This helpful guideline can help you plan your Thanksgiving meal so much more efficiently if you’re tired of wondering how much turkey you need for each person.
Regardless of how often you host Thanksgiving, there’s always one big question to answer: Exactly how big of a turkey do I need to make? The size of the turkey matters because it determines how much will be left over for Thanksgiving leftovers as well as how big of a helping each guest receives.
Utilize the following formula once you have the precise number of attendees: Number of guests x 1. 25. You’ll want to plan on about 1. 25 pounds of turkey per person. That means you should budget for a 15-pound bird if you’re hosting 12 people.
We’ve put together a guide to help you choose the ideal turkey size for your Thanksgiving dinner menu in order to simplify the process.
Planning a Thanksgiving feast for 7 guests can be exciting, but figuring out the right amount of turkey can be tricky. Fear not, this guide will help you determine the perfect turkey size for your gathering, ensuring everyone enjoys a delicious and satisfying meal without any unnecessary leftovers.
Calculating the Perfect Turkey Size:
The general rule of thumb is to plan for 1.25 pounds of turkey per person. This accounts for both cooked meat and bones ensuring everyone gets a generous portion. For 7 guests, this translates to:
7 guests x 1.25 pounds/guest = 8.75 pounds
Therefore, an 8-9 pound turkey should be sufficient for your Thanksgiving dinner. However there are several factors to consider that may influence your decision:
Guest Preferences:
- Appetites: If you know your guests have hearty appetites, consider rounding up to a 10-pound turkey. Conversely, if they tend to eat less, a 7-pound turkey might be enough.
- Dark Meat vs. Light Meat: If your guests have a strong preference for either dark or light meat, adjust the turkey size accordingly. For example, if most prefer dark meat, opt for a slightly larger bird.
Leftovers:
- Leftover Enthusiasts: If you love leftovers and plan to use them for sandwiches, soups, or potpies, consider buying a slightly larger turkey.
- Minimal Leftovers: If you prefer to minimize leftovers, stick to the 8-9 pound recommendation.
Additional Considerations:
- Cooking Method: Roasting a turkey typically yields more usable meat than other methods like smoking or deep-frying.
- Bone-In vs. Boneless: Bone-in turkeys offer more flavor but less meat, while boneless turkeys provide more usable meat but less flavor.
- Turkey Type: Heritage turkeys tend to be smaller and have a higher bone-to-meat ratio than commercially raised turkeys.
Tips for Choosing the Right Turkey:
- Fresh vs. Frozen: Fresh turkeys are generally more flavorful, but frozen turkeys are readily available and can be thawed in advance.
- Brining: Brining adds moisture and flavor to the turkey, but requires additional preparation time.
- Quality: Look for a turkey with a plump breast and evenly distributed fat. Avoid turkeys with bruises or tears.
Beyond the Turkey:
While the turkey is the centerpiece of Thanksgiving dinner, don’t forget the side dishes! Plan to serve a variety of vegetables, stuffing, mashed potatoes, and cranberry sauce to complement the main course.
Additional Resources:
- How to Calculate How Much Turkey You Need: https://www.bonappetit.com/story/how-much-turkey-per-person
- How Much Turkey Do You Need Per Person?: https://www.tasteofhome.com/article/how-much-turkey-per-person/
Planning a Thanksgiving dinner for 7 guests requires careful consideration of turkey size, guest preferences, and leftover desires. By following the guidelines and tips provided, you can ensure a delicious and satisfying feast for everyone at your table. Remember, the most important ingredient is love, so enjoy the company of your loved ones and savor the spirit of Thanksgiving.
Choose a Great Turkey Recipe
It’s time to think about turkey prep. There are a lot of ways to season a turkey, but to get you started, try these two easy recipes:
- For big gatherings: We adore this easy recipe for marinated Thanksgiving turkey.
- For small gatherings: Cooking turkey breasts is simple with this slow cooker recipe.
This helpful guide will tell you exactly how long to cook a turkey, so make sure you know how to prepare it once you’ve selected the ideal recipe!
How to Figure Out How Much Turkey Per Person
–Number of Guests – |
Turkey Weight– |
| 4 | 5lbs |
| 6 | 8lbs |
| 8 | 10lbs |
| 10 | 13lbs |
| 12 | 15lbs |
| 15 | 20lbs |
| 20 | 25lbs |
| 25 | 32lbs |
To calculate your turkey, just round down if a lot of kids are attending. The children usually devour the rolls and side dishes from the Thanksgiving charcuterie board, stuffing their faces with stuffing, mashed potatoes, and cheese and crackers.
How many pounds of turkey should you have per person?
FAQ
How big of a turkey do I need for 7 adults?
How many does a 10 lb turkey feed?
Will a 12 lb turkey feed 6 people?
What size turkey for 6 adults Butterball?
How much Turkey do you need for a Thanksgiving party?
To keep you from crunching the numbers, here’s a general guideline of how much turkey to make, depending on your party size (assuming 1½ pounds per person). For six guests, a nine-pound turkey will suffice. For eight guests, buy a turkey that weighs about 12 pounds. For 10 guests, you want a bird that is at least 15 pounds.
How much Turkey should a large party eat?
Here at Delish we believe in hitting the sweet spot. While 1 pound per person could feel like too little, and 1 1/2 pounds for each guest might be over-doing it, 1 1/4 pounds of turkey per mouth is the perfect balance. At that rate, feeding a large party of 15 or more people requires 20+ pounds of turkey.
How many people can a 8 pound turkey serve?
Most turkey portion serving sizing charts are based using a bone-in turkey. A chart might say 1 to 1.5 pounds of purchased turkey per person, so an 8-pound turkey is allegedly perfect for 6-8 people. I say NO! Initially, the bone removes some of that weight. Secondly, the weight becomes further reduced during cooking.
How much Turkey should you cook per person?
Keep it close and refer to it when planning your gathering. How Much Turkey Per Person Should You Cook? 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.