Perhaps the most important decision any Thanksgiving host has to make is what size bird to get. That answer relies on how much turkey per person you need. Sure, there’s that one uncle who bogarts more than his fair share of turkey or the vegetarian who’ll only feast on veggie side dishes but its important to have a generous estimate that will feed your guests and leave enough turkey leftovers to enjoy later. When you’re ready for round two the next day, check out our guide on how to reheat turkey and our best turkey sandwich recipes.
And what’s Thanksgiving without all the classic sides? We also let you know the amount of side dishes you should plan on:
For many families, a roasted turkey is the centerpiece of holiday meals. When shopping for your holiday bird, one of the most important decisions is determining what size turkey or turkey breast to buy. Follow this guide to find out how many pounds a turkey breast typically weighs and how to choose the right size for your gathering.
What is a Turkey Breast?
A turkey breast refers to the two pectoral muscles of the turkey, which are located on either side of the breastbone. Turkey breasts are lean, moist and flavorful.
When sold whole, a turkey breast includes both halves still connected by the breastbone. Turkey breasts can also be purchased boneless, with the two halves fully separated.
Bone-in turkey breasts are more economical than boneless. Removing the bone yourself also allows you to use it for making turkey stock. However, boneless turkey breasts are more convenient especially for roasting or grilling.
Typical Weight of a Turkey Breast
On average, a whole bone-in turkey breast weighs between 6 to 7 pounds. Once cooked, this will provide about 3 to 3.5 pounds of cooked turkey meat.
The weight can vary based on the size and breed of the turkey. Heritage and organic turkeys tend to be smaller than conventionally raised birds.
Here are some typical size ranges for whole turkey breasts
- Small: 5 to 6 pounds
- Average: 6 to 7 pounds
- Large: 7 to 8 pounds
- Extra large: 8 to 10 pounds
Boneless turkey breast halves generally range from 2 to 4 pounds each. Again, expect around half the uncooked weight in edible cooked meat.
How Much Turkey Breast Per Person?
A common rule of thumb is to plan for 1⁄2 to 1 pound of uncooked turkey meat per person. This accounts for meat that is lost in cooking and provides ample leftovers.
Based on this guideline:
- A 6 to 7 pound whole turkey breast will feed 6 to 8 people
- A 3 to 4 pound boneless turkey breast half will feed 3 to 4 people
Use the chart below as a general turkey breast size guide per number of guests:
| Number of People | Turkey Breast Size |
|-|-|-|
| 2 | 1 to 1.5 pounds boneless |
| 4 | 3 to 4 pounds boneless |
| 6-8 | 6 to 7 pounds whole |
| 10-12 | 9 to 10 pounds whole |
| 14-16 | 12 to 14 pounds whole |
These portion estimates are based on serving turkey breast as the main course along with traditional holiday sides. Adjust amounts accordingly if you’ll also be serving ham or other proteins.
Buying the Right Size Turkey Breast
When purchasing your holiday turkey breast, it’s better to err on the side of having leftovers than not buying enough. Turkey meat keeps well in the refrigerator for 3-4 days and can be used in soups, sandwiches, casseroles and other recipes.
For small gatherings of 2-4 people, boneless turkey breast halves offer the right amount without waste. Pick a 3-4 pound boneless half turkey breast.
For medium to large gatherings of 6-16 people, a whole bone-in turkey breast is a great option. Choose a size in the range of 6 pounds for 6 people up to 14 pounds for a crowd of 16.
If you’ll need more meat than one whole turkey breast provides, you can cook two smaller breasts rather than one oversized turkey. Multiple smaller breasts will cook more evenly.
Organic and free-range turkeys are smaller than conventional birds, so increase the poundage if choosing one of these specialty breeds.
When estimating how many pounds you need, also consider if you’ll want ample leftovers for sandwiches and creative recipes. It’s better to have too much than not enough of this delicious holiday meat.
Buying Turkey Breast Based on Meal Plans
If you want to be more precise with portions, think about your full holiday menu before purchasing a turkey breast.
- Will turkey be the only main protein or will you also serve ham or other meats?
- Do you plan to use some of the cooked turkey for casseroles or soup?
- How many adults versus smaller-appetite children will be dining?
