Updated: Apr. 30, 2024
Sick of being unsure of how much turkey you need per person? This handy rule will make your Thanksgiving planning so much easier.
No matter how often you host Thanksgiving, one big question remains the same: Exactly how much turkey do I need to make? Turkey size is important since it will determine how big of a helping each guest gets—not to mention how much will be left for Thanksgiving leftovers.
Once you know the exact number of attendees, use this formula: Number of guests x 1.25. You’ll want to plan on about 1.25 pounds of turkey per person. That means if you’re expecting 12 guests, plan for a 15-pound bird.
To make things simple, we’ve created a guide to help you pick the perfect-sized turkey for your Thanksgiving dinner menu.
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 |
Download Chart
If you have a large number of kids coming, simply round down when calculating your turkey. The kids usually go for the rolls and Thanksgiving side dishes anyway—filling up their stomachs with mashed potatoes, stuffing, and cheese and crackers off of a Thanksgiving charcuterie board.
What if I’m feeding a large group?
If you have a large family, try dividing your number by two, and buying two smaller birds instead of a single bigger one. This will allow them to cook faster and more evenly.
If you are serving vegetarians or vegans, make sure you have an alternative Thanksgiving main dish as well, such as roasted pumpkin lasagna or sweet potato tortellini.
If your family and friends simply don’t love turkey, you could make a smaller turkey plus a different type of meat, such as a spiral ham or an orange-glazed pork loin.
Light Meat vs. Dark Meat
If your guests have a strong preference for light or dark meat, grab a few extra cuts to make sure you have enough of the desired kind. Pick up extra turkey breasts for light meat lovers, and extra legs or thighs to have more dark meat available.
If your group only likes one kind, consider skipping the whole turkey altogether and only preparing turkey breast or turkey legs, depending on your crowd’s preference.
Choose a Great Turkey Recipe
It’s time to think about turkey prep. While there are many ways to season a turkey, here are two simple recipes to get started:
- For large groups: We love this simple marinated Thanksgiving turkey recipe.
- For small groups: This slow-cooker turkey recipe is an easy way to cook turkey breast.
Once you’ve chosen the perfect turkey recipe, make sure you know how to prepare it! This handy guide tells you exactly how long to cook a turkey.
How to Serve the Turkey
Once out of the oven, let the turkey rest for 20 to 30 minutes before carving (here are some tips on how to carve a turkey). Arrange the meat on a platter so your guests can choose which piece they like. A good rule of thumb: For every pound of turkey, you’ll get about 7 ounces of cooked meat. Some guests will eat less than that, some will eat more. Don’t forget leftovers—and know how to reheat turkey correctly to keep it nice and juicy!
More Thanksgiving Dinner Tips
How do you choose a turkey?
We have a whole guide full of tips for buying turkey, because there’s a lot to consider! Here are a few top-level tips:
- If you plan to brine a turkey at home, make sure the bird is not labeled as kosher, enhanced or self-basting. These labels indicate that the turkey has already been brined.
- After you figure out what size the turkey should be based on how many people you’re serving, double check that the bird will fit into the roasting pan you have at home. Here’s how to know what size roasting pan you’ll need.
- When you’ve got the type of turkey and desired weight figured out, look out for flat spots on the bird. You want to make sure that the breast is especially rounded, which means you’re more likely to end up with juicy meat.
How much stuffing do you need for Thanksgiving?
Plan to serve about 3/4 cup of stuffing per guest. That amounts to roughly 4 cups of prepared stuffing for 5 guests and 7-1/2 cups for 10 guests. However, if you have grand plans for using leftovers in Stuffin’ Muffins or turkey potpie with a stuffing crust, feel free to make a little bit more. For more info, check out our guide to Thanksgiving portions.
When it comes to stuffing recipes, you can go savory or sweet—or both. Whichever you choose, we recommend cooking stuffing outside of the turkey. But don’t let that empty cavity go to waste! Vegetables, fruits or herbs are the things you should put inside the turkey for added flavor.
How many side dishes should you have on Thanksgiving?
Well, that depends! You’ll need to consider your guest list and oven space, plus any family traditions. (One Taste of Home contributor always has her Grammy’s famous walnut, sausage and apple stuffing on the menu). We suggest making 2 to 4 of your family’s favorite sides, then encouraging guests to bring any other must-haves. Rolls and cranberry sauce are easy to outsource.
How long does it take to thaw a turkey?
Defrosting a turkey typically takes anywhere from several hours to a few days.Once you’ve bought the perfect bird, decide whether you’ll thaw the bird in the fridge or in cold water.
