If youre in charge of planning Thanksgiving this year, consider it a sign that your family and friends have a lot of trust in you! As you plan for the holiday, you might be wondering what size turkey to get for your gathering. Luckily, weve got all the info you need on how much turkey breast per person is recommended for your Thanksgiving dinner. Of course, you can adjust these calculations if you have family members who are likely to come back for extra servings of turkey, as well as those who might skip the turkey altogether and load up on vegetable dishes. Because were all about making sure your holidays run smoothly, weve also included estimates for side dishes and desserts, so you dont need to guess how many pies or pounds of potatoes you might need to grab during your pre-Thanksgiving shop.
Turkey is a traditional centerpiece for holiday meals and family gatherings. Whether you’re cooking a whole turkey or just the breast meat, knowing the weight of a turkey breast can help you determine the right amount to buy and cook. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore the typical size ranges, factors impacting weight, and tips for calculating portions per person.
Average Turkey Breast Weights
On average an intact bone-in turkey breast half weighs between 4 to 8 pounds. However, there’s considerable variation
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Smaller young turkey breasts may only be 2 to 3 pounds. These are uncommon in stores but sometimes found at local farms or markets.
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Extra-large tom turkey breast halves can reach 10 to 12 pounds. Hens tend to have smaller breasts on average
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Heritage and wild turkey varieties generally have lighter breast weights than commercial broad-breasted turkeys.
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Boneless turkey breasts, with all bones removed, range from 2 to 6 pounds. Removing bones and skin reduces overall weight.
So while 5 to 6 pounds is typical, turkey breast sizes span a wide range. Always check packaging for the exact weight.
Factors That Affect Turkey Breast Weight
Several key factors influence the final weight of a turkey breast:
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Breed – Heritage breeds like Narragansett and Bourbon Red have naturally smaller breasts compared to broad-breasted commercial turkeys selectively bred for large breast size.
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Sex – Tom turkeys develop much larger breast muscles and heavier breast weights than hens. Tom breast halves can be dramatically bigger.
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Age – Young “fryer-roaster” turkeys under 16 weeks old have smaller and lighter breasts than fully mature birds.
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Diet – Pasture-raised and organic turkeys that get more exercise and forage a diverse diet are usually lighter than conventionally farmed turkeys.
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Preparation – Boneless turkey breasts are lighter than bone-in. Removing skin and trimming excess fat also reduces weight.
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Enhancements – Some raw turkey breasts are enhanced with a salt solution to add moisture and flavor. This increases the final weight.
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Time of Year – Turkeys reach peak weights right before the holidays in late fall and early winter months.
Calculating Turkey Breast Servings
When estimating how much turkey breast you need, here are some general serving size guidelines per person:
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Boneless breast: Plan on 1/2 pound per person.
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Bone-in breast: Allow 3/4 to 1 full pound per person to account for the bone.
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Smaller appetites: Reduce to 1/3 pound boneless or 1/2 pound bone-in.
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Heartier appetites: Increase to 3/4 pound boneless or 1 1/4 pounds bone-in.
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Leftovers: Add an extra 1/2 to 1 pound boneless or 1 to 1 1/2 pounds bone-in.
These serving sizes provide a starting point, but consider your guests and menu when finalizing quantities. You can always carve and serve extra breast meat if needed.
Comparing Bone-In and Boneless
Bone-in turkey breasts contain the wishbone, rib bones, and partial breastbone still intact. They require carving but bones do add flavor.
Boneless turkey breasts have all bones removed for easier cooking and serving. However, keep in mind that removing bones can dry out the meat and reduce juiciness.
Both bone-in and boneless work well for roasting, smoking, grilling or braising recipes. For easiest handling, boneless may be preferred. But for maximum flavor and juiciness, bone-in is ideal.
Proper Thawing and Cooking
Always thaw frozen turkey breasts completely before cooking. Here are USDA recommended thaw times:
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4 to 12 pound turkey breast: Thaw 24 hours per 5 pounds in the refrigerator.
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4 to 12 pound turkey breast: Thaw 6 hours per 5 pounds in cold water. Change water every 30 minutes.
Once thawed, roast bone-in turkey breasts at 325°F allowing 18-22 minutes per pound, until 165°F internal temperature. Boneless cooks slightly faster at 12-15 minutes per pound.
For smoking around 225-250°F, allow 30-40 minutes per pound for bone-in and boneless to reach 165°F and ensure food safety.
Selecting and Storing Turkey Breasts
When purchasing turkey breasts:
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Choose plump, uniformly shaped breasts. Avoid irregular or misshapen pieces.
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Opt for enhanced or brined turkey breasts for extra moisture and flavor.
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Look for the USDA or FDA inspection seal indicating proper oversight.
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Check sell-by or use-by dates and select the freshest option.
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Store fresh raw turkey breast 1 to 2 days max in the refrigerator. For longer storage, place in a freezer for up to 1 year. Always thaw in the fridge, never at room temp.
From petite 2-3 pound young turkey breasts to giant 12 pound tom turkey breasts, the range of turkey breast sizes is immense. Typically bone-in breast halves fall between 4 to 8 pounds. Plan on 3/4 to 1 pound bone-in per person, or 1/2 pound boneless. Adjust up or down depending on appetite. With proper thawing, handling, and cooking, turkey breasts of any size can turn out mouthwateringly delicious.
