How Much Turkey Breast Per Person? A Comprehensive Guide to Feeding Your Thanksgiving Crowd

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Planning a Thanksgiving feast can be a daunting task, especially when it comes to determining the right amount of turkey to buy. Overestimating can leave you with a mountain of leftovers, while underestimating can lead to hungry guests. To ensure you have just the right amount of turkey breast for your Thanksgiving dinner, follow this comprehensive guide.

How Much Turkey Breast Per Person?

The general rule of thumb is to plan for 0.5 pounds of turkey breast per person for a boneless turkey breast and 1 pound of turkey breast per person for a bone-in turkey breast. This accounts for the weight of the bones, which are not edible.

For example:

  • 4 guests: 2-pound boneless turkey breast (or 4-pound bone-in turkey breast)
  • 8 guests: 4-pound boneless turkey breast (or 8-pound bone-in turkey breast)
  • 10 guests: 5-pound boneless turkey breast (or 10-pound bone-in turkey breast)
  • 16 guests: 8-pound boneless turkey breast (or 16-pound bone-in turkey breast)

Additional factors to consider:

  • Appetites: Adjust the amount of turkey based on your guests’ appetites. If you know some guests have larger appetites, consider increasing the amount of turkey per person.
  • Leftovers: If you love leftovers, consider increasing the amount of turkey per person to 1 pound for boneless and 1.5 pounds for bone-in.
  • Children: Children typically eat less than adults, so you may only need 0.25 pounds of turkey per child.

Bone-In vs. Boneless Turkey Breast

Bone-in turkey breasts are typically heavier than boneless turkey breasts due to the weight of the bones. When purchasing a bone-in turkey breast, double the amount of turkey per person to account for the bones

Boneless turkey breasts are easier to carve and serve, but they may be more expensive than bone-in turkey breasts.

Cooking Methods for Turkey Breast

Here are three popular methods for cooking turkey breast:

1. Oven Roasting: This is the classic method for cooking turkey breast. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and roast the turkey breast for about 1 hour per pound, or until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit.

2. Grilling: Grilling is a great way to add a smoky flavor to your turkey breast. Preheat your grill to medium-high heat and grill the turkey breast for about 20-25 minutes per side, or until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit.

3. Slow Cooker: The slow cooker is a convenient option for cooking turkey breast. Place the turkey breast in the slow cooker and cook on low for 6-8 hours, or until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit.

By following these tips, you can ensure you have the perfect amount of turkey breast for your Thanksgiving dinner. Remember to consider the number of guests, their appetites, and whether you want leftovers when determining the amount of turkey to buy. With a little planning, you can enjoy a delicious and stress-free Thanksgiving feast.

Best Seasoning for Turkey

Our innovative Farmhouse Blend, which uses a special blend of roasted garlic and herbs, improves the flavor of turkey both before and after cooking. The umami’s savory essence, which intensifies flavor and increases deliciousness, holds the key.

46 MILLION turkeys are eaten each Thanksgiving

3 lbs. turkey breast (1 lb. cooked turkey)

6 to 7 lbs. turkey breast (2 lbs. cooked turkey)

5 lbs. turkey breast (1 1/2 lbs. cooked turkey)

10-lb. whole turkey (3 lbs. cooked turkey)

6 to 7 lbs. turkey breast (2 lbs. cooked turkey)

13-lb. whole turkey (4 lbs. cooked turkey)

8 lbs. turkey breast (2 1/2 lbs. cooked turkey)

16- to 17-lb. whole turkey (5 lbs. cooked turkey)

10-lb. whole turkey (3 lbs. cooked turkey)

20-lb. whole turkey (6 lbs. cooked turkey)

11- to 12-lb. whole turkey (3 1/2 lbs. cooked turkey)

Two 12-lb. whole turkeys (7 lbs. cooked turkey)

13-lb. whole turkey (4 lbs. cooked turkey)

Two 14-lb. whole turkeys (8 lbs. cooked turkey)

15-lb. whole turkey (4 1/2 lbs. cooked turkey)

Two 15-lb. whole turkeys (9 lbs. cooked turkey)

16- to 17-lb. whole turkey (5 lbs. cooked turkey)

Two 17-lb. whole turkeys (10 lbs. cooked turkey)

20-lb. whole turkey (6 lbs. cooked turkey)

Two 20-lb. whole turkeys (12 lbs. cooked turkey)

20-lb. whole turkey plus 6 to 7 lbs. turkey breast (7 1/2 lbs. cooked turkey).

Two 20-lb. whole turkeys plus 10 lbs. turkey breast (15 lbs. cooked turkey).

Simple Oven Roasted Turkey Breast

FAQ

How many will a 9 lb turkey breast feed?

4 to 6 people = 4- to 9-lb. turkey (If you can’t find a bird that small, you can get a slightly larger bird that will allow for more leftovers.

How many will a 10 lb turkey feed?

Number of Guests
Turkey Weight–
8
10lbs
10
13lbs
12
15lbs
15
20lbs

Is it better to buy a whole turkey or a turkey breast?

Roasting a whole turkey breast for Thanksgiving, rather than an entire bird, offers a few clear advantages. It cuts roasting time at least in half, reduces the hassle of carving, and frees you to create more interesting side dishes.

What is the yield of turkey breast?

My experience has been; that turkey breasts, if not over-cooked will yield about 70% after cooking. However if you purchased “enhanced” turkey breasts you can expect about a 65% yield.

How long do you cook a 5 pound turkey breast?

Roast turkey breast in the oven for 20 minutes per pound for bone-in, or 15 minutes per pound for boneless, until the internal temperature in the thickest part reaches 165 degrees F (74 degrees C). (For a 5-pound bone-in turkey breast, that’s 1 hour 40 minutes .)

How much turkey breast do I Need?

For example, if you have 16 guests (including yourself) coming to dinner you will now need a 16 pound turkey breast. Boneless: a boneless breast doesn’t have the added weight of bones so it is very straightforward. The calculation is still 0.5 pounds of boneless turkey breast.

How long do you cook a turkey breast in the oven?

Spread the other half over the skin. Place the turkey breast in a roasting pan on a roasting rack with the skin side facing up. Roast turkey breast in the oven for 20 minutes per pound for bone-in, or 15 minutes per pound for boneless, until the internal temperature in the thickest part reaches 165 degrees F (74 degrees C).

How much turkey breast should you buy for a party?

Essentially, if you’ll be serving four people, you should plan on purchasing 5 pounds of bone-in turkey breast. For a party of eight, boost the total yield to 10 pounds. If your party consists of 10 people, purchase 13 pounds of bone-in meat.

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