What Size Turkey Breast Do You Need to Feed 10 Adults?

Planning the perfect Thanksgiving or holiday dinner often means figuring out how much turkey to buy. Specifically, when cooking for 10 adults what size turkey breast should you get? With some simple calculations based on recommended portions you can determine the ideal turkey breast size to serve 10 people moist, flavorful meat without lots of waste.

How Much Turkey Per Person?

The general recommendation is around 1⁄2 pound of cooked, boneless turkey breast meat per adult.

For 10 adults, that equals about 5 pounds of cooked, edible turkey meat.

However, raw turkey loses about half its weight during cooking. And bone-in turkey breast contains inedible bones that add extra weight.

So for 10 adults you need:

• 5 lbs cooked boneless turkey breast
• 10 lbs raw boneless turkey breast
• Or 15-16 lbs raw bone-in turkey breast

This allows each adult guest to get enough tasty white breast meat without too much leftover waste Let’s break down the math

Calculating Boneless vs. Bone-In Turkey Breast

Figuring sizes gets tricky depending on whether you buy boneless turkey breast or leave the bone in. Here’s a simple comparison:

• Boneless breast loses about half its raw weight during cooking.
• Bone-in breast includes about 30% inedible bone weight.

So if you need 5 pounds of cooked boneless breast, you should get:

• 10 pounds raw boneless breast
• Or 15-16 pounds raw bone-in breast

The bones account for those extra 5-6 pounds with a bone-in breast. Remove them before carving to end up with a similar amount of edible turkey as a boneless breast.

Finding the Right Turkey Breast Size

Many grocery stores sell turkey breasts in 2-3 pound increments. Here are some good options in the 15-16 pound range:

• 16 lb bone-in breast (perfect size!)
• Two 8 lb bone-in breasts (may fit better in small ovens)
• 15 lb bone-in breast (trim off any extra pounds)
• 14 lb bone-in breast + 2 lb boneless breast

Call your local grocer ahead of time to see what’s in stock. Most can order the size you need, but it helps to provide some options.

Should You Go Bigger?

The 1⁄2 pound per person rule prevents lots of wasted leftovers. But here are some reasons you may want to upsize:

• Big eaters in the group who devour 1+ pounds each
• Wanting more leftovers for sandwiches, soup, casseroles
• Needing more white meat than dark meat
• Limits on turkey breast sizes available

With these situations, consider sizing up to an 18-20 lb turkey breast for 10 people.

Round Out the Meal with Sides

Even if your budget forces you to buy a smaller turkey breast, you can augment it with hearty side dishes like:

• Fluffy mashed potatoes or dressing
• Warm rolls with butter
• Rich gravy or tangy cranberry sauce
• Savory roasted vegetables
• Leafy green salad
• Decadent desserts

Generous portions of favorite side dishes will help a 10-12 lb turkey feel like a feast.

Try Alternative Turkey Cooking Methods

If finding a large enough whole breast is difficult, get creative with these options:

• Rotisserie chicken
• Turkey tenderloins (cook faster than breast)
• Turkey drumsticks
• Cornish game hens
• Turkey thighs (more dark meat)
• Thin turkey scaloppini cutlets
• Ground turkey

All provide tasty alternatives to turkey breast for smaller groups.

Turkey Breast Cooking Times

Cook times vary slightly for boneless vs. bone-in:

• Boneless breast: About 1 hour 15 minutes at 350°F
• Bone-in breast: Around 1 hour 30-45 minutes at 350°F

Always use a meat thermometer to ensure safety and doneness. Turkey is safe at 165°F. Allow to rest 10 minutes before carving.

FAQs About Turkey Breast Sizes for 10 Adults

How many pounds of turkey per person should I buy?

Plan for 1⁄2 pound of cooked boneless turkey breast per person, or 3⁄4 pound per person if bone-in.

What if I have extra big eaters in the group?

Add an extra 1⁄4-1⁄2 pound of turkey breast per extra hungry guest.

Should I buy a whole turkey instead?

For 10 people, a turkey breast is often easier. A whole bird for 10 may be too large and lead to dryness.

Can I use two smaller turkey breasts instead of one big one?

Yes, two 8 lb bone-in breasts can work well, especially for fitting in smaller ovens.

Is it better to go too small or too big?

Too big, for tasty leftovers! Just avoid huge 20+ lb birds that may dry out.

How can I round out the meal if my turkey breast is small?

Focus on generous portions of savory sides like dressing, potatoes, veggies, rolls, gravy, cranberry sauce, etc.

The Takeaway

When cooking turkey breast for 10 adults, allow for 5 pounds of cooked, boneless meat, which equals about 15-16 pounds of raw bone-in turkey breast. Call the grocery store ahead to ensure you can get the right size. And pair it with plenty of hearty side dishes and sauces for a perfect holiday feast!