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.
Planning the perfect Thanksgiving or holiday meal means getting the turkey right. Under-buying turkey can leave your guests hungry, while over-buying leads to wasted food and money So how much bone-in turkey breast should you buy per person? Let’s dig into this question and make sure you have all the details for a successful and satisfying feast
Why Choose Bone-In Turkey Breast?
While a boneless turkey breast is convenient, a bone-in breast has more flavor. The bones infuse the meat with more turkey taste as it cooks. The skin also crisps up beautifully when the bone is left in. For special gatherings like Thanksgiving, a whole bone-in turkey breast makes a stunning centerpiece. Carving it at the table is part of the tradition.
Bone-in turkey breasts take longer to cook than boneless. But the extra time yields moister, more tender and flavorful meat.
How Much Bone-In Turkey Per Person?
As a general guideline plan for around 3/4 pound to 1 pound of bone-in turkey breast per person. This allows for generous portions with leftovers. Leftover turkey is great for sandwiches casseroles, soups and easy meals.
Here’s a simple formula
- For adults, allow 1 pound of bone-in turkey breast per person
- For kids, allow 1/2 pound per child
- If you want lots of leftovers, allow 1 1/4 pounds per person
For example, if you’re having Thanksgiving dinner for 8 adults and 5 kids, you’d need:
- 8 adults x 1 pound each = 8 pounds
- 5 kids x 1/2 pound each = 2.5 pounds
- Total: 10.5 pounds of bone-in turkey breast
To be safe, it’s better to slightly overestimate than under-buy. Here’s a handy turkey buying guide based on number of guests:
- 4 people: buy a 4 pound bone-in breast
- 6 people: buy a 6 pound bone-in breast
- 8 people: buy a 8-9 pound bone-in breast
- 10 people: buy a 10-12 pound bone-in breast
- 12 people: buy a 12-14 pound bone-in breast
- 14 people: buy a 14-16 pound bone-in breast
- 16 people: buy a 16-18 pound bone-in breast
As you can see, buying a little extra turkey is recommended, especially if you want leftovers.
Other Tips for Buying Bone-In Turkey Breast
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Buy your turkey breast 2-3 days before cooking to allow it to fully thaw in the fridge. Don’t thaw at room temperature.
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Make sure your roasting pan is large enough for the bone-in breast, with some extra room around it.
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A boneless breast is easier if you have a smaller oven. A bone-in breast can take up more oven space.
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Let the breast rest 20-30 minutes before carving for juicy meat.
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Use a meat thermometer to ensure the thickest part of the breast reaches 165°F.
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Save the bones and carcass to make your own turkey broth!
Cooking Times for Bone-In Turkey Breasts
Bone-in turkey breasts require longer cook times than boneless. A general guideline is:
- 4-6 lb breast: 2 – 2 1/2 hours at 325°F
- 8-10 lb breast: 2 1/2 – 3 hours at 325°F
- 12-15 lb breast: 3 – 3 1/2 hours at 325°F
Check the temperature regularly toward the end of the estimate. And let the breast rest before slicing.
For a juicy, flavorful turkey, rub the breast with butter or oil and season it generously inside and out. Herbs like sage, rosemary, thyme and marjoram complement turkey beautifully.
Enjoy Your Perfectly Cooked Turkey!
Your guests will be impressed when you serve a gorgeous, juicy bone-in turkey breast. Use these turkey buying and cooking tips to get the ideal sized bird. Getting the turkey right means your meal will start off on the right foot. Then relax and savor time with friends and family!
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)
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)
Simple Oven Roasted Turkey Breast
FAQ
How many people will a 7lb bone-in turkey breast feed?
LITTLE BIRD
If you’re not cooking for a crowd, make a bone-in turkey breast. A 5- to 7-pound breast feeds about 4.
How many servings are in a bone-in turkey breast?
It’s tasty and has enough meat for six servings.
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.Nov 13, 2023
How much bone in turkey should I buy per person?
As a general rule, plan for 1 to 1½ pounds of turkey per person. You might wonder how one person can eat that much turkey, especially when plenty of Thanksgiving sides are served. But keep in mind this is not just the weight of the meat but also considers bone and cartilage.
How much bone-in Turkey Breast should I buy?
When serving a bone-in turkey breast, it’s important to consider the weight of the bones when planning how much to buy. It’s best to plan for about 1 pound per person to ensure that there is enough meat for everyone at the table.
How much boneless turkey breast should a person eat?
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. You can always carve and serve additional breast meat. Bone-in turkey breasts contain the wishbone, rib bones, and partial backbone.
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 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 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 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.