Work backwards from your meal plan to calculate exactly how much turkey is needed for each dish, then add a pound or two for leftovers.
For example, if your menu includes turkey, stuffing, soup and sandwiches:
- Estimate amount needed for sliced turkey servings
- Add turkey for stuffing and soup recipes
- Add 1-2 pounds extra for leftovers
This meal-based approach helps ensure you get an appropriately-sized turkey breast for your holiday meals.
Purchasing Turkey Breasts
You can find whole turkey breasts and boneless halves at well-stocked supermarkets year-round. Availability improves as the holidays approach.
For premium quality, order from a trusted online purveyor like Perdue Farms. They offer both conventional and organic turkeys and turkey breasts.
Be sure to plan ahead and order your holiday turkey breast 1-2 weeks in advance if possible. This ensures you get the size you need before quantities become limited.
Get the Perfect Turkey Breast This Holiday Season
With proper planning and by following this handy poundage guide, you’ll be ready to roast up the ideal turkey breast this year. A beautifully browned, juicy turkey breast really sets the tone for a memorable holiday feast. Confidently order the right size bird for your gathering and leave the cooking to Perdue Farms.
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What if I’m serving a large crowd?
Of course, every rule has an exception. If you’re cooking for more than 16 people, buy one 12- to 14-pound bird and a breast instead of roasting a mammoth turkey (anything over 15 pounds will likely dry out by the time it’s cooked through). Prepare and roast the whole turkey on the upper rack of your oven and the breast on the lower rack.
- One 12- to 14-lb whole turkey and one 6- to 10-lb bone-in breast
- Dry mix stuffing (36 oz)
- Potatoes (10 lbs)
- Sweet potatoes (10 lbs)
- Canned cranberry sauce (four 14-oz cans)
- Pie (3–4)
- Brussels sprouts (4.5 lbs)
- Green beans (6 lbs)
How much turkey per person do I need?
Our recommendation is to plan for one pound of turkey per person, or ½ pound per person for a boneless turkey breast. If youre buying a bone-in turkey breast, figure on 3/4 pound per person.
- Whole turkey (8 lbs)
- Dry mix stuffing (12 oz)
- Potatoes (4 lbs)
- Sweet potatoes (4 lbs)
- Canned cranberry sauce (two 14-oz cans)
- Pie (1–2)
- Brussels sprouts (1.5 lbs)
- Green beans (2 lbs)
- Whole turkey (16 lbs)
- Dry mix stuffing (24 oz)
- Potatoes (8 lbs)
- Sweet potatoes (8 lbs)
- Canned cranberry sauce (three 14-oz cans)
- Pie (2–3)
- Brussels sprouts (3 lbs)
- Green beans (4 lbs)
How long does it take to cook an 8 pound turkey breast at 350?
FAQ
What is the average weight of a turkey breast?
How many people will a 7 pound turkey breast feed?
How many pounds is a boneless turkey breast?
How large is a turkey breast for 8 adults?
How much does a turkey breast weigh?
You can expect to find turkey breasts weighing between 4 and 8 pounds when you buy them at the supermarket, although there may also be larger specimens available. On average, the breast portion of a turkey will weigh in between 4 and 8 pounds. You might be able to procure larger ones, but they’re unlikely to come much smaller.
How much turkey breast should I buy for 4 people?
Round up to 1-1/2 pounds per person for bone-in breast and 1 pound per person if you’re hoping to have plenty of meat left over. It’s better to have too much than to have guests go hungry. Therefore, if you’re expecting 4 people, you should buy 5 pounds of bone-in turkey breast or 3 pounds of boneless meat.
How much turkey breast can you eat per person?
With boneless turkey breast, you can round down to 3/4 pound per person. Since there’s less waste when the meat is taken off the bone, you’ll wind up with roughly the same amount of cooked turkey for each person. Round up to 1-1/2 pounds per person for bone-in breast and 1 pound per person if you’re hoping to have plenty of meat left over.
How much turkey breast do you need for a Thanksgiving dinner?
Plan on buying 1-1/4 pounds of bone-in turkey breast for each guest. The bone takes up some of this weight, and the meat will shrink down as it cooks. That should leave you with around 1/2 pound of cooked turkey for each guest, perhaps a bit more. With boneless turkey breast, you can round down to 3/4 pound per person.