How Much Mashed Potatoes Per Person? Sides Chart
Mashed potatoes are the side that runs out first. Here's how much to make per guest, a chart for 4 to 24 guests, and the same math for stuffing, gravy, rolls and the rest of the Thanksgiving table (Thursday, Nov 26, 2026).
The rule of thumb
Plan about ½ lb of raw potatoes per person when mashed potatoes are one of several sides. That makes roughly ¾ cup mashed. If mashed potatoes are the star side or your crowd loves leftovers, go to ¾ lb per person.
Count kids as about half a portion. A 5 lb bag feeds about 10 adults.
Mashed potatoes by guest count
| Guests | Raw potatoes (½ lb each) | Generous (¾ lb each) | About this much mashed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 2 lb | 3 lb | 3 cups |
| 6 | 3 lb | 4½ lb | 4½ cups |
| 8 | 4 lb | 6 lb | 6 cups |
| 10 | 5 lb | 7½ lb | 7½ cups |
| 12 | 6 lb | 9 lb | 9 cups |
| 16 | 8 lb | 12 lb | 12 cups |
| 20 | 10 lb | 15 lb | 15 cups |
| 24 | 12 lb | 18 lb | 18 cups |
For every 5 lb of potatoes, plan roughly 1 stick (½ cup) of butter and 1 to 1½ cups of warm milk or cream. Adjust to taste.
Other sides per person
Rough amounts for an adult who also eats turkey or ham:
| Side | Per person | For 10 guests |
|---|---|---|
| Stuffing / dressing | about ¾ cup cooked | about 7½ cups (two 12 oz bags of dry stuffing mix, or one 9x13 pan plus a little) |
| Gravy | about ⅓ cup | about 3½ cups |
| Green beans / vegetables (casserole) | about ¼ lb (½ cup) | about 2½ lb |
| Sweet potatoes | about ⅓ lb | about 3½ lb |
| Mac and cheese | about ½ to ¾ cup | one 9x13 pan (1 lb pasta) |
| Cranberry sauce | about ¼ cup | about 2½ cups (two 14 oz cans) |
| Rolls | 1½ to 2 | 20 rolls |
| Pie | 1 slice (8 per 9-inch pie) | 2 pies |
Five or more sides? Cut each one by about a quarter. People take a smaller spoonful of each when there are many dishes.
Worked example: 12 guests (10 adults, 2 kids)
Count the kids as one adult, so plan for 11. Mashed potatoes: 11 × ½ lb = 5½ lb, round up to 6 lb (a 5 lb bag plus a few). Stuffing about 8 cups, gravy about 4 cups, 3 lb green beans, 22 rolls, 2 pies. With 6 sides on the table, you could trim each by a quarter, but potatoes and gravy are the two worth keeping at full size.
Make-ahead tips
- Mashed potatoes hold well: make them up to 2 days ahead, refrigerate, then reheat covered in a slow cooker on low (about 2 to 3 hours) with a splash of milk. That frees the stove on Thursday.
- Gravy can be made a day ahead from stock and finished with pan drippings.
- Stuffing can be assembled the day before and baked on the day.
- Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours. They keep about 3 to 4 days.
Common questions
How many potatoes is ½ lb? About one medium russet or two to three small Yukon Golds.
Russet or Yukon Gold? Russets make the fluffiest mash; Yukon Golds are creamier and need less butter. Many cooks mix both.
How much for a potluck? If you're bringing mashed potatoes to a potluck, plan about ⅓ lb per guest because there will be lots of other dishes.
Plan the rest of the meal
- How much turkey per person and how long to cook a turkey
- How many pies for Thanksgiving
- Thanksgiving grocery list 2026 and the Thanksgiving cooking timeline
- Hosting at Christmas? See how much ham per person.
Label the side dishes: the Thanksgiving Food Labels printable ($3) has fold-over dish cards with diet and allergy tick boxes. Labels help guests choose, but they don't guarantee a dish is allergen-free. Hosting friends? The Friendsgiving Place Cards & Table Set ($3) adds name cards, potluck labels and a menu card.
Schedule the oven: the Holiday Dinner Cooking Timeline Calculator ($5, Excel + Google Sheets) turns dinner time into a schedule for every dish. A pen and the chart above work too.
Related template: read about the thanksgiving planner 2026 template
See all Cedar & Ledger templates
Frequently asked questions
What does this guide cover?
Mashed potatoes per person: 1/2 lb raw each, a chart for 4 to 24 guests, stuffing, gravy and side amounts, and a 12-guest example.
What's the main idea?
Plan about ½ lb of raw potatoes per person when mashed potatoes are one of several sides. That makes roughly ¾ cup mashed. If mashed potatoes are the star side or your crowd loves leftovers, go to ¾ lb per person.
Do I need a template to do this?
No. A notebook or a sheet you build yourself works fine. Cedar & Ledger also sells spreadsheet templates (I'd earn from a purchase); see the template box at the top of this page.
Is this financial advice?
No. It's general information with example numbers only, not financial, tax, legal or medical advice. Use your own numbers and check anything important with a qualified professional or the official source.