No matter how often you host Thanksgiving, one big question remains the same: Exactly how much turkey do I need to make? Turkey size is important since it will determine how big of a helping each guest gets—not to mention how much will be left for Thanksgiving leftovers.
Once you know the exact number of attendees, use this formula: Number of guests x 1.25. Youll want to plan on about 1.25 pounds of turkey per person. That means if youre expecting 12 guests, plan for a 15-pound bird.
To make things simple, weve created a guide to help you pick the perfect-sized turkey for your Thanksgiving dinner menu.
Thanksgiving is coming up, which means it’s time to start planning your holiday meal The centerpiece of any Thanksgiving table is typically a roasted turkey But if you’re hosting Thanksgiving dinner this year, how do you figure out how big of a bird to buy? Determining how many pounds of turkey you need per person can be tricky.
Follow this guide for tips on calculating the right turkey size for your gathering.
The General Rule of Thumb
The general rule of thumb is to plan for 1–11⁄2 pounds of turkey per person. So if you’re having 10 guests you’ll want a 15-20 pound turkey.
That may seem like a lot per person, but remember that with a whole turkey, a decent amount of weight comes from bones and other inedible parts. The meat that ends up on your plate will be less than the total poundage of the raw bird.
Factor In Your Guests’ Appetites
Consider the appetites of your guests when determining turkey portions. Are there any big eaters in the bunch? Or are some guests likely to fill up on sides?
If you have hearty eaters attending, it’s better to err on the side of caution and get a turkey on the larger side or plan for extra white meat.
For smaller groups, increasing portions to around 2 pounds per person helps guarantee ample leftovers.
Supplement with Other Main Dishes
Even if your turkey seems on the small side, you can supplement it with other proteins. Add a baked ham, beef tenderloin, or salmon fillet to your spread.
Having an extra main dish ensures there’s enough food to go around, while allowing your turkey to stretch further. Aim for 1-1.5 total pounds of protein per guest.
Cook Two Smaller Birds
Instead of one huge turkey, consider cooking two smaller birds. Multiple smaller turkeys often cook more evenly.
Cutting a large turkey into parts is another option. Legs and breasts cook best at different temperatures and times.
Allow Oven Space for Sides
Your turkey isn’t the only item cooking Thanksgiving day. Don’t let it monopolize oven space needed for side dishes and pies.
A reasonably sized bird leaves room for baking casseroles, roasting vegetables, and reheating rolls.
Grilling Turkey Parts
Take the burden off your kitchen oven by grilling turkey pieces outside. Separated breasts, thighs, and legs cook quickly over a hot grill.
This frees up interior oven space while adding delicious smoky flavor.
Make the Most of Leftovers
Leftover turkey can be reinvented into many dishes, like soup, tacos, sandwiches, and shepherd’s pie.
Don’t go overboard buying an excessively large turkey just for leftovers. A reasonably sized bird still provides plenty.
The Ideal Turkey Size
For most gatherings, a 12-15 pound turkey provides ample meat without overburdening the cook.
Supplementing with side dishes and other proteins helps guarantee your guests leave full and satisfied.
When calculating turkey needs, focus less on total poundage and more on selecting a manageable size that suits your oven and yields slightly more than enough for all.
Handy Turkey Calculator
Unsure exactly how many pounds to get? Use this handy turkey calculator to determine the ideal size bird for your Thanksgiving gathering.
Simply input the number of guests, and it will calculate the recommended raw turkey weight to buy.
[Embed turkey calculator here]
Turkey Cooking Times
To ensure your turkey cooks perfectly, follow these approximate turkey cooking times per pound:
- Unstuffed turkey: 15 minutes per pound
- Stuffed turkey: 20 minutes per pound
Always use a meat thermometer to confirm your turkey reaches safe internal temperatures.
Whole turkeys and breasts should reach 165°F. Legs and thighs need to hit at least 175°F.
Allow your roasted turkey to rest for 15-20 minutes before carving to allow juices to redistribute.
Handling Leftovers Safely
Proper storage and reheating of leftovers prevents foodborne illness.
Store carved turkey meat in shallow containers in the fridge within 2 hours of cooking. Use within 3-4 days.
When reheating, turkey should reach 165°F. Stuffing and gravy need to hit 165°F too.
Defrost frozen leftovers in the fridge, not on the counter. Never refreeze thawed turkey.
Preparing the Perfect Bird
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Brining or dry rubbing turkey a day ahead helps ensure a flavorful, juicy bird.
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Trussing brings the legs close to the body for more even cooking.
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Tent turkey with foil to prevent over-browning if needed.
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Let roasted turkey rest before carving for better moisture.
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Carve parallel to the breastbone for clean slices. Cut between leg and thigh to separate.
Enjoy Your Turkey!
Preparing the holiday turkey doesn’t have to be stressful. Figure portions using the general 1-1.5 pounds per person guideline. Supplement sides and add other main dishes as needed.
Select a moderately sized bird that fits your oven, allows for sides, and provides some leftovers. Cook thoroughly and handle leftovers safely.
Most importantly, relax and enjoy time with loved ones this Thanksgiving! The turkey is just the tasty centerpiece to a joyful holiday celebration.
What if I’m feeding a large group?
If you have a large family, try dividing your number by two, and buying two smaller birds instead of a single bigger one. This will allow them to cook faster and more evenly.
If you are serving vegetarians or vegans, make sure you have an alternative Thanksgiving main dish as well, such as roasted pumpkin lasagna or sweet potato tortellini.
If your family and friends simply dont love turkey, you could make a smaller turkey plus a different type of meat, such as a spiral ham or an orange-glazed pork loin.
Light Meat vs. Dark MeatIf your guests have a strong preference for light or dark meat, grab a few extra cuts to make sure you have enough of the desired kind. Pick up extra turkey breasts for light meat lovers, and extra legs or thighs to have more dark meat available.If your group only likes one kind, consider skipping the whole turkey altogether and only preparing
Its time to think about turkey prep. While there are many ways to season a turkey, here are two simple recipes to get started:
- For large groups: We love this simple marinated Thanksgiving turkey recipe.
- For small groups: This slow-cooker turkey recipe is an easy way to cook turkey breast.
Once youve chosen the perfect turkey recipe, make sure you know how to prepare it! This handy guide tells you exactly
How many pounds of turkey should you have per person?
FAQ
How many people will a 12 lb turkey feed?
What size turkey for 7 adults?
What size turkey for 12 adults with leftovers?
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Number of Guests
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Turkey Weight–
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10
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13lbs
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12
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15lbs
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15
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20lbs
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20
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25lbs
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What weight turkey do I need for 8 adults?