your favorite stuffing into muffins as appetizers or shape it into waffle sandwiches for a creative leftover idea!

Key Tips for Stuffing Your Turkey

Here are some extra tips and answers to common questions about stuffing your Thanksgiving turkey:

• For a 20 lb turkey, allow 10-12 cups of stuffing as a general guideline. Adjust as needed.

• For food safety, stuff right before roasting and cook thoroughly to 165°F.

• Loosely fill the neck and body cavities without overpacking.

• Consider roasting extra stuffing in a casserole dish as a backup.

• Calculate turkey roasting times based on the total stuffed weight.

• Flavor your stuffing with sautéed veggies, broth, meat, herbs and spices.

• Avoid raw eggs and use cooked ingredients and stock for safety.

• You can use premade stuffing mix for convenience. Follow package instructions.

Let your stuffed turkey rest 20 minutes before removing the stuffing and carving the meat.

Choosing the Best Stuffing Ingredients

The ingredients you choose can make or break your Thanksgiving stuffing. Here are some of my favorites:

Bread: Go for a heavier white bread like French or Italian. I also like to add some hearty whole wheat.

Onion and Celery: These aromatic veggies provide a savory flavor base when sautéed.

Butter or Oil: This adds richness and keeps the stuffing moist.

Stock or Broth: Use chicken, turkey or vegetable broth to impart extra flavor.

Herbs: Dried sage, thyme, rosemary and parsley give a seasoning boost.

Fruits and Nuts: Dried cranberries, apples or walnuts add texture and sweetness.

Meat: Cooked sausage, bacon or giblets make it more savory.

Calculating Cook Times for Stuffed Turkeys

Since the stuffing adds weight and mass, it’s important to calculate roasting times for stuffed turkeys based on the total weight. Here are some general guidelines:

• 8-12 lb turkey – Allow 15-18 minutes per lb at 325°F
• 12-16 lb turkey – Allow 18-20 minutes per lb at 325°F
• 16-20 lb turkey – Allow 20-22 minutes per lb at 325°F
• 20-24 lb turkey – Allow 22-24 minutes per lb at 325°F

So for a 20 lb stuffed turkey, plan on roasting it for about 20 minutes per lb, or around 5 hours total at 325°F. Always use a meat thermometer to confirm the turkey reaches 165°F in the thickest part of the thigh. Let it rest 20 minutes before carving.

Get Creative with Leftover Stuffing

Don’t toss that leftover stuffing after Thanksgiving dinner! Here are some creative ways to use it up:

• Stuff into sandwiches or wraps
• Shape into patties or balls and fry into stuffing “hushpuppies”
• Top with an egg and cheese for breakfast stuffing cakes
• Mix with broth and bake into stuffing waffles
• Layer into a casserole for an easy stuffed turkey tetrazzini
• Fold into mashed potatoes for an extra savory side
• Mix with ricotta and stuff into manicotti or ravioli