Every item on this page was chosen by a The Pioneer Woman editor. We may earn commission on some of the items you choose to buy.
Theres a good reason why Thanksgiving is also called Turkey Day—its because everyone wants to eat the turkey! But how much turkey do you need to feed everyone around your holiday table? The big showstopping centerpiece is one of the most important items on your Thanksgiving shopping list, so youll want to know just how many pounds of turkey you need per person before you go place an order. Luckily, we have a simple formula to help you figure it out! So, you can get back to deciding which turkey recipe you want to make.
The general rule of thumb is to plan for 1 1/4 pounds of turkey per guest, which takes into account the bones and other inedible parts of the turkey. That should be plenty especially with everyones favorite Thanksgiving side dishes on the dinner table. But of course, if you have any staunch white or dark meat fans, or want to send everyone home with a bag of leftovers, you could always aim for 1 1/2 pounds to 2 pounds per person. That way, everyone is guaranteed to get their favorite cut and theres plenty to make leftover turkey pot pie the next day.
Figuring out how much turkey breast to buy and prepare for Thanksgiving or any large gathering can be tricky You want to make sure you have enough so that everyone gets their fill, but you also don’t want to end up with a huge amount of leftovers. In this article, I’ll walk you through a simple guide to determining the perfect amount of turkey breast for 10 guests
Start by Considering Your Guests
When calculating how much turkey breast to buy, your first step is to think about who will be attending your dinner
- Will it be all adults? Kids and adults? Large appetites or small?
These factors will play a role in how much turkey you need to purchase. Generally speaking, adults will consume more than children. However, appetites do vary quite a bit from person to person.
To keep things simple, I recommend basing your calculations on the average adult appetite. But do take a moment to think if you have any extra hungry guests attending who may want larger portions. You can always add an extra 1⁄4 to 1⁄2 pound of turkey breast for them specifically.
Bone-In vs Boneless Turkey Breast
The next consideration is whether you will be cooking a bone-in or boneless turkey breast. This makes a difference in how much you will need to purchase per person.
Bone-In Turkey Breast
- With a bone-in breast, the bones add extra weight.
- Since bones are not edible, you have to account for them when calculating how much turkey meat each person will actually eat.
- For bone-in, plan on approximately 3⁄4 pound of turkey per person.
Boneless Turkey Breast
- Boneless turkey breast has no bones, so the weight on the packaging reflects only edible turkey meat.
- For boneless, plan on approximately 1⁄2 pound per person.
How Much for 10 Guests
Now we can put this all together to determine how much turkey breast to purchase for 10 guests.
Boneless Turkey Breast for 10
If serving boneless turkey breast:
- Plan on 1⁄2 pound per person
- For 10 guests, you will need:
- 10 people x 1⁄2 pound per person = 5 pounds
So for 10 guests, purchase 5 pounds of boneless turkey breast.
Bone-In Turkey Breast for 10
If serving bone-in turkey breast:
- Plan on 3⁄4 pound per person
- For 10 guests, you will need:
- 10 people x 3⁄4 pound per person = 7.5 pounds
So for 10 guests, purchase 7.5 pounds of bone-in turkey breast.
Tips for Leftovers and Extras
When calculating turkey portions, it’s always better to have extra than not enough. Here are some tips:
- For kids under 12, reduce portions by 1⁄4 pound.
- Round up – if your estimate lands between two pounds, round up to the nearest pound.
- Add 1⁄2 to 1 pound extra as a buffer. Turkey leftovers make amazing sandwiches!
And if you do end up with extras, here are some delicious ways to use up leftover turkey breast:
- Turkey tetrazzini
- Turkey noodle soup
- Turkey salad sandwiches
- Turkey enchiladas
- Turkey pot pie
Recap of Turkey Portions for 10:
- Boneless turkey breast – Purchase 5 pounds
- Bone-in turkey breast – Purchase 7.5 pounds
Following this simple formula will help ensure you buy just the right amount of turkey for your 10 guests. Focus on the number of adult-size appetites, factor in whether the turkey breast is bone-in or boneless, and add a small buffer for leftovers.
With just a bit of easy math and planning, you’ll serve the perfect portion of delicious, juicy turkey breast that will leave your guests satisfied. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving meal!
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 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:
Simple Oven Roasted Turkey Breast
FAQ
How many pounds of turkey breast for 10 people?
Is a 15 lb turkey enough for 10 people?
How many pounds of turkey do I need for a family of 10?
|
Number of Guests
|
Turkey Weight–
|
|
8
|
10lbs
|
|
10
|
13lbs
|
|
12
|
15lbs
|
|
15
|
20lbs
|
How many will a 5 lb turkey breastfeed?