If you are expecting twelve guests (or maybe fourteen if Aunt Sue hasn’t broken up with her loser boyfriend who will bring his tag-along mother by then), one of them will only eat birds raised gluten-free, three of them will probably fight over the dark meat, and two more will demand the stuffing be made from free-range bread, how big of a turkey should you buy?
It can be extremely confusing and even frightening to decide what to make and how much turkey and side dishes to prepare. To assist you in getting ready for Thanksgiving or other holiday dinners, we have provided a cheat sheet.
Thanksgiving is a time for family friends, and, of course, delicious food. And what’s Thanksgiving dinner without a generous helping of gravy? But how much gravy should you make per person?
This question has been pondered by many a Thanksgiving host, and there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. It depends on a few factors, including:
- How much gravy your guests typically eat. Some people are gravy enthusiasts, while others prefer to keep it light.
- What other dishes you’re serving. If you’re serving other saucy dishes, like cranberry sauce, you might not need as much gravy.
- Whether you want leftovers. Leftover gravy is perfect for turkey sandwiches, mashed potato bowls, and even breakfast biscuits.
With these factors in mind here’s a general guideline for how much gravy to make per person:
- For light gravy eaters: 1/4 cup per person
- For average gravy eaters: 1/2 cup per person
- For gravy enthusiasts: 1 cup per person
Here are some additional tips for making gravy for Thanksgiving:
- Make it ahead of time. Gravy can be made a day or two in advance and reheated when you’re ready to serve. This will free up valuable oven space on Thanksgiving Day.
- Use a slow cooker. A slow cooker is a great way to keep your gravy warm and prevent it from scorching.
- Make extra. Leftover gravy can be frozen for later use.
Here are some resources to help you make the perfect Thanksgiving gravy:
- Food52’s Make-Ahead Gravy recipe: https://food52.com/recipes/60033-make-ahead-gravy
- Parade’s How Much Gravy Do You Need for Your Thanksgiving Dinner? article: https://parade.com/849464/tessmelchreit/how-much-gravy-do-you-need-for-your-thanksgiving-dinner/
- Allrecipes’ Thanksgiving Gravy recipe: https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/23208/thanksgiving-gravy/
No matter how much gravy you make, the most important thing is to enjoy it with your loved ones. Happy Thanksgiving!
How many carrots per person?
A 1-pound bag makes 4 to 5 servings.
Try Brussels sprouts with maple syrup and caramelized onions as a side dish.
Tips continue after photo gallery
How much turkey per person?
- Buy a 12-pound turkey for eight people or an 18-pound turkey for twelve people, keeping in mind that each person should have 1½ pounds of turkey.
- Refrigerating a frozen turkey is the most secure method of defrosting it. For every 4 to 5 pounds of turkey, you will need roughly 24 hours. Place the turkey in a sink filled with cold water to thaw it more quickly. Aim for roughly 30 minutes per pound and replace the water every 30 minutes.
- When it comes to preparing a turkey, there are various schools of thought. Some say 325 degrees for the whole time. Some report an hourly temperature of 400 to 425 degrees, followed by 325 degrees. Use a thermometer, whichever method you choose; the meat should be 165 degrees.
- A 12-pound turkey will take 3 to 4 hours at 325 degrees in a standard oven, and an 18-pound turkey will take 4½ to 5 hours.
- The turkey should never be served right away from the oven. It must rest before serving, much like most meat, to allow the juices to redistribute. To keep the turkey warm, cover it with foil and layer a few bath towels on top of that. Let it rest for 20 to 30 minutes.
A bakery can stuff a whole Thanksgiving turkey dinner into a pie if you’re looking for something unique.
How much turkey should I plan per person?
FAQ
How much gravy do I need for 10 adults?
How many cups of gravy do I need for 13 people?
How much gravy per portion?
How many mashed potatoes per person for Thanksgiving?
How much gravy do you put in a Thanksgiving turkey?
It’s packed with incredible flavor, making it the perfect addition to any Thanksgiving turkey. Assume 1/3 cup to 1/2 cup of gravy per person. This gravy recipe makes enough to serve 16 people. 1 To make the base broth for gravy, add the offal, turkey neck, onion, thyme, and bay leaf to a medium saucepan.
Can one have turkey and carrots?
Eating turkey and carrots is part of healthy habits. The turkey has meat like chicken and is another healthy poultry option. Carrots are rich in carotenoids, it is a source of vitamin A, fiber, potassium and vitamin B3.
How much gravy per person?
The general rule of thumb is to plan for about ¼ to ⅓ cup of gravy per person. Of course, this can vary depending on your guests’ personal preferences and how saucy you want your meal to be. If you’re serving a large group, it’s always a good idea to make a little extra gravy just in case.
Can you make homemade gravy with a roasted turkey?
I’ve fallen head over heels for this homemade gravy, especially when made alongside our new favorite roasted turkey. Thanks to outrageously flavorful pan drippings, a simple onion broth, and the perfect roux, this gravy is silky, perfectly thick, and tastes incredible drizzled over mashed potatoes, turkey, and other Thanksgiving sides.