The refrigerator method requires 24 hours of thaw time for every 4 pounds of bird, but you can wait a day or two after thawing to cook it. The cold water method requires less time but a little more math. Thawing takes as little as 30 minutes per pound, but you’ll need to change the water frequently and cook the turkey immediately after thawing.
Thanksgiving Menu Ideas We Love
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Marinated Thanksgiving TurkeyThe secret to a perfectly tender and flavorful holiday turkey? In a word—marinate. After marination, grill your turkey up for a smoky, barbecued flavor. This method will cook your turkey to golden-brown perfection every single time. For more helpful hints, check out this guide for how to cook a turkey to perfection with tips from our Test Kitchen experts.Go to Recipe
Taste of Home
Cranberry SauceOne thing we learned from The Pioneer Woman's Thanksgiving tips is to make as many Thanksgiving dishes ahead of time as possible, which is why we love this cranberry sauce recipe. It stays fresh in the fridge until you're ready to serve it. Plus, it's a bit on the healthier side, but so delicious that your guests will never know!
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Apple Salad with Maple-Mustard VinaigretteHarness the flavors of fall with this refreshing Thanksgiving side. The apple and maple work together beautifully, and the lightness of this side dish balances out the richness and heartiness of other Thanksgiving dishes.
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Cranberry Ambrosia SaladOne bite of this fluffy ambrosia salad will transport you back in time to Thanksgiving at your grandmother's house. You can keep this traditional recipe alive in your family by introducing it to younger generations, alongside these Thanksgiving sides.
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Skillet Sausage Stuffing Recipe photo by Taste of Home
Skillet Sausage StuffingHere's a tip: Try dressing up a store-bought stuffing mix this year. Not only will this recipe save you time, but with the addition of pork sausage, mushrooms, celery and onion, it'll leave your guests wanting more! Discover more of our best-ever Thanksgiving recipes.
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Taste of Home
Pecan-Cornbread DressingThis pecan cornbread dressing requires only a few ingredients: cornbread, bacon, pecans, celery, green onion, butter... Need we say more?
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Mashed Potatoes with a KickWith very few ingredients and only two steps of instructions, this recipe will be a game-changer on Thanksgiving day. Despite its simplicity, these mashed potatoes are full of flavor due to a secret ingredient.
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Taste of Home
Seasoned Brown Rice PilafBrown rice and festive seasoning give this pilaf a special holiday spin. With a quick prep time, this side can simmer while you set the rest of the table. If you're serving lots of vegetarians or vegans, consider swapping the beef broth for veggie broth.
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Taste of Home
Granola Streusel Cranberry Muffin MixEveryone wants a little something to eat for breakfast on Thanksgiving day. Whip up these granola streusel muffins and serve them with coffee. This keeps hungry guests at bay so that the kitchen can stay free of stragglers during the busy day of cooking.
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Taste of Home
Roasted Red Pepper Green BeansThese green beans are smothered in a creamy sauce with shallot-and-chive cheese and topped with toasted pine nuts. Wowza! You'll only need five ingredients and about twenty minutes to whip up and plate this popular Thanksgiving menu item.
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Hasselback Sweet PotatoesWhat Thanksgiving menu is complete without Hasselback sweet potatoes? This recipe has a plethora of holiday flavors: orange zest, sage, toasty pecans and brown sugar butter, so every bite is packed with flavor and comfort.
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Family-Favorite Caramelized Onions Recipe photo by Taste of Home
Family-Favorite Caramelized OnionsWhether it's a topping for your turkey or an add-on to your stuffing recipe, these caramelized onions are the perfect addition to any Thanksgiving menu. They'll complement just about any Thanksgiving dish you serve!
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Baby Swiss Appetizer Cheesecake Recipe photo by Taste of Home
Baby Swiss Appetizer CheesecakeMake this gorgeous baby swiss cheesecake ahead of your big cooking day. This appetizer can chill for up to 24 hours. Set it out with crackers on Thanksgiving day for your hungry guests so you can keep cooking the main course.
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Taste of Home
Finnish Mulled WineIf you can't decide on the perfect wine for your Thanksgiving menu, look no further than Grandma's Finnish Mulled Wine. Prep this drink the night before serving. After a long day of cooking and cleaning, this is the drink you'll want to sit down with to kick off the celebration!
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Taste of Home
Cranberry and Roasted Beet SaladSneak in this healthy beet blend over greens on your Thanksgiving menu. It makes an easy swap for cranberry relish, and it's so tasty that it's a hit with everyone—even the kid's table!
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Taste of Home
Fresh Cranberry RelishThis cranberry medley can easily be made in advance. Although it tastes a bit tart at first, the chilling brings all of the flavors together. Spoon it over turkey for some spicy-sweet contrast.
