How Much Turkey Do You Need Per Person?

No matter how often you host Thanksgiving, one big question remains the same: Exactly how much turkey do I need to make per person? The turkey’s size determines how big of a helping each guest receives—not to mention how much will remain for leftover turkey recipes.

If you want to ensure your Thanksgiving turkey recipe will prepare enough turkey for every guest, plan on 1-1/4 pounds of turkey per person. Once you know the exact number of attendees, use this formula: Number of guests x 1.25, then round up to the nearest whole number. So, if you’re expecting 12 guests, plan for a 15-pound bird.

To simplify things, we’ve created a guide to help you pick the perfect-sized turkey for your Thanksgiving dinner menu.

How Much Turkey Per Person for Thanksgiving

Download Chart

You can use this handy chart to determine the perfect size turkey for your Thanksgiving celebration. Preparing 1-1/4 pounds of turkey per person may seem like a lot, but remember that this weight includes parts that you won’t eat (like the bones).

If your guest count includes a lot of kids, simply round down when calculating how much turkey to make per person. The kids may not eat as much turkey and go for the rolls and Thanksgiving sides instead, filling their stomachs with creamy mashed potatoes and cheese and crackers from a Thanksgiving charcuterie board.

What size turkey should I buy to feed a large group?

You don’t have to buy one large turkey to feed a crowd. Large turkeys are heavy and take a long time to cook. Instead, try dividing the total number of pounds by two and buying two smaller birds. Cooking a small turkey is quicker, and the meat will cook more evenly.

If your family and friends don’t love turkey, consider making a smaller turkey plus a different type of meat, such as a spiral ham or an orange-glazed pork loin. You can also augment the meal with sides like stuffing recipes or alternative Thanksgiving main dishes, including vegetarian-friendly options like pumpkin lasagna or sweet potato tortellini.

Can you make more light meat vs. dark meat?

If your guests strongly prefer light or dark meat, it’s easy to grab a few extra cuts to ensure you have enough of the desired kind. Prepare turkey breast recipes for light meat lovers, or whip up turkey leg recipes to have more dark meat available. Or skip the whole turkey altogether and only prepare the turkey cut your crowd prefers.

How to Choose a Great Turkey Recipe

It’s 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 grilled turkey recipe. It frees up the oven to make Thanksgiving sides and keeps clean-up to a minimum.
• For small groups: This slow-cooker turkey breast recipe is an easy way to cook turkey breast. If you prefer to use the oven, try this roasted turkey breast recipe.

Once you’ve chosen the perfect turkey recipe, make sure you know how to prepare it! This handy guide tells you exactly how long to cook a turkey.

How to Serve and Store Thanksgiving Turkey

Once the turkey is out of the oven, let it rest for 20 to 30 minutes. Then, use our tips on how to carve a turkey to create beautiful slices. Arrange the meat on a platter so your guests can choose which piece they like.

When everyone is finished eating, don’t forget about the leftovers. Store the meat in an airtight container in the fridge for up to four days. We like to reheat turkey in the oven with a bit of gravy, broth or butter to keep it nice and juicy.

More Thanksgiving Dinner Tips

How do you choose a turkey?

We have a whole guide of tips for buying turkey because there’s a lot to consider! Here are a few top-level tips:

• Decide if you want to brine the turkey: If you plan to brine a turkey at home, make sure the bird is not labeled as kosher, enhanced or self-basting. These labels indicate that the turkey has already been brined.
• Consider the turkey’s size: After calculating the turkey’s size based on the number of people you’re serving, determine what size roasting pan you’ll need—and double-check that the bird will fit into the one you have at home.
• Look for a well-rounded bird: When shopping for a turkey, look for a bird with a well-rounded shape. The breast should be especially rounded, which indicates that the meat will be especially juicy. Avoid turkeys with flat spots, a sign that the bird may have been thawed and refrozen.

How much stuffing do you need for Thanksgiving?

Plan to serve about 3/4 cup of stuffing per guest or roughly 4 cups of prepared stuffing for every five guests. However, if you have grand plans for using leftovers in stuffin’ muffins or stuffing crust turkey potpie, feel free to make a little bit more.

When it comes to stuffing, you can go savory or sweet—or both. Whichever you choose, we recommend cooking the stuffing outside of the turkey. It is safe to make a stuffed turkey, but the meat tends to turn out dry. Instead, try other ways to stuff a turkey, like vegetables, fruits or herbs for added flavor.

How many side dishes should you have on Thanksgiving?

How many side dishes you need depends on your guest list, oven space and family traditions. We suggest making two to four of your family’s favorite sides, then encouraging guests to bring any other must-have dishes. Rolls, cranberry sauce and Thanksgiving desserts are easy to outsource.

How long does it take to thaw a turkey?

Depending on its size, defrosting a turkey can take several hours or a few days. Once you’ve bought the perfect bird, decide whether to thaw it in the fridge or cold water.

The refrigerator method requires 24 hours for every 4 pounds of turkey. Once thawed, you can wait a day or two after thawing to cook it. The cold water method requires less time but a little more math. Thawing takes 30 minutes per pound, but you’ll need to change the water every 30 minutes. Turkeys thawed in cold water also have to be cooked immediately after thawing.