When tasked with picking the perfect turkey size to feed your Thanksgiving crowd, it can be tricky to estimate how many a 12 pounder will serve. This common turkey weight falls right in the middle between petite birds and massive 20-pound showstoppers.
As an experienced home cook and meal planner, I’ve learned how to calculate ideal turkey sizes over the years through trial and error. In this comprehensive guide, I’ll share tips on how many people a 12 pound turkey can feed along with advice for leftovers.
Key Factors For Serving Size
Several variables impact how far a turkey will go at your holiday table:
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Number of guests – More people means more turkey needed Get an accurate headcount.
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Ages of diners – Kids under 12 often eat smaller portions,
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Appetite of guests – Big eaters or athletes need larger servings.
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Sides and other dishes – Less turkey may be consumed if there are multiple entrees.
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Leftovers desired – Buying extra turkey ensures leftovers to enjoy later
Taking these factors into account will help estimate appropriate servings from a 12 pound bird.
Serving Size Per Pound
As a general rule of thumb, plan for about 3/4 pound of turkey meat per adult guest.
For a 12 pound turkey, here is how that shakes out:
- Total weight: 12 pounds
- Bone/waste: About 30% or 3.6 pounds
- Edible meat: Approximately 8.4 pounds
At 3/4 pound per serving, an 8.4 pound turkey will feed around 10 to 11 adults.
For children ages 4 to 11, cut the portion in half to around 1/3 pound per child. Add 1 to 2 more kids to the total.
So a 12 pound turkey should comfortably feed 10 to 12 average adults plus 1 or 2 children with moderate portions.
Leftovers From A 12 Pound Turkey
If your goal is to have ample leftovers from your holiday bird, increase the per person amount to 1 pound per adult.
Here’s how a 12 pound turkey would feed with more generous portions:
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Edible meat from a 12 pound turkey: About 8.4 pounds
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At 1 pound per serving: Feeds 8 to 9 adults
With larger servings for seconds and leftovers, a 12 pound turkey would feed 8 to 10 people. Perfect portions and guaranteed leftovers!
Buying Slightly Larger
If you want leftovers and are feeding big eaters, consider upsizing just slightly to a 13 or 14 pound bird to be safe.
The extra pound or two ensures you’ll have leftovers without too much excess turkey.
Accommodating Extra Guests
For squeezing in a couple extra guests, supplement your 12 pound turkey with more sides and one or two extra turkey breasts.
You can roast boneless turkey breast along with the whole bird to add more white meat for a crowd.
Alternatives To A Whole Turkey
For feeding less than 8 people, a whole large turkey may be overkill. Consider downsizing to just a bone-in turkey breast or turkey cutlets.
Or embrace non-traditional main dishes like ham, roast beef or pork loin.
The Takeaway
A 12 pound whole turkey should comfortably serve 8 to 12 average adults plus 1 to 2 kids. Allow 1 extra pound per person if ample leftovers are desired. Add supplemental turkey breasts or an extra pound or two for extra guests or big eaters. With these handy guidelines, your 12 pound turkey will perfectly feed your holiday crowd.
How many people will a 12 pound turkey feed?
FAQ
How big of a turkey do I need for 7 adults?
How many people does a 12 pound turkey breast feed?
How much meat is on a 12 pound turkey?
What size turkey feeds 20 people?
How many people can a 12 lb turkey feed?
Alternatively, if everyone tends to pluck light meat from the platter, roast a turkey breast instead of a whole turkey. How many people will a 12-lb. turkey feed? Considering that about 1½ pounds of turkey meat will feed one person, a 12-pound turkey will feed eight people.
How many turkeys should a 20 pound crowd eat?
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. Or, just pick another Thanksgiving main course to serve alongside your medium-sized bird.
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.
How much meat can you eat a pound of raw turkey?
“You’re going to lose twenty to thirty percent,” he says. Noguchi, who has been a chef for more than two decades, says an easy way to shop is to buy one pound of raw turkey for every person you plan to feed. “One pound of raw whole turkey will equal about eight ounces of raw, usable meat,” he says.
How much Turkey Tetrazzini should a family eat?
But if leftovers like late-night turkey sandwiches and turkey tetrazzini are as traditional as the feast itself, plan for two to three pounds per person total. Smaller gatherings don’t necessarily mean smaller turkeys because the meat-to-bone ratio is typically less for birds under 12 pounds. If in doubt, always go bigger at two pounds per person.
How much meat is in a pound of Turkey?
“One pound of raw whole turkey will equal about eight ounces of raw, usable meat,” he says. “With moisture loss, that is about five to six ounces of cooked meat per person.” Keep in mind that if some of your guests are vegetarian, you can purchase a smaller bird. Consider your crowd’s preferences for light meat versus dark meat, too.