How much turkey you need per person at Thanksgiving comes down to about 1 pound of uncooked whole turkey per guest, or 1.5 pounds for hearty eaters or ample leftovers, according to USDA. For 10 guests, that means a 10 to 15 pound bird.
Use our calculator below to match your guest count, or scan the chart by guest count in pounds and kilograms, amounts for turkey breast and boneless breast, and how long to thaw the bird you buy.
The short answer: buy 1 pound of whole turkey per person, and 1.5 pounds per person if you want leftovers. For a turkey breast, plan on 3/4 pound per person, and for a boneless breast, 1/2 pound. For 10 guests, that is a 10 to 15 pound turkey.
Turkey Size Calculator
Based on USDA guidance: about 1 pound of uncooked whole turkey per person, or 1.5 pounds for hearty eaters or ample leftovers. Breast amounts are from University of Missouri Extension.
Children count as half a guest. That is our estimate, not an agency rule.
Weights are uncooked purchase weights. Round up to the next available size when shopping. Thaw in a refrigerator at 40°F or below and cook to 165°F.
Key takeaways
- Whole turkey: 1 pound per person, or 1.5 pounds with hearty eaters or leftovers (USDA).
- Turkey breast: 3/4 pound per person for turkey breast and 1/2 pound boneless, per University of Missouri Extension.
- Thaw early: allow about 24 hours in the refrigerator for every 4 to 5 pounds (USDA).
- Weights are uncooked purchase weights: whole turkey and turkey breast amounts include bones, and the boneless breast amount does not.
How big a turkey you need by number of guests
Prefer a chart? This one applies the 1-pound and 1.5-pound guidelines to common guest counts. The kilogram figures are our own conversion, rounded to one decimal (1 pound is about 0.45 kilograms).
| Guests | 1 lb per person | 1.5 lb per person (leftovers or hearty eaters) | In kilograms |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 4 lb | 6 lb | 1.8 to 2.7 kg |
| 6 | 6 lb | 9 lb | 2.7 to 4.1 kg |
| 8 | 8 lb | 12 lb | 3.6 to 5.4 kg |
| 10 | 10 lb | 15 lb | 4.5 to 6.8 kg |
| 12 | 12 lb | 18 lb | 5.4 to 8.2 kg |
| 15 | 15 lb | 22.5 lb | 6.8 to 10.2 kg |
| 20 | 20 lb | 30 lb | 9.1 to 13.6 kg |
You will rarely find a turkey at the exact weight, so round up to the next size. For larger groups, the National Turkey Federation says that when you need more than 15 pounds of turkey, you may want two smaller birds for even cooking.
How many people a turkey feeds
| Turkey size | Feeds (at 1.5 lb each) | Feeds (at 1 lb each) |
|---|---|---|
| 12 lb | 8 | 12 |
| 14 lb | 9 | 14 |
| 16 lb | 10 | 16 |
| 18 lb | 12 | 18 |
| 20 lb | 13 | 20 |
| 22 lb | 14 | 22 |
| 24 lb | 16 | 24 |
This is our math from the 1-pound and 1.5-pound guidelines, rounded down. Use the “Feeds at 1.5 lb each” column if you want leftovers or have hearty eaters.
How much turkey per person, by type of turkey
| What you are cooking | Per person | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Whole turkey, standard allowance | 3/4 to 1 pound | University of Missouri Extension (3/4), USDA, UNH Extension and National Turkey Federation (1) |
| Whole turkey, leftovers or hearty eaters | 1.5 pounds | USDA (National Turkey Federation: 1.25 to 1.5 lb) |
| Turkey breast | 3/4 pound | University of Missouri Extension |
| Boneless turkey breast | 1/2 pound | University of Missouri Extension |
Sources differ slightly. USDA says about 1 pound, or 1.5 pounds for hearty eaters or ample leftovers. University of New Hampshire Extension says 1 pound. The National Turkey Federation, an industry group, says at least 1 pound, and 1.25 to 1.5 pounds for seconds or leftovers. University of Missouri Extension (November 2023) says 1 pound of whole turkey per person if you want leftovers and 3/4 pound if you do not, or if you cook a turkey breast. Some cooking sites, including Food Network, recommend 1.5 pounds per guest as a baseline.
What changes how much turkey you need
- Leftovers. Plan on 1.5 pounds per person if you want sandwiches and soup the next day.
- Hearty eaters. USDA raises the number to 1.5 pounds for them.
- Children. The sources do not give a separate child amount. Our practical tip: count small children as half a guest and adjust up if you are unsure.
