Do you find yourself asking around to find out how much turkey to prepare for your guests? We do too! That’s why we talked with food experts and chefs and built a tool to help plan the right amount of turkey for Thanksgiving dinner.
Simply enter the number of adults and children in the form below to calculate how much turkey you’ll need. Adults: Children: Want Leftovers?: No Yes
A 20 pound turkey is a large bird that will feed a crowd! But exactly how big is a 20 pound turkey? Let’s take a closer look
Turkey Sizes
Turkeys are sized by their weight in pounds Common sizes include
- 10-16 pounds
- 16-20 pounds
- 20-24 pounds
A 20 pound turkey falls on the larger side of typical sizes.
Serving Size
A general rule of thumb is that a turkey will provide about 1 pound of meat per person served.
So a 20 pound turkey will provide around 20 servings of turkey meat. This is enough to generously feed 10-15 people, with leftovers.
If you don’t want lots of leftovers, plan for 1/2 pound of turkey per person. Then a 20 pound turkey would feed 8-10 people without leftovers.
Turkey Dimensions
In addition to weight, the size of a turkey can be described by its dimensions.
A 20 pound turkey is typically:
- 15-17 inches long
- Up to 12 inches wide
- Up to 6 inches deep in the breast area
So it’s a substantial bird that’s almost 2 feet long and 1 foot wide. The breast area will be very plump and round.
Buying the Right Size
When buying a turkey, allow 1-1 1/2 pounds of turkey per person if you want leftovers. For a crowd, multiple smaller turkeys may be easier to cook than one huge bird.
For 10-12 people, plan on a 20 pound turkey. For 15+ people, buy two smaller turkeys like two 12-14 pound birds.
Check your oven size too. A 20 pound turkey needs a roasting pan at least 16 x 13 inches with high sides. Make sure you have room for a bird that size before buying.
Thawing a 20 Pound Turkey
A frozen 20 pound turkey needs 4-5 days to thaw in the refrigerator.
To quick thaw, leave it wrapped and submerge in cold water, changing the water every 30 minutes. A 20 pound turkey will take 4-6 hours to thaw this way.
Once thawed, cook within 1-2 days and don’t refreeze.
Cooking Time
A larger turkey takes longer to cook. Estimate 15-18 minutes per pound for an unstuffed 20 pound turkey.
So a 20 pound turkey will need 5-6 hours to roast in a 325°F oven. Check it early and continue roasting if needed until the breast is 165°F and thighs are 175°F.
Let it rest 30 minutes before carving for juicy and tender meat.
Turkey Size Chart
Here is a turkey size chart as a quick reference:
| Turkey Weight | People Served | Cook Time |
|---|---|---|
| 10-16 lbs | 4-12 people | 2.5-4 hours |
| 16-20 lbs | 12-15 people | 4-6 hours |
| 20-24 lbs | 15-20 people | 6-7 hours |
Get the Right Turkey
When feeding a crowd, a 20 pound turkey is a great size. With proper thawing and cooking, it will turn out juicy and delicious. Refer to this guide on how big a 20 pound turkey is to buy the right size bird for your gathering.
Cite As:Sexton, J. (n.d.).
How Much Turkey Do You Need?
The happiest holiday memories are often made around the Thanksgiving table, with the turkey being the ultimate centerpiece! Thankfully (pun intended!), this chart will help you decide what size turkey to buy based on guest count.
The general rule of thumb is one pound of turkey per adult and a half pound per child. But if leftovers like late-night turkey sandwiches and turkey tetrazzini are as traditional as the feast itself, plan for two to three pounds per person total.
Smaller gatherings don’t necessarily mean smaller turkeys because the meat-to-bone ratio is typically less for birds under 12 pounds. If in doubt, always go bigger at two pounds per person.[1]
How long does it take for a 20 pound turkey to cook in the oven?
FAQ
How many people will a 20 lb turkey feed?
|
Number of Guests
|
Turkey Weight–
|
|
12
|
15lbs
|
|
15
|
20lbs
|
|
20
|
25lbs
|
|
25
|
32lbs
|
What is the best size turkey for 2 people?
Will a 20 pound turkey fit in my oven?
How many people can you serve with a 20 pound turkey?