How Much Turkey Per Person? Thanksgiving Portion Chart
Buying the right size turkey is the first Thanksgiving decision, and it sets your thaw date. Here's the simple rule, a chart by guest count, and how much of the side dishes to make.
Setting out the buffet? The Thanksgiving Food Labels printable – $3 has fold-over dish cards with gluten-free, dairy-free, vegetarian, vegan, nuts and spicy tick boxes, plus potluck and leftover labels. Print at home (Letter + A4).
The rule of thumb
Plan about 1 to 1½ pounds of whole turkey per person. A whole bird is partly bone, so 1 lb per person gives everyone a good serving, and 1½ lb leaves leftovers. For a boneless turkey breast, plan about ½ lb per person. For a bone-in breast, about ¾ lb.
Count kids as about half a portion.
Turkey size by guest count
| Guests | Just dinner (1 lb each) | With leftovers (1½ lb each) |
|---|---|---|
| 4 | 4–6 lb (or a bone-in breast) | 6–8 lb |
| 6 | 6–8 lb | 9–10 lb |
| 8 | 8–10 lb | 12 lb |
| 10 | 10–12 lb | 15 lb |
| 12 | 12–14 lb | 18 lb |
| 16 | 16 lb | 24 lb (or two 12 lb birds) |
| 20 | 20 lb | two 15 lb birds |
Above about 20 lb, two smaller turkeys cook faster and more evenly than one huge one.
Side dishes per person
Rough amounts for an