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Buying a turkey for Thanksgiving dinner comes with nearly as many questions (not to mention drama) as preparing and serving the meal itself: How big a turkey should I buy? How do I cook it evenly? Should I cook it in parts? Is Kelly still vegetarian? Wait—how much turkey do I need if I want lots of leftovers?
We hear you. We’ve been there. And we have plenty of Thanksgiving turkey recipes to steer you in the right direction. But to determine once and for all just how big a holiday bird should be, I turned to our incomparable team of test kitchen editors for their best turkey-buying and holiday-hosting tips.
First and foremost, know your approximate number of guests before shopping for your turkey. Planning ahead allows you to buy the right size bird with confidence and allows you to calculate the turkey’s roasting time. With the day’s approximations anchored by the turkey’s oven appointment, you can plan the other side dishes accordingly (better yet, outsource those entirely to your guests). And tell yourself that maybe—just maybe—Thanksgiving will run on schedule this year.
Thanksgiving is right around the corner, which means it’s time to start planning your menu! The centerpiece of any Thanksgiving meal is obviously the turkey. But how much turkey do you need to feed everyone around your holiday table? This is an important question to answer, because you want to make sure to buy enough turkey without having tons of leftovers.
In this complete guide, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know to determine how much turkey breast to buy per person for your Thanksgiving meal.
General Guidelines for Purchasing Turkey
While opinions differ, in general, most will tell you that you should plan to serve between 1 and 1.5 pounds of bone-in turkey per person – whether that’s a whole turkey or just the bone-in breast. If you’re planning to buy boneless breasts, reduce the amount to a half a pound of turkey per person.
Here are some more specific guidelines based on the type of turkey you choose:
- Whole turkey: Plan on 1 pound per person
- Bone-in turkey breast: Plan on 1 to 1.5 pounds per person
- Boneless turkey breast: Plan on 1/2 pound per person
The advantage of boneless turkey breast is it gives you more precision in purchasing just the right amount. With a whole turkey or bone-in breast, you need to account for the bones which don’t get eaten.
Factors That Affect Amount Needed
There are a few factors that can impact how much turkey you need to purchase per person
1. Number of guests
The number of guests you plan on serving is the biggest determinant of how much turkey you need, Make sure your count includes all adults and children who will be eating
As a general rule, plan on adults eating significantly more than children. So factor that in if you will have a lot of kids at your Thanksgiving meal.
2. Leftovers
Are you someone who loves Thanksgiving leftovers? If so, you may want to purchase slightly more turkey than the guidelines. Having those leftovers allows you to create fun creations like turkey sandwiches, casseroles, and soups after the main meal is over.
On the other hand, if you aren’t a big leftover fan, you can reduce the amounts slightly. Just keep in mind you may not have much leftover meat on the bone for soup.
3. Appetites of guests
We all have that one relative or friend who can really pack away the Thanksgiving meal. So consider the appetites of your guests as you plan. If you have several hearty eaters coming, bump up the amounts accordingly.
Likewise, adjust downward slightly if you have friends or family with smaller appetites attending.
4. White meat vs. dark meat
One other consideration is whether your guests prefer white or dark meat. If the majority like white meat, you may want to buy an extra turkey breast or two. For dark meat lovers, buy a couple extra legs/thighs pieces.
This allows everyone to get their favorite part of the bird without running out.
Turkey Cooking Timelines
Once you’ve purchased the appropriate amount of turkey, the next step is cooking it properly so it’s moist and delicious. Here are some general guidelines on cook times based on the size and type of turkey:
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Whole 12-15 lb turkey: Estimated cook time is 3-3.5 hours at 325°F.
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Bone-in breast (5-8 lbs): Estimated cook time is 1.5-2.5 hours at 350°F.
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Boneless breast (2-4 lbs): Cook for 30-60 minutes at 350°F depending on thickness.
Be sure to use a meat thermometer to confirm the turkey reaches the safe internal temperature of 165°F. Let it rest at least 15 minutes before slicing for juicy results.
Handling Leftovers Safely
One of the best parts about cooking a turkey is enjoying leftovers for days after! Here are some tips on storing leftovers safely:
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Carve turkey off the bone and refrigerate in shallow containers within 2 hours of cooking.
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Use leftovers within 3-4 days. Freeze extras you won’t use.
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Reheat thoroughly to 165°F. Gravy should reach a rolling boil before serving.
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Make dishes like soup and casseroles with leftovers within 1-2 days.
