As Thanksgiving inches closer, the day-of stress may be mounting — and much of it may come directly from the bird. If you’re hosting a Thanksgiving feast for your loved ones, one of the biggest questions is how much turkey to make per person. Before choosing between a wet or dry brine and whether to stuff the bird or serve the dressing on the side, you need to buy the right size turkey for your crowd.
Cooking a turkey can feel overwhelming — no doubt — but it doesnt have to take away the joy of your festive feast.
If the turkey is sending you into a tailspin, don’t panic! Here’s what you need to know about cooking Thanksgiving dinner this year when it comes to the big bird.
The centerpiece of many holiday meals is a perfectly roasted turkey But if you’ve been tasked with bringing the main dish, how do you know what size turkey to get? Whether you’re hosting Friendsgiving or feeding the whole extended family for Thanksgiving dinner, you want to make sure you have enough turkey without tons of expensive leftovers
So how many people does an 18 lb turkey feed? With some simple calculations you can get a good estimate of the right size turkey you need to buy to feed your guests.
Figuring Out Turkey Sizes
As a general guideline, plan for about 1-1.5 lbs of turkey per person. This allows for generous portions with some leftovers. So for an 18 lb turkey, you can expect to feed about 12-18 people.
To get a more exact estimate here are some common turkey serving size guidelines
- 1 lb per adult
- 1/2 lb per child
- If leftovers are desired, plan for 1.5-2 lbs per person
- Smaller birds under 12 lbs have a lower meat-to-bone ratio so allow 2 lbs per person
- Birds over 20 lbs may be better cooked as two smaller turkeys
Using these guidelines, here’s a simple calculation to determine how many people an 18 lb turkey will feed with moderate leftovers:
- Allow 1.5 lbs per adult
- Allow 0.75 lbs per child (average of adult and child portions)
- 18 lbs divided by 1.5 lbs per person = An 18 lb turkey will feed 12 people
The number of people depends on the proportion of adults to children and your desired leftovers. For example, if you have 10 adults and 5 kids, an 18 lb turkey would feed about 15 people (10 x 1.5 lbs + 5 x 0.75 lbs).
For a rough estimate, assume an 18 lb turkey will feed 12-15 people on average. The exact amount depends on your guest sizes and preferences.
Turkey Size Chart
To take the guesswork out, refer to this handy turkey size chart as a starting point:
| Number of People | Turkey Size |
|---|---|
| 4-6 | 4-6 lbs |
| 6-8 | 6-9 lbs |
| 8-10 | 8-12 lbs |
| 10-12 | 10-15 lbs |
| 12-16 | 12-18 lbs |
| 16-18 | 16-24 lbs |
| 18-20 | 18-27 lbs |
| 20-25 | 20-30 lbs |
Tips for Buying the Right Size Bird
- Shop early – Turkeys sizes sell out, so shop 1-2 weeks early for the best selection
- Allow thawing time – About 24 hours for every 4-5 lbs; thaw in the fridge
- Check your oven size – Make sure the turkey will fit!
- Get a smaller bird if under 12 lbs – The meat-to-bone ratio improves over 12 lbs
- Cook 2 smaller birds for over 20 people – They’ll cook more evenly
Cook Your Turkey Perfectly
Once you’ve got the right size turkey, proper thawing and cooking are key for a juicy, delicious holiday bird.
- Thaw safely in the fridge 1 day for every 4-5 lbs
- Roast at 325°F until the breast is 165°F and thighs 175°F
- Let rest 20 minutes before carving for juicier meat
With the right size turkey and some simple cooking tips, you’ll have the perfect entree for your holiday meal! An 18 lb turkey will comfortably feed 12-15 people with a bit left for sandwiches or casseroles.
Turkey Leftover Tips and Recipes
One of the best parts about roasting a turkey is enjoying the leftovers! Here are some delicious ways to use up turkey after the main meal:
- Turkey sandwiches – Layer turkey, cranberry sauce, gravy, and stuffing on bread
- Turkey tetrazzini – Turkey, mushrooms, pasta, and creamy sauce baked casserole
- Turkey soup – Simmer turkey meat, veggies, and broth for a comforting soup
- Turkey pot pie – Pie crust topped turkey, veggie and gravy filling
- Turkey enchiladas – Dice turkey into spicy enchiladas topped with cheese
- Turkey salad – Shred turkey mixed with mayo, celery, onion for sandwiches
- Turkey hash – Chopped turkey mixed with potatoes, onions, peppers
With all these possibilities, those turkey leftovers will be gobbled up in no time!
Determining the right turkey size ensures you have enough meat without overbuying. For most gatherings of 12-15 people, an 18 lb turkey is a great choice. Calculate 1-1.5 lbs per person and use a size chart for easy reference. Add some leftover recipes to your menu, and that holiday bird will become two delicious meals! With proper thawing, cooking, and a little preparation, your 18 lb turkey will be the perfect centerpiece.
How much turkey per person for leftovers?
As much as we look forward to the feast on Thanksgiving Day, we get just as excited about eating Thanksgiving leftovers throughout the weekend. “I love leftovers,” Noguchi says, adding that to maximize leftovers bump up the raw poundage per person to 1½ to two pounds per person.
How many people will a 14-lb. turkey feed?
By the same math, a 14-pound turkey will feed nine to 10 people.
How many people will a 15 pound turkey feed?
FAQ
How many people will a 20 lb turkey feed?
|
Number of Guests
|
Turkey Weight–
|
|
12
|
15lbs
|
|
15
|
20lbs
|
|
20
|
25lbs
|
|
25
|
32lbs
|
How many people does an 18lb turkey serve?
What size turkey for 4 adults?
How many hours does a 18 pound turkey take?
|
Turkey Weight
|
Servings
|
Cooking Time
|
|
12 to 14 lb
|
8 to 10
|
2 3/4 to 3 hours
|
|
15 to 18 lb
|
10 to 12
|
3 1/4 to 4 hours
|
|
18 to 20 lb
|
12 to 14
|
4 to 4 1/4 hours
|
|
20 to 22 lb
|
14 to 16
|
4 1/4 to 4 3/4 hours
|
How many people can a 18 lb turkey feed?
An 18 lb turkey will typically feed 10-12 people. However, the number of people a turkey can feed will vary depending on the size of the turkey, the appetites of your guests, and how much other food you are serving. What are some factors to consider when determining how many people a turkey will feed?
How many people can a 8 pound turkey serve?
Most turkey portion serving sizing charts are based using a bone-in turkey. A chart might say 1 to 1.5 pounds of purchased turkey per person, so an 8-pound turkey is allegedly perfect for 6-8 people. I say NO! Initially, the bone removes some of that weight. Secondly, the weight becomes further reduced during cooking.
How much meat can you eat a pound of raw turkey?
“You’re going to lose twenty to thirty percent,” he says. Noguchi, who has been a chef for more than two decades, says an easy way to shop is to buy one pound of raw turkey for every person you plan to feed. “One pound of raw whole turkey will equal about eight ounces of raw, usable meat,” he says.
How much meat is in a pound of Turkey?
“One pound of raw whole turkey will equal about eight ounces of raw, usable meat,” he says. “With moisture loss, that is about five to six ounces of cooked meat per person.” Keep in mind that if some of your guests are vegetarian, you can purchase a smaller bird. Consider your crowd’s preferences for light meat versus dark meat, too.