How Many Pounds of Turkey Do You Need Per Person for Thanksgiving?

Thanksgiving is right around the corner which means it’s time to start planning your holiday meal. The centerpiece of any Thanksgiving table is the turkey, but determining how many pounds to buy can be tricky. You want to make sure you have enough so that everyone gets fed but you also don’t want to be stuck with a mountain of leftovers. So how much turkey do you actually need? Here’s a comprehensive guide on how many pounds of turkey you need per person.

The General Rule

The general rule of thumb is to plan for 1 1⁄2 pounds of turkey per guest. This accounts for the fact that not everyone will eat the same amount, and provides a little extra as insurance. It also includes a buffer for the bones, which take up weight but not actual meat

If you’re buying boneless turkey meat, you can plan on approximately 8 ounces per person. Boneless cuts allow you to skip weighing bones into the equation.

To determine how big of a turkey to buy, simply tally up the number of guests who will be eating turkey, then multiply that number by 1.5 pounds. This will give you the minimum size bird you need to accommodate your group.

For example, if you’re hosting 12 people, you would need at least an 18 pound turkey (12 people x 1.5 pounds per person = 18 pounds). Round up to the nearest whole turkey size available.

Plan for Leftovers

While the standard 1.5 pounds per person is sufficient, many hosts actually prefer to buy extra turkey. Leftover turkey is great for sandwiches, casseroles, soups, salads, and more in the days following Thanksgiving.

If leftovers are on your agenda, consider increasing your pound per person amount. Add an extra 1⁄2 to 1 pound per guest to your calculation.

Using the example above, for 12 guests you might buy a 24-30 pound bird if you want copious leftovers. Just be sure you have enough refrigerator space!

Adjust for Kids

The 1.5 pound general rule is for adult portions. You’ll need less turkey for children.

For kids age 3-12, plan on 3⁄4 pound per child. Children under 3 likely won’t eat much turkey, so you can exclude them from your count.

For a mixed group of adults and kids, tally them separately then add up the totals.

For example, for 8 adults and 6 kids:

• 8 adults x 1.5 pounds = 12 pounds
• 6 kids x 0.75 pounds = 4.5 pounds
• Total: 12 + 4.5 = 16.5 pounds

Round up to the nearest whole turkey size, which would be an 18 pound bird.

Other Tips

• If choosing between two sizes, always round up. It’s better to have extra than not enough.

• Small turkeys (under 12 pounds) tend to have a lower meat-to-bone ratio. Consider doubling up on smaller birds instead of one big one if your count is under 12 people.

• Allow 1 pound raw turkey per person if you want cooked leftovers.

• Make sure your refrigerator can fit your bird! Measure the space before shopping.

• Let your turkey thaw in the fridge for 24 hours for every 4-5 pounds.

• Roast your turkey 15 minutes per pound, until the thighs reach 165°F. Let rest for 30 minutes before carving.

The Takeaway

Figuring out what size turkey to buy for Thanksgiving is easy using some simple math. For adults, plan on approximately 1 1⁄2 raw pounds per person. Add extra if leftovers are desired. Reduce the amount slightly for children. Tally up your guests, multiply by the appropriate pound per person, and round up to the nearest whole turkey. Following this simple formula takes the guesswork out and ensures you buy the perfect amount of turkey for your Thanksgiving meal.