Follow these guidelines and you’ll be able to safely enjoy your Thanksgiving turkey for a week or more after the main meal!
Putting It All Together
Planning the right size turkey for your Thanksgiving gathering doesn’t need to be complicated. Just follow these steps:
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Determine number of guests and their appetites.
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Decide if you want leftovers.
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Select 1-1.5 pounds per person for whole or bone-in turkey breast. Get 1/2 pound per person of boneless breast.
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Adjust amounts up or down based on your specific needs and preferences.
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Review cook times and thermometer temperatures for safely cooking the turkey.
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Use leftovers within 3-4 days and freeze the rest for later.
And that’s it! By following this simple per person estimate, you’ll end up with the perfect amount of turkey this Thanksgiving.
So don’t stress about how much turkey you need. Just use this handy guide and you’ll be all set for a delicious and memorable Thanksgiving meal. Enjoy!
How many pounds of turkey per person do I really need?
As tempting as a 20-pound turkey may look at the store, you really don’t need one that large for a six-person gathering. The general rule is 1 to 1½ pounds of turkey per person. If that seems like a lot, remember that a whole bone-in turkey comes with parts that don’t get eaten. “When you buy a whole turkey, a lot of it is bone,” says recipe developer (and former BA staffer) Jessie YuChen. The smaller the bird, the higher that percentage may be. For smaller gatherings, Jessie recommends scaling your amount of turkey to 2 pounds per person to guarantee extra turkey for leftovers (more on that later). “For four to six people, 11 to 13 pounds is a good range,” Jessie says. (Most of our recipes call for a 12-to-14-pound bird.)
Beyond the bones, the total mass of a whole bird accounts for cartilage and less favorable cuts of meat around the shoulders, neck, and back that are better suited for making stock than presenting on a platter. Buying a pound of turkey per person doesn’t mean it’ll yield an equivalent amount of meat.So, what’s the best size turkey for my crowd?
If you’re thinking about going up a turkey size to guarantee everyone feels well-fed and plenty doped up on tryptophan, contributing editor Amiel Stanek points out that larger birds are more prone to uneven cooking. “In terms of ensuring the breast meat is moist, and the dark meat is cooked through,” he says, “you’re going to get the best results from a 15-pound turkey, max.” If you’re cooking for a large crowd, consider buying two or more moderately sized birds and roast them side by side—or roast one a day or two early and then reheat on Thanksgiving Day.
If a 15-pound bird sounds teeny compared to your guest list, Amiel and Jessie recommend supplementing with a different meat or protein, no matter your party’s size. “I like to do steak or lamb chops,” says Jessie, “which are very festive and a lot easier to prepare than a whole turkey recipe.” Having a second meat on the table provides a backup if you choose a smaller turkey or your bird is on the scrawny side, but it also makes your turkey stretch further. Aim for 1 to 1½ total pounds of protein per person, including your supplementary main, and you’ll have nothing to worry about.
If you’re hosting a smaller gathering, another option is to forgo the roast turkey entirely in favor of a smaller bird—roast chicken or glazed duck make just as nice a centerpiece.
What if I’m afraid of underserving my guests?
Want to show off your baking skills (beyond pumpkin pie, obviously)? Make a big tray of stuffing-flavored biscuits (which are especially delicious the next morning, sandwiching a fried egg). And, of course, you’ve got to have cranberry sauce—either homemade or canned; that’s your prerogative.
Holiday Hotline Tip: How Many Pounds of Turkey Per Person
FAQ
How many pounds of turkey breast do I need for 10 people?
4 people = 2 pound turkey breast. 8 people = 4 pound turkey breast. 10 people = 5 pound turkey breast. 16 people = 8 pound turkey breast.
How many people will a 14 pound turkey breast feed?
Though if you’re wanting to enjoy turkey leftovers (obviously!), our Test Kitchen recommends 1 ½ pounds of turkey per person so everyone can literally get stuffed, with enough leftover for a few extra meals. So if you’re wondering “How many people does a 14-pound turkey feed?”, the answer is about 9 guests.
How much turkey breast per person for Thanksgiving dinner?
How Much Turkey Per Person. The general rule is to plan for 1 1/2 pounds of turkey per guest. If you’re buying boneless meat, assume about 8 ounces per guest. To buy the right size turkey for your party, simply tally up the turkey-eating guests.
Will a 15 pound turkey feed 12 people?
So, if you’re expecting 12 guests, plan for a 15-pound bird.Nov 5, 2024