How Much Turkey Per Person Do You Need This Thanksgiving?

If you want to plan a successful Thanksgiving Day menu, one thing's for certain: you'll need plenty of turkey to go around! But deciphering how much turkey you need per person is always something that tends to trip people up. After all, the show-stopping centerpiece should be big enough for everyone to get a serving no matter how many guests are in your crowd. So, before you place an order, check out this simple formula to help you figure it out! Then, you can get to work on brining and finding the perfect turkey recipe.

The general rule of thumb is to plan for 1 1/4 pounds of turkey per guest, which takes into account the bones and other inedible parts of the turkey. That should be plenty especially with everyone's favorite Thanksgiving side dishes on the dinner table. But of course, if you want to send everyone home with a bag of leftovers, you could always aim for 1 1/2 to 2 pounds per person. That way, there's plenty to make leftover turkey pot pie the next day.

How Much Turkey Per Person

You already know to plan for at least 1 1/4 pounds of turkey per person, but here's a simple guide to make shopping easier. Find out what size turkey to shop for for your family feast:

6 people = 8 lb. turkey

8 people = 10 lb. turkey

10 people = 13 lb. turkey

12 people = 15 lb. turkey

15 people = 20 lb. turkey

20 people = 25 lb. turkey

What if You're Serving a Small Crowd?

If you're hosting a Thanksgiving for two or four this year, skip the whole turkey and buy a turkey breast instead. The white breast meat is a lot of folks' favorite part of the turkey anyway! Breasts are much easier to work with. They take less time to thaw and cook. Heck, one can even be cooked in an air fryer! For a boneless breast, you should plan for 1/2 pound (8 ounces) per person.

The Pioneer Woman Sweet Rose Roaster with Rack

How About a Large Crowd?

If anyone knows how to cook for a crowd, it's Ree Drummond. As part of her Thanksgiving cooking schedule, she often makes a 20-pound turkey for her family and friends. And if you're looking at a 20- or even 25-pounder, then the actual process of cooking the bird can get a bit intimidating. Think about it: You'll need to find a vessel large enough to brine it and make sure there's enough room in your oven to roast it. On top of all that, it can be tricky to get the whole bird to cook evenly.

So, what's the solution? 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. Or, just pick another Thanksgiving main course to serve alongside your medium-sized bird.

What If You Need More Light or Dark Meat?

If you have any staunch white or dark meat fans, you could always opt for a larger bird, around 1 1/2 to 2 pounds per person, to guarantee that everyone gets their favorite cut. Or, prepare an extra turkey breast recipe for those white meat lovers and some turkey legs for those who want extra dark meat.

All Your Thanksgiving Questions, Answered

• Should You Rinse Your Turkey Before Cooking?
• Can You Freeze Mashed Potatoes?
• What to Make With Leftover Cranberry Sauce?