How Much Turkey Do You Need Per Person?

No matter how often I host Thanksgiving or Friendsgiving, I always second-guess myself: Exactly how much turkey per person should I make? The turkey’s size determines how big a helping each guest receives—not to mention how much will remain for the coveted leftovers. The number is so specific that I never remember it right off the bat. And because the size of the turkey changes depending on the number of guests, I can’t just rely on the bird I used for last year’s Thanksgiving turkey recipe.

Luckily, there’s an easy formula to ensure you’ll create enough food for every guest. To further simplify things, we’ve created a guide to help you pick the perfect-sized turkey for your Thanksgiving dinner menu. Once decided, there are usually some follow-up questions, like whether it’s better to buy one huge bird or two small ones, and how to thaw and season your bird. We’ve got you covered with those answers, too.

How much turkey should I buy per person?

We generally recommend buying 1-1/4 pounds of turkey per person. That may seem like a lot, but remember that this is the raw weight, which includes excess water that evaporates during cooking and inedible weight (like the bones). You can use this easy formula: multiply the number of guests by 1.25, then round up to the nearest whole number. So, if you’re expecting 12 guests, plan for a 15-pound bird.

Sometimes, it’s best to overestimate the amount of turkey people will eat. Maybe you didn’t plan a lot of Thanksgiving sides, or maybe you want to make sure there are leftovers. Feel free to increase the amount per person to 1-1/2 pounds. It is Thanksgiving, after all, so everyone will probably go back for seconds and take leftovers home.

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 sides instead, filling their stomachs with creamy mashed potatoes and the cheese and crackers from your Thanksgiving charcuterie board.

Do I have to buy one large turkey to feed a crowd?

You don’t have to buy one large turkey to feed a crowd. Large turkeys are heavy and take a long time to cook, so you can easily divide the total number of pounds in two and buy two smaller birds. Cooking a small turkey (or a deconstructed turkey!) is quicker, and the meat will cook more evenly.

When it comes to buying a turkey, there’s a lot to consider. Here are a few top-level tips to help you narrow things down:

• Decide if you want to brine the turkey: If you plan to brine a turkey at home, make sure the bird isn’t labeled as kosher, enhanced or self-basting. These labels indicate that the turkey has already been brined or salted.
• 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. Then, double-check that the bird will fit into the one you have at home.
• Look for a well-rounded bird: The breast should be especially rounded, which indicates that the meat will be particularly juicy. Avoid turkeys with flat spots, a sign that the bird may have been thawed and refrozen.

Can I make more white or dark meat?

A whole turkey has a set amount of white meat (breasts and wings) and dark meat (thighs and drumsticks), but you can easily cook turkey cuts on the side to adjust the ratios. Pick up an extra turkey breast if your guests strongly prefer white meat, or whip up some turkey legs to have more dark meat available. Try mixing and matching cooking methods to maximize your oven space.

• For large groups: Prepare your favorite turkey recipe and make extra grilled turkey legs or grilled turkey breast on the side. Grilling frees up the oven to make Thanksgiving sides and keeps clean-up to a minimum.
• For smaller groups: Try pairing a small turkey with slow-cooker turkey breast or slow-cooked turkey leg pot roast.

If your family and friends don’t love turkey, skip the whole bird and just make the white or dark meat. You can augment the meal with alternative Thanksgiving main dishes like vegetarian-friendly pumpkin lasagna.

How many side dishes do I need for Thanksgiving?

We generally recommend having two to four side dishes, but the total number depends on your guest list, oven space and family traditions. Try making three to five of your family’s favorite sides and encouraging guests to bring their favorite non-traditional Thanksgiving sides. Rolls, cranberry sauce and Thanksgiving desserts are easy to outsource.

More Thanksgiving Dinner Tips

How long does it take to thaw a turkey?

Depending on its size, defrosting a turkey can take several hours or a few days. The refrigerator method is the safest, but the most time-consuming. It requires 24 hours for every 4 pounds of turkey. Once thawed, you can wait a day or two before cooking it, and you can refreeze it if necessary.

The cold water thawing 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 and cannot be refrozen.

How do I store leftover Thanksgiving turkey?

Store leftover Thanksgiving turkey 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. Most Thanksgiving leftovers are good for around three days when stored in the fridge, so don’t be shy about eating up those leftovers!

What can I do with my Thanksgiving turkey leftovers?

No matter how much turkey you have, there are an endless number of leftover turkey recipes to try. If you only have a few turkey leftovers, whip up an easy dish like turkey melt sandwiches, quesadillas or pizza. If you have quite a bit left over, make casseroles, turkey lattice pie, turkey tettrazini or turkey enchiladas.