Sick of being unsure of how much turkey you need per person? This handy rule will make your Thanksgiving planning so much easier.
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. You’ll want to plan on about 1.25 pounds of turkey per person. That means if you’re expecting 12 guests, plan for a 15-pound bird.
To make things simple, we’ve created a guide to help you pick the perfect-sized turkey for your Thanksgiving dinner menu.
Add a few pounds on for bones and you’ve got your turkey weight. For example, 8 hungry people will require at least 12 pounds, but you might want to skew to a 14-pound turkey to be safe.
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.
More Thanksgiving Dinner Tips
We have a whole guide full of tips for buying turkey, because there’s a lot to consider! Here are a few top-level tips:
- 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.
- After you figure out what size the turkey should be based on how many people you’re serving, double check that the bird will fit into the roasting pan you have at home. Here’s how to know what size roasting pan you’ll need.
- When you’ve got the type of turkey and desired weight figured out, look out for flat spots on the bird. You want to make sure that the breast is especially rounded, which means you’re more likely to end up with juicy meat.
How To Pick The Perfect Size Turkey
FAQ
Is a 12 lb turkey enough for 8 people?
What weight turkey do I need for 8 people?
Will a 16 pound turkey feed 10 people?
How many pounds of turkey do I need for 9 adults?
How many pound turkeys should a 20 year old eat?
Try spatchcocking. A spatchcock turkey will cut the cooking time in half. Another option: cook two smaller turkeys instead. If you’re feeding a crowd of 20, shoot for two 12- to 14-pound turkeys. You could even try different seasoning methods on each and let your guests decide which one they like better.
What is the ideal weight for a 5 feet 8 inch male?
Average weight of 5 feet 8-inch male ranges from 63 to 70 kg. This helps to maintain a normal body mass index. As body mass index varies with height and weight, every individual has their own weight according to height. Though some may have normal weight range and still suffer from metabolic diseases, which is due to accumulation of fat in belly. Hence healthy diet and exercise is necessary even when weight is in normal range, and maintaining it is utmost important.
How much weight can a turkey weigh?
Many will have a limit of 12 to 15 pounds, although the better ones can handle around 20 pounds. Smoking or grilling on indirect heat are a couple of other options for outdoor cooking. Be sure you have plenty of extra charcoal or fuel. Here are some related articles involving turkey as the main course.
How many people can a 8 pound turkey serve?
Most turkey portion serving sizing charts are based using a bone-in turkey. A chart might say 1 to 1.5 pounds of purchased turkey per person, so an 8-pound turkey is allegedly perfect for 6-8 people. I say NO! Initially, the bone removes some of that weight. Secondly, the weight becomes further reduced during cooking.