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Cranberry Orange MimosasStart the holiday off right—these cranberry orange mimosas are the perfect festive beverage to toast with. Garnish with a sprig of fresh mint. Cheers!
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Better Brussels SproutsSave time on chopping veggies by buying Brussels sprout halves at the store. This delicious Thanksgiving side is even a hit amongst kiddos! The secret? A hint of coconut oil.
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Roasted Honey Sweet PotatoesYou don't have to break a sweat in the kitchen with this easy Thanksgiving menu recipe. Roast sweet potatoes in cinnamon and honey to bring out their natural sweet flavor. For more ideas, see our collection of Thanksgiving dinner ideas.
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Taste of Home
Cranberry Brie Pecan PinwheelsCalling all baked brie lovers! These pinwheels will be your new favorite recipe on the Thanksgiving menu. Use puff pastry dough and brie to make this amazing appetizer. For more ideas, these are our recipes for easy Thanksgiving appetizers.
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Mini Pumpkin Spice TriflesMake dessert a bit more special with these mini pumpkin spice trifles. Skip the pie buffet and give guests their own individual trifle. Talk about a sweet treat!
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Taste of Home
Maple-Glazed Green BeansWith a little bit of bacon and bourbon, no one can resist these maple green beans. This recipe comes together quickly and gets everyone excited about eating their vegetables.
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Taste of Home
Mom’s Sweet Potato BakeThis might just be the most important dish on your Thanksgiving menu—sweet potato casserole, just like mom used to make! Brown sugar, butter and a nutty topping are the keys to this delicious side. Your guests will be in creamy sweet potato heaven!
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Taste of Home
Garlic-Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Mustard SauceAn irresistible garlic mustard sauce makes these Brussels sprouts hard to pass up. Bonus: this recipe is on the table in just 20 minutes.
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Thyme-Roasted Carrots Recipe photo by Taste of Home
Thyme-Roasted CarrotsFor a lighter side for your Thanksgiving spread, try these honey thyme carrots. Here's a tip: cutting carrots lengthwise gives them an elegant, feast-worthy look.
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Corn Pudding Recipe photo by Taste of Home
Corn PuddingDon't forget the corn pudding! Corn has long been a staple of the Thanksgiving holiday. Serve up this creamy southern classic with your feast and there won't be any leftovers.
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Cranberry Pumpkin BreadIf you've got leftover canned pumpkin and cranberries, this is the recipe for you. This moist quick bread comes together with just a few simple ingredients for the perfect post-Thanksgiving treat.
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Honey-Squash Dinner RollsComplete your Thanksgiving menu with puffy dinner rolls. These fluffy rolls have a festive color and a delicious texture—just add any variety of squash to the dough.
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Taste of Home
Cranberry Pecan TassiesFinish off your feast with these darling pecan tassies. This version of the classic recipe adds cranberries. Guests will love nibbling on these light and buttery goodies after a heavy meal.
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Deviled Eggs with Bacon Recipe photo by Taste of Home
Deviled Eggs with BaconIt's been said before that every recipe can be improved upon with bacon—these deviled eggs prove that point! Bacon, relish and a hint of paprika are all it takes to take your deviled eggs from good to great.
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Holiday SalsaStock up on cream cheese and holiday salsa for your grazing table this season. It won't just come in handy on Thanksgiving, but on Christmas, New Year's and every gathering in between! The cold creaminess of the cheese perfectly compliments the firey sweetness of the holiday salsa.
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Bacon and Fontina Stuffed MushroomsGet ready for your guests to drop their jaws in amazement—these mushroom caps are stuffed with cheesy, bacony goodness. You'll be repeating this recipe long after the holiday is over!
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Taste of Home
Pumpkin Pie MartinisLooking for the perfect Thanksgiving co*cktail? This pumpkin pie martini is a festive addition to your Thanksgiving menu. Use heavy whipping cream, vanilla vodka, pumpkin spice seasoning and a little vanilla wafer for garnish.
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Taste of Home
Slow-Cooker Apple CiderIf it's looking like your holiday will fall on a chilly day, there's no better way to cozy up than with piping hot apple cider. This recipe comes together in your slow cooker so you can focus on other recipes while it's simmering.
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Taste of Home
Hot Spiced WineFor a fancier take on holiday wine, try this hot spiced wine recipe. It fuses red wine with fall flavors like apple and clove so guests can enjoy a special drink to pair with a special feast.
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Honey Spiced LatteIf you're hosting a bit earlier in the day and your crowd is full of coffee drinkers, this honey spiced latte will be a huge hit. Brew your favorite coffee in the coffee pot, then use a saucepan to froth up foamy, flavorful goodness to spoon on top.
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