Every item on this page was chosen by an editor from The Pioneer Woman. We may earn commission on some of the items you choose to buy.
One thing is for sure: you’ll need a lot of turkey for Thanksgiving! But figuring out how much turkey each person needs is always a problem. In the end, the centerpiece that steals the show should be big enough for all of your guests, no matter how many there are. Here is a simple formula that will help you figure it out before you place your order. Then you can start brining the turkey and looking for the best turkey recipe.
As a general rule, you should plan to serve 1 1/4 pounds of turkey per guest. This amount includes the bones and other parts of the turkey that people don’t eat. That should be plenty especially with everyones favorite Thanksgiving side dishes on the dinner table. And if you want to send everyone home with extra food, you could always aim for 1 1/2 to 2 pounds per person. That way, theres plenty to make leftover turkey pot pie the next day.
As Thanksgiving approaches, one of the most common questions people have when planning their holiday meal is “how much does a 20 lb turkey feed?” With guests ranging from close family to distant relatives, it can be tricky to figure out exactly how big of a bird you need
I’ll walk through all the details here so you can feel confident you’re getting the right size turkey for your gathering. Whether hosting a intimate dinner or a huge family reunion, this guide will tell you just how many people that 20 pounder can serve.
The Short Answer
The quick answer is that a 20 lb turkey will generally feed between 12-14 people The standard recommendation is planning for 1-1.5 pounds of turkey per person.
So for a 20 lb bird with 1 lb per person you could serve 20 people. But realistically, with bone-in breasts and wings, you’ll get around 14 servings of 6-8 oz each from a turkey that size.
If you want ample leftovers, allowing 1.5 lbs per person would safely feed about 12 hungry guests with a 20 pound turkey.
Key Factors That Determine Turkey Servings
There are a few variables that affect exactly how many any size turkey will feed. Here are some of the key factors to consider:
1. White Meat vs Dark Meat
Turkeys have a higher ratio of white breast meat to dark leg/thigh meat. For a 20 lb turkey, you’ll get roughly:
- 10-12 lbs of white meat
- 5-6 lbs of dark meat
So if your guests have a strong preference for white meat, a 20 lb bird may only feed 10-12.
2. Meat vs Bone Weight
The 20 lb weight includes bones and skin. Once cooked, the total usable meat is around 70% of the raw weight.
For a 20 lb raw turkey, you’ll get about 14 lbs of cooked meat – which gives you 10-12 servings of white meat.
3. Appetites & Leftovers
Are your guests big eaters looking for seconds and leftovers? Or are they lower appetite older adults and kids?
Allowing for 1.5 lbs per person instead of just 1 lb gives you more wiggle room if you want bountiful extra turkey.
4. Other Main Dishes
If you’ll have ham or other main dishes, that takes pressure off the turkey servings. You may need less turkey per guest if they fill up on sides and other proteins.
Guide by Guest Count
Here’s a handy reference guide for how many people a 20 lb turkey can serve based on your guest list size:
- 6-8 guests: plenty of extra with a 20 lb turkey
- 10 guests: enough with modest leftovers
- 12 guests: full servings plus leftovers
- 14+ guests: start to risk running out of white meat
The sweet spot for a 20 lb bird is 10-14 guests for comfortable portions plus leftovers. Up to 18 guests can work if your group tends toward modest eaters.
For anything over 14, it’s safer to move up to a 22-24 lb turkey or supplement with more side dishes and a ham.
Buying Your 20 lb Bird
Once you’ve settled on turkey size, here are some tips for shopping:
-
Check your fridge space. A 20 lb turkey is large, make sure you have room!
-
Allow 1-2 days thaw time in the fridge before cooking.
-
Opt for free-range or organic for better flavor.
-
Get a pan big enough to fit the bird, allowing space for air flow.
-
Buy extra wings/breasts if your group loves white meat.
-
Pick up a thermometer to check doneness – cook to 165°F.
-
Grab ingredients for your favorite sides to round out the meal!
Cooking Time for a 20 lb Turkey
A good rule of thumb for roasting time is 15 minutes per pound at 325°F.
So for a 20 lb turkey:
- 20 lbs x 15 minutes = 300 minutes
- 300 minutes = 5 hours
At 325°F, plan on around 5 hours total cooking time. Check temperature at the 4 hour mark and continue roasting until the breast and thighs reach 165°F.
Let rest for 30 minutes before carving for juicy, tender meat!
Alternatives to a Large Turkey
If a 20 lb turkey sounds like more than you need, consider these options:
-
Two 10-12 lb turkeys – Cook side-by-side, gives you extra wings & breasts!
-
Turkey breast – Roughly 1 lb feeds 2 people, easier for smaller groups.
-
Turkey parts – Buy just drums, thighs, wings, etc. to supplement.
-
Boneless turkey breast – Faster cooking, easier carving, no wing/leg meat.
-
Other mains – Do a turkey plus ham or beef tenderloin.
Having the right size turkey ensures happy guests and ideal leftovers. Now that you know a 20 pounder feeds 12-14 hungry people, you can shop confidently. Here’s to a wonderful Thanksgiving meal!
How Much Turkey Per Person
For each person, you should plan on at least 1 1/4 pounds of turkey. Here’s a quick shopping list to help you out. Find out what size turkey to shop for for your family feast:
6 people = 8 lb. turkey
If you’re only having two or four people over for Thanksgiving this year, don’t buy a whole turkey. Instead, buy a turkey breast. Many people’s favorite part of a turkey is the white meat on the breasts. Breasts are also easier to work with. They take less time to thaw and cook. You can even cook one in an air fryer! Each person should have about half a pound (8 ounces) of boneless chicken breast.
How much meat do you get from a 20 pound turkey?
FAQ
How many people will a 20 lb turkey serve?
How much meat do you get from a 20 lb turkey?
How big of a turkey do you need to feed 12 people?
Will a 15 lb turkey feed 7 people?
How many people can a 20 pound turkey feed?
When estimating serving sizes, you should plan on about 1-1/4 pounds of turkey per person. That means a 20-pound turkey should feed 16 people. However, your final estimate should also take other factors into account, including the possibility of leftovers. A whole turkey might weigh anywhere from 14 to 70 pounds.
How much Turkey should a 10 pound turkey eat?
The end goal is 1/2 a pound of turkey per adult and 1/3 of a pound per child at the dinner table. So if you’re serving a holiday dinner of 10 adults, you need five pounds of cooked turkey in total. We know we’re going to lose roughly 50% of the weight of a whole bird through cooking and the bones. So you’ll want a 10-pound turkey.
How many turkeys should a family eat?
For large groups of people, consider buying a couple of smaller turkeys to match the pound per person rule. So if you need to feed 60 people, buy two turkeys that are around 20 pounds each. Families that prefer white meat might also want to consider just buying turkey breast (or a couple extra in addition to the bird) for your meal.
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 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.
How much stuffing do you need for a 20 pound turkey?
A 20-pound bird will take a prohibitively long time to cook. If stuffing is on the menu, plan on heating it in a separate casserole dish. Estimate about 3/4 cup of stuffing per guest. That means if you’re preparing a 20-pound turkey for 16 people, you’ll need a total of 12 cups of stuffing.