How Much Turkey Do I Need to Feed the Whole Family? (2024)

We'll tell you how much turkey you need for your holiday meal (plus leftovers!).

Katlyn Moncada is the associate food editor at BHG.com, sharing food news and tutorials on becoming better home cooks. She is a writer and editor with nearly a decade of experience in digital media, photography, and video production.

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Updated on November 17, 2023

Fact checked by

Marcus Reeves

Fact checked byMarcus Reeves

Marcus Reeves is an experienced writer, publisher, and fact-checker. He began his writing career reporting for The Source magazine. His writing has appeared in The New York Times, Playboy, The Washington Post, and Rolling Stone, among other publications. His book Somebody Scream: Rap Music's Rise to Prominence in the Aftershock of Black Power was nominated for a Zora Neale Hurston Award. He is an adjunct instructor at New York University, where he teaches writing and communications. Marcus received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Rutgers University in New Brunswick, New Jersey.

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The Thanksgiving meal revolves around turkey (about 46 million birds each year!), so you definitely want to make sure there's enough for everyone around the table. It's also the holiday we most look forward to eating those delicious leftovers for days after. But before you go buying the ingredients for your Thanksgiving menu, what size turkey should you get to feed the family? If you're cooking for the extended family, you may need way more food than a usual family meal. With our handy guide, you'll know exactly how much turkey should you be buying per person and whether that 15-pound bird is big enough or a few extra pounds are needed.

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Turkey Math

As a general rule when buying turkey, plan on 1 pound of turkey per person. This allows approximately 7 cooked ounces of meat per serving. Though if you're wanting to enjoy turkey leftovers (obviously!), our Test Kitchen recommends 1½ pounds of turkey per person so everyone can literally get stuffed with enough leftover for a few extra meals. Here are some turkey numbers keep in mind for Thanksgiving Day:

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. Or cook a turkey breast for a smaller group.)
8 to 10 people = 8- to 15-lb. turkey
12 to 16 people = 12- to 24-lb. turkey
18 to 20 people = 18- to 30-lb. turkey

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Obviously, while the range of weights you'll find on turkey at the store varies, it's rarer to find birds less than 10 pounds or over 30 lbs. For large groups of people, consider buying a couple of smaller turkeys to match the pound per person rule. So if you need to feed 60 people, buy two turkeys that are around 20 pounds each. Families that prefer white meat might also want to consider just buying turkey breast (or a couple extra in addition to the bird) for your meal.

Once you've got the bird, give it enough time to defrost before following the proper cooking times. That way you ensure your roast turkey is safely cooked and perfectly juicy when it's time to serve. And don't forget to utilize those pan drippings to make flavorful gravy to top your favorite Thanksgiving sides (hello homemade stuffing and mashed potatoes!).

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