As the holidays approach, it’s time to start planning your festive meals For many families, the centerpiece of the table is a roasted turkey But if you’re hosting a large gathering, how do you know what size turkey to buy?
Buying the right size turkey ensures there’s enough meat to go around without tons of expensive leftovers Follow this guide to learn how many people a 20 pound turkey can feed.
How Much Turkey Per Person?
The general rule of thumb is to allow 1-1.5 pounds of turkey per person. This provides around 7 ounces of cooked meat per serving.
So for 12 guests, you’ll need a 15 pound turkey. For 15 people, plan for a 20 pound bird. If cooking for 20, get a 25 pound turkey. And for 25 guests, choose a turkey around 32 pounds.
To allow for extra leftovers, some experts recommend getting 1.5-2 pounds per person. Add a couple extra pounds to your turkey if you want plenty of leftovers for sandwiches, soups, etc.
Factors That Affect Portion Sizes
The 1-1.5 pound estimate is just a guideline. Consider other factors that may alter how much meat you need:
- Kids – Allow 3/4 to 1 lb per child under 10 years old. Their portions will be smaller than adults.
- Side Dishes – The more sides on the menu, the less turkey people may eat. Scale back to 1 lb per person if you’ll have lots of sides.
- Leftovers – Add 1-2 lbs total if you want leftovers for turkey sandwiches, soup, etc.
- Time of Day – People tend to eat more at dinner than lunch. Plan for larger portions at evening meals.
- Appetizers – Guests will be less hungry if you serve appetizers and snacks beforehand.
Understanding Turkey Shrinkage
As the turkey cooks, it loses moisture and shrinks in size. You’ll get around 25% less meat after roasting compared to the raw weight.
So a 20 lb raw turkey yields about 15 lbs of cooked meat. Make sure to buy bigger than you think you’ll need to account for this loss.
Should You Buy Two Smaller Turkeys?
For groups over 20, buying two smaller turkeys may be better than one huge bird. Smaller turkeys cook more quickly and evenly.
Cook times can get very long for turkeys over 20 pounds. And the breast meat may dry out while the thighs are underdone.
Two 15-pounders will feed the same guests as one 30-pounder. Just remember to calculate for shrinkage on both birds.
Stuffing and Side Dishes
Don’t stuff your turkey if smoking or grilling it. The stuffing needs to reach 165°F, which may not happen at lower barbecue temperatures.
In general, allow 1/2 cup stuffing per person. Reduce to 1/3 cup if serving other starch sides like mashed potatoes or macaroni.
And remember to make plenty of gravy and cranberry sauce to round out your holiday spread!
Storing and Reheating Leftovers
Refrigerate carved turkey and other leftovers within 2 hours. Reheat fully to 165°F before serving.
For optimal flavor and texture, consume leftovers within 3-4 days. Freeze extras for longer storage.
Get creative with leftovers! Make turkey chili, pot pie, casseroles, sandwiches, and more. Don’t let any of that delicious turkey go to waste!
How Many Will a 20 Pound Turkey Feed?
Now that you know the basics, how many people can you expect a 20 pound turkey to serve?
After cooking loss, a 20 lb raw turkey yields around 15 pounds of meat. With 1-1.5 lbs per serving, this should feed 10-15 people.
Add a couple extra pounds if you want leftovers, or if serving larger holiday portions. For big groups, cook two smaller birds instead of one huge turkey.
Use these turkey buying guidelines to select the perfect size bird for your upcoming holiday feast. With the right calculations, you’ll have enough juicy, delicious meat without breaking the bank.
How much turkey do you need per person this Thanksgiving?
You already know to plan for at least 1 1/4 pounds of turkey per person, but weve broken the formula down to make for easy shopping this holiday season. Find out what size turkey to shop for for your family feast:
6 people = 8 lb. turkey
If youre hosting a Thanksgiving for two or four this year, skip the whole turkey and buy a turkey breast instead. The white breast meat is a lot of folks favorite part of the turkey anyway! Breasts are much easier to work with. They take less time to thaw and cook. Heck, one can even be cooked in an air fryer! For a boneless breast, you should plan for 1/2 pound (8 ounces) per person.
How much meat do you get from a 20 pound turkey?
FAQ
How many adults will a 20-pound turkey feed?
How many people can you serve with a 20-pound turkey?
How many people are fed by a 20 lb turkey?
How much meat is on a 20 lb turkey?
How many people can a 20 pound turkey feed?
When estimating serving sizes, you should plan on about 1-1/4 pounds of turkey per person. That means a 20-pound turkey should feed 16 people. However, your final estimate should also take other factors into account, including the possibility of leftovers. A whole turkey might weigh anywhere from 14 to 70 pounds.
How many turkeys should a family eat?
For large groups of people, consider buying a couple of smaller turkeys to match the pound per person rule. So if you need to feed 60 people, buy two turkeys that are around 20 pounds each. Families that prefer white meat might also want to consider just buying turkey breast (or a couple extra in addition to the bird) for your meal.
How much should a turkey weigh?
Obviously, while the range of weights you’ll find on turkey at the store varies, it’s rarer to find birds less than 10 pounds or over 30 lbs. For large groups of people, consider buying a couple of smaller turkeys to match the pound per person rule. So if you need to feed 60 people, buy two turkeys that are around 20 pounds each.
How much stuffing do you need for a 20 pound turkey?
A 20-pound bird will take a prohibitively long time to cook. If stuffing is on the menu, plan on heating it in a separate casserole dish. Estimate about 3/4 cup of stuffing per guest. That means if you’re preparing a 20-pound turkey for 16 people, you’ll need a total of 12 cups of stuffing.