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.
When planning a holiday feast, one of the most important pieces of information you need is how much turkey to buy. You want enough so everyone gets a generous portion, plus a little extra for tasty leftovers But you don’t want to overbuy and waste food and money So how much does a 20 lb turkey actually feed?
Key Factors That Determine Turkey Servings
There are a few key factors that will determine how many people a 20 lb turkey will feed
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Number of guests – Obviously the more people eating, the more turkey you’ll need.
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Ages of guests – Kids and seniors often eat smaller portions than adult men.
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Side dishes – If you’ll have a lot of sides, people may fill up on those rather than turkey.
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Leftovers – Do you want leftovers? Buying extra allows for turkey sandwiches, casseroles, soup, etc later.
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Shrinkage – A raw turkey loses around 25% weight during cooking due to moisture loss.
Recommended Amounts of Turkey Per Person
As a general guideline, plan on about 1 to 1 1/4 lbs of raw turkey per person. This allows for approximately 3/4 pound or 6-8 ounces of cooked turkey meat per serving. Here are some common recommendations:
- General estimate: 1 lb per person
- For more leftovers: 1 1/4 lbs per person
- For kids under 12: 3/4 lb to 1 lb per child
- With lots of sides: 3/4 lb per person
Using these approximations, a 20 lb turkey should feed:
- 16 people (1 1/4 lbs each)
- 20 people (1 lb each)
- 14-18 people allowing for leftovers
Getting the Right Turkey Size
Here are some tips for getting the right size turkey for your holiday meal:
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Make a guest list and add up totals using portion guidelines above.
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Read the label carefully – turkeys are sold by total weight including bones, giblets, etc.
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Allow 1-2 extra pounds if you want ample leftovers.
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Buy two smaller birds rather than one giant turkey if needed for a crowd.
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Consider getting a turkey breast or two if you have a smaller gathering.
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Shop early – grocery stores sell out of larger birds quickly for holidays.
Cooking Time Differences for Whole Turkeys
One thing to keep in mind is that the larger the raw turkey, the longer it takes to cook. Here are some general turkey cooking times as the weight increases:
- 8-12 lbs: 2 1/2 – 3 hours
- 12-14 lbs: 3 – 3 1/2 hours
- 14-18 lbs: 3 1/2 – 4 hours
- 18-20 lbs: 4 – 4 1/2 hours
- 20-24 lbs: 4 1/2 – 5 hours
As you can see, a 20 lb turkey will take over 4 hours to roast in the oven. Be sure to plan accordingly so your turkey is ready on time!
Getting the Most Out of Your Leftovers
One great thing about having leftovers is you can create fun new dishes! Here are some delicious ways to use up leftover turkey:
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Turkey sandwiches – Get creative with different breads, cheeses, toppings, and condiments.
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Turkey casserole – Mix turkey with rice or pasta, veggies, broth and bake.
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Turkey tetrazzini – Turkey, noodles, mushrooms, spinach, and a creamy sauce.
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Turkey soup – Simmer the carcass for stock then add veggies, noodles and turkey.
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Turkey salad – Toss chopped turkey with mayo, celery, cranberries, greens, etc.
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Turkey pot pie – Make a creamy sauce and top pie crust with turkey, potatoes, carrots, peas.
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Turkey enchiladas – Wrap tortillas around turkey, cheese, beans, sauce and bake.
So don’t be afraid to get a bigger bird – that leftover turkey can make for amazing meals all week long after your holiday feast!
FAQs About 20 lb Turkey Servings
How long does it take to cook a 20 lb turkey?
A 20 lb turkey will take approximately 4 1/2 – 5 hours to roast fully in the oven at 325°F. Always use a meat thermometer to confirm it reaches 165°F.
Should I buy a 20 lb turkey for 10 people?
A 20 lb turkey would be on the large side for only 10 people. A 12-15 lb turkey would likely be sufficient unless you want a ton of leftovers.
Can I freeze leftover turkey after Thanksgiving?
Yes, you can safely freeze cooked turkey meat for 2-6 months. Portion it out in sealed freezer bags or airtight containers for easy thawing later.
What’s the average weight of a Thanksgiving turkey?
The average Thanksgiving turkey is 15 lbs. However, 20-30 lb birds are common for the holiday to allow for lots of leftovers.
How long does it take to thaw a 20 lb frozen turkey?
A frozen 20 lb turkey needs about 5 days to thaw in the refrigerator. Submerge in cold water for faster thawing of 2-3 days if needed.
Get the Perfect Bird for Your Holiday Feast
When shopping for your holiday meal, use a calculation of around 1 – 1 1/4 lbs of turkey per person as a guideline for getting the right size bird. Aim for a 20 lb turkey if you have about 16 guests, allowing for leftovers. With proper planning, you’ll have the right amount of delicious turkey on hand to feed family and friends without overspending.
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.
How to Figure Out How Much Turkey Per Person
–Number of Guests – |
Turkey Weight– |
| 4 | 5lbs |
| 6 | 8lbs |
| 8 | 10lbs |
| 10 | 13lbs |
| 12 | 15lbs |
| 15 | 20lbs |
| 20 | 25lbs |
| 25 | 32lbs |
If you have a large number of kids coming, simply round down when calculating your turkey. The kids usually go for the rolls and Thanksgiving side dishes anyway—filling up their stomachs with mashed potatoes, stuffing, and cheese and crackers off of a Thanksgiving charcuterie board.