Breed: 3
Sex: 2
Age: 2
Diet: 2
Preparation: 3
Enhancements: 2
Time of Year: 2
Boneless breast: 5
Bone-in breast: 7
Leftovers: 2
Thaw: 4
Cooking: 3
Selecting: 2
Storing: 2
What if I’m serving a large crowd?
Of course, every rule has an exception. If you’re cooking for more than 16 people, buy one 12- to 14-pound bird and a breast instead of roasting a mammoth turkey (anything over 15 pounds will likely dry out by the time it’s cooked through). Prepare and roast the whole turkey on the upper rack of your oven and the breast on the lower rack.
- One 12- to 14-lb whole turkey and one 6- to 10-lb bone-in breast
- Dry mix stuffing (36 oz)
- Potatoes (10 lbs)
- Sweet potatoes (10 lbs)
- Canned cranberry sauce (four 14-oz cans)
- Pie (3–4)
- Brussels sprouts (4.5 lbs)
- Green beans (6 lbs)
How much turkey per person do I need?
Our recommendation is to plan for one pound of turkey per person, or ½ pound per person for a boneless turkey breast. If youre buying a bone-in turkey breast, figure on 3/4 pound per person.
- Whole turkey (8 lbs)
- Dry mix stuffing (12 oz)
- Potatoes (4 lbs)
- Sweet potatoes (4 lbs)
- Canned cranberry sauce (two 14-oz cans)
- Pie (1–2)
- Brussels sprouts (1.5 lbs)
- Green beans (2 lbs)
- Whole turkey (16 lbs)
- Dry mix stuffing (24 oz)
- Potatoes (8 lbs)
- Sweet potatoes (8 lbs)
- Canned cranberry sauce (three 14-oz cans)
- Pie (2–3)
- Brussels sprouts (3 lbs)
- Green beans (4 lbs)
How long do you smoke a turkey breast per pound?
FAQ
What is the average weight of a turkey breast?
A bone-in turkey breast consists of both breast portions, along with the skin, ribs, and part of the backbone, weighing 4-5 pounds and as large as 8 pounds. You will commonly find bone-in turkey breasts at the supermarket throughout the year, usually packaged as shown in the photo below.
How many people will a 7lb turkey breast feed?
That said, one (3-pound) half-breast will feed two to four people. A whole (six- to seven-pound) turkey breast (two breasts, still joined at the breast bone) will feed six to eight people. This method will work for either amount of meat.
What size turkey breast for 8 adults in lbs?
So, if you have a family of eight and want to serve a whole turkey or bone-in breasts, look for a turkey or breasts that weigh eight to 12 pounds. If you want to serve boneless breasts, buy about 4 pounds. If you want more leftovers, skew the number higher.
How much breast meat is on a 12 pound turkey?
Typically, you’ll get 2 to 3 times as much white meat as dark meat from a whole turkey. For example, from a 12-pound turkey, you’ll end up with about 5 pounds of cooked meat—roughly 3 1/2 pounds of white meat and 1 1/2 pounds of dark meat.
How much should a turkey breast weigh?
For Bone-in Turkey Breast: As an example, for a group of 10 average adults and 5 children, you’d need: For a bone-in breast, double that to 12.5 pounds. To have leftovers, increase the per person estimates. For bone-in breasts, plan for 1-1.5 pounds per person. Turkey breast sizes vary, but here are some typical weights: Boneless Turkey Breasts
How much turkey breast do you need per person?
A bone-in turkey breast weighs 4-5 pounds and can be as large as 8 pounds. So if your recipe calls for 3 pounds of boneless turkey breast you’d need to buy a 6 pound bone-in breast to get the equivalent amount of meat. Figuring out how much turkey per person requires some simple math. Here are general guidelines: For Boneless Turkey Breast:
How much does a boneless turkey breast weigh?
However, boneless turkey breasts are more convenient especially for roasting or grilling. On average, a whole bone-in turkey breast weighs between 6 to 7 pounds. Once cooked, this will provide about 3 to 3.5 pounds of cooked turkey meat. The weight can vary based on the size and breed of the turkey.
How much turkey breast should a 2 pounder eat?
From petite 2 pounders to mammoth 12 pound tom turkey breasts, turkey breast sizes run the gamut. Typically, bone-in breast halves fall in the 4 to 8 pound range. Allow 3/4 to 1 pound per person for bone-in or 1/2 pound per person of boneless. Adjust up or down depending on appetites.
How much turkey breast to buy?
When calculating how much turkey breast to buy, here are some general servings guidelines: Boneless breast: Plan on 1/2 pound per person. Bone-in breast: Allow 3/4 to 1 pound per person to account for bones. These serving sizes provide a starting point, but consider your guests’ preferences too.
How much turkey breast do you need for a Thanksgiving dinner?
Plan on buying 1-1/4 pounds of bone-in turkey breast for each guest. The bone takes up some of this weight, and the meat will shrink down as it cooks. That should leave you with around 1/2 pound of cooked turkey for each guest, perhaps a bit more. With boneless turkey breast, you can round down to 3/4 pound per person.