What Size Turkey Breast Do You Need for 10 Adults?

Planning Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner and wondering what size turkey breast to buy for 10 adults? With some simple calculations, you can determine the ideal turkey breast size to serve a moist, flavorful holiday meal without tons of wasted leftovers.

How Much Turkey Per Adult?

The general recommendation is around 1⁄2 pound of cooked turkey meat per adult. For 10 adults, that equals about 5 pounds of cooked, boneless turkey breast.

However, raw turkey loses about half its weight during cooking Plus, bone-in turkey breast includes weight from the bones.

So for 10 adults you need

• 5 lbs cooked boneless turkey breast
• 10 lbs raw boneless turkey breast
• Or 15-16 lbs raw bone-in turkey breast

This provides enough tasty white meat without too much waste or dry leftovers. Let’s look more closely at how to arrive at these amounts.

Calculating For Boneless vs Bone-In

Figuring sizes gets tricky since you can buy boneless turkey breast or leave the bone in. Here’s a simple breakdown:

• Boneless breast loses about half its raw weight during cooking.
• Bone-in breast includes about 30% bone weight.

So if you need 5 pounds of cooked boneless breast, get

• 10 pounds raw boneless breast
• Or 15-16 pounds raw bone-in breast

The bone accounts for those extra 5-6 pounds with bone-in. Remove the bone before carving and you’ll end up with a similar amount of edible turkey meat.

Turkey Breast Cooking Times

Cook times vary slightly for boneless vs. bone-in turkey breasts.

• Boneless breast: About 1 hour 15 mins at 350°F
• Bone-in breast: Around 1 hour 45 mins at 350°F

Always use a meat thermometer for doneness. Turkey is safe at 165°F. Let rest 10 minutes before carving.

Finding the Right Turkey Breast Size

Many grocery stores sell turkey breasts in 2-3 pound increments. Here are some options in the 15-16 pound range:

• 16 lb bone-in breast (perfect size!)
• Two 8 lb bone-in breasts (may fit better in small ovens)
• 15 lb bone-in breast (trim off extra pounds)
• 14 lb bone-in breast + extra boneless breast

Call your local grocer ahead to see what’s available. Most can order the ideal size, but it helps to give them a few options.

Should You Go Bigger?

The 1⁄2 pound per person recommendation provides enough food without lots of wasted leftovers. But here are some reasons you may want to go bigger:

• Big eaters – Some guests may devour a full pound or more.

• Leftovers – Extra turkey makes great sandwiches, soup, turkey tetrazzini.

• More white meat – Since breast is leaner than dark meat, guests may want more.

• Smaller turkey – Sizes jump by ~3 lbs. A 14 lb may be too small.

In these cases, consider sizing up to an 18-20 lb bone-in turkey breast for a group of 10.

Side Dishes Are Your Friend

Even if your budget forces you to go smaller on turkey, robust sides make the meal. Round it out with:

• Fluffy mashed potatoes or dressing
• Hearty rolls with butter
• Rich gravy or cranberry sauce
• Savory vegetables and green salad
• Decadent desserts

Generous portions of favorite sides help 10 pounds of turkey feel like a feast.

Try Turkey Breast Roasting Alternatives

If finding a large enough breast is challenging, get creative:

• Rotisserie chicken – Much easier to find in right size portions

• Turkey tenderloins – Cook quicker than breast, good for small groups

• Turkey drumsticks – Impressive individual portions

• Cornish hens – Small birds with great presentation

• Turkey thighs – More flavorful dark meat

• Turkey scaloppini – Delicate sautéed cutlets

TL;DR: 15-16 Pound Bone-In Turkey Breast for 10

When cooking for 10 adults, a 15-16 pound raw, bone-in turkey breast provides around 5 pounds of cooked meat without lots of waste. This gives each person 1⁄2 pound of tender breast meat for holiday dining. As always, use a meat thermometer and allow the turkey breast to rest before serving. If possible, call the grocer ahead to ensure you can get the ideal size. And don’t forget to pair it with plenty of savory sides and sauces. Your guests will be delighted with a perfectly sized home-cooked turkey breast feast.