- Lots of sides. The sources do not adjust for the number of side dishes. Our practical tip: with a large spread and light eaters, the low end is usually enough.
- Smaller gatherings. The National Turkey Federation suggests turkey breast or other cuts as an alternative if you are paring down your celebration.
- White meat only. If everyone wants breast, buy a turkey breast. Missouri Extension plans 3/4 pound per person for it, less than a whole bird.
How long to thaw the turkey you buy
USDA says the rule of thumb is 24 hours in the refrigerator for every 4 to 5 pounds of turkey. University of Missouri Extension says about one day for every 5 pounds, and warns against thawing on the counter. Keep the refrigerator at 40°F or below. A thawed turkey can then stay refrigerated for 1 or 2 days before cooking. For a faster thaw, USDA says to put the turkey in a leak-proof bag, submerge it in cold water, change the water every 30 minutes, and allow about 30 minutes per pound, then cook it immediately. Our full guide to thawing a turkey covers each method.
| Turkey size | Refrigerator thaw (24 hours per 4 to 5 lb) |
|---|---|
| 10 lb | 2 to 2.5 days |
| 12 lb | 2.5 to 3 days |
| 15 lb | 3 to 4 days |
| 20 lb | 4 to 5 days |
| 24 lb | 5 to 6 days |
These days are our math from the USDA rule, so plan for the longer end of each range and add a day if your refrigerator is crowded. A bird you thaw in cold water needs about half an hour per pound, so a 15-pound turkey takes around 7.5 hours.
Mistakes when buying a turkey
- Counting cooked weight. The amounts above are for the raw bird, bones included.
- Forgetting to thaw. A frozen bird needs days in the refrigerator. If you are still choosing one, see how to pick a turkey.
- Buying far more than you need. Extra weight means a longer thaw. Cooking it right matters as much as size: see the mistakes that make turkey dry.
- Leaving it out. Once it is cooked, the clock matters. Here is how long cooked turkey can sit out.
Cook it to a safe temperature
USDA says a whole turkey is safe when it reaches a minimum internal temperature of 165°F as measured with a food thermometer. USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service guidance (archived) says to check the innermost part of the thigh and wing and the thickest part of the breast.
Plan the rest of your Thanksgiving
- Sides and dessert: try our fresh cranberry sauce with orange and cinnamon, a low carb cranberry sauce, roasted Brussels sprouts with balsamic and bacon, or maple pumpkin pie.
- Drinks: our Thanksgiving wine pairing guide.
- Before guests arrive: use the Thanksgiving home cleaning checklist.
- If the turkey comes out dry: see how to fix dry turkey.
- Leftovers and spills: see whether gravy goes bad, stuffing goes bad, cranberry sauce goes bad and pumpkin pie goes bad, and how to get gravy out of clothes.
How much turkey per person: your questions, answered
How much turkey do you need per person for Thanksgiving?
About 1 pound of whole turkey per person, or 1.5 pounds if you want leftovers or have hearty eaters, according to USDA.
How much turkey breast per person?
University of Missouri Extension says 3/4 pound per person for a turkey breast.
How much boneless turkey per person?
University of Missouri Extension says 1/2 pound per person for a boneless turkey breast.
What size turkey for 10 adults in kg?
For 10 guests, 10 to 15 pounds, which is about 4.5 to 6.8 kilograms (our conversion).
What size turkey for 8 adults in kg?
8 to 12 pounds, about 3.6 to 5.4 kilograms. For 6 adults, 6 to 9 pounds, about 2.7 to 4.1 kilograms.
How much turkey per person with leftovers?
1.5 pounds per person. The National Turkey Federation suggests 1.25 to 1.5 pounds.
Is the weight raw or cooked?
These are uncooked purchase weights, not cooked serving sizes. Whole turkey and turkey breast amounts include bones; the boneless breast amount does not.
How far ahead should you buy a turkey?
USDA says a frozen turkey can be bought months in advance, but a fresh one should be bought only one to two days ahead. A frozen bird needs about 24 hours in the refrigerator for every 4 to 5 pounds.
How many people does a 20-pound turkey feed?
About 13 people at 1.5 pounds each, or up to 20 at 1 pound each (our math). See the chart above for other sizes.
The bottom line
Buy about 1 pound of whole turkey per person, and 1.5 pounds if you want leftovers. Round up, start thawing days ahead, and cook it to 165°F.
The post How Much Turkey You Need Per Person at Thanksgiving, According To Experts appeared first on Better Living.
from Better Living https://ift.tt/gYpeFbu
0 Comments
Post a Comment