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.
As Thanksgiving approaches, one of the biggest decisions is determining what size turkey to buy With so many options from small birds to massive 25-pounders, it can be tricky to figure out exactly how big of a turkey you need Follow this guide on turkey sizes to pick the perfect bird for your holiday table.
Factors That Determine Turkey Size
Several key factors go into choosing what size turkey to purchase:
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Number of guests – The more people attending, the larger your turkey needs to be. Make a list and get an accurate headcount before shopping.
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Leftovers – Do you want leftovers? Plan for 1-1.5 pounds per person if you do. Get 1 pound per person for just enough.
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Types of eaters – Big eaters or those with hearty appetites need more turkey per person Scale up if your guests tend to have second helpings
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Ages of guests – Adjust for kids who will eat smaller portions. Stick to the lower end of the 1-1.5 pound per person range with lots of young guests.
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Other main dishes – Adding a ham or other entree? You may need less turkey with a second main dish on the table.
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Appetizers – Lots of filling apps means your guests may consume less turkey. Factor in appetizers when deciding turkey size.
Considering these factors will help you narrow down the appropriate turkey weight for your Thanksgiving group.
Turkey Serving Size Chart
Use this turkey size chart as a starting point to pick a size based on the number of adult guests:
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2 to 4 people = 3 to 6 pound turkey
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6 to 8 people = 9 to 12 pound turkey
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10 to 12 people = 15 to 18 pound turkey
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14 to 16 people = 21 to 24 pound turkey
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18 to 20 people = 27 to 30 pound turkey
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22 to 24 people = 33 to 36 pound turkey
For kids, estimate 1 pound or less per child depending on age and appetite. Add about 3 pounds if you want ample leftovers.
Should I Buy a Whole Turkey or Just Breasts?
Whole turkeys are classic for Thanksgiving and allow you to use the bones for stock. However, a bone-in breast may be easier for a smaller gathering. Calculate about 1 pound of boneless, skinless breast meat per person.
Benefits of buying a whole turkey:
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Typically lower cost per pound compared to just breasts
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Ability to use the bones, neck, giblets to make stock
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More traditional presentation with the full bird on the table
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More variety with both white and dark meat
Reasons to consider just breasts:
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Easier to cook evenly since breasts cook quicker than dark meat
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Less waste for a smaller group versus a whole bird
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Quicker thawing time compared to a frozen whole turkey
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Lower cost overall if you only need to feed a few people
No matter which you choose, estimate 1-1.5 pounds per adult guest as a starting point.
Should I Buy Fresh or Frozen?
Both fresh and frozen turkey have pros and cons:
Fresh turkey benefits:
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No thawing time required
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Can be purchased closer to when you need it
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Perceived as more natural or premium by some
Frozen turkey benefits:
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Typically lower cost than fresh options
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Can buy well in advance of holiday when selection is best
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Extended shelf life compared to fresh
Whichever you buy, make sure to use proper storage. Store fresh turkeys in the fridge 1-2 days max. Keep frozen turkeys in the freezer at 0°F or below.
Allow at least 24 hours fridge thawing time per 4-5 pounds of turkey. A frozen bird needs 4-5 full days to thaw in the refrigerator.
How Big of a Turkey Should I Buy?
Use the turkey size chart and this guidance to pick the ideal turkey weight:
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For 4 to 8 adults, buy an 8 to 15 pound turkey
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For 10 to 16 adults, choose a 15 to 22 pound turkey
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For 16 to 22 adults, go with a 22 to 28 pound bird
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Add 3 extra pounds if you want lots of leftovers
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Adjust up for big eaters, down for extra kids
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Subtract a few pounds if you’ll have other main dishes
Stick within the recommended size for the number of guests so you don’t end up with wasted turkey. Better to have a little leftover than way too much.
Alternatives to a Large Whole Turkey
For feeding just a few people, skip the massive bird. Consider these options instead:
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Cook a turkey breast (bone-in or boneless)
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Roast a turkey leg or thigh
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Make turkey cutlets, schnitzel, or meatballs
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Fry or grill turkey tenderloins
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Cook a small whole chicken or game hens
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Prepare a ham, rack of lamb, or beef tenderloin
Let your guest list guide you. Pick the right turkey size or an alternative to suit the group. With smart planning, you’ll serve the perfect bird for Thanksgiving.
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.
Expert’s Guide to Shopping for Turkey
FAQ
What is the best size of turkey to buy?
How many people will a 15 pound turkey feed?
Is it better to buy one large turkey or two smaller ones?
What size turkey breast for 8 adults?
What size Turkey should I buy?
One of the most frequently asked questions is what size turkey to buy. The rule of thumb is 1 1/2 pounds of turkey per person with leftovers and 1 pound of turkey per person without leftovers. If your guest list includes a lot of kids, lean towards a smaller size turkey. If your guests are big eaters, lean towards a larger turkey.
How much raw turkey per person?
That equals one pound of raw turkey per adult and 2/3 of a pound per child. If you’re concerned that’s not enough or you want to ensure there will be plenty of leftovers to go around, consider purchasing 1 1/2 pounds of raw turkey per person attending.
How much Turkey should a 10 pound turkey eat?
The end goal is 1/2 a pound of turkey per adult and 1/3 of a pound per child at the dinner table. So if you’re serving a holiday dinner of 10 adults, you need five pounds of cooked turkey in total. We know we’re going to lose roughly 50% of the weight of a whole bird through cooking and the bones. So you’ll want a 10-pound turkey.
How many turkeys should a family eat?
For large groups of people, consider buying a couple of smaller turkeys to match the pound per person rule. So if you need to feed 60 people, buy two turkeys that are around 20 pounds each. Families that prefer white meat might also want to consider just buying turkey breast (or a couple extra in addition to the bird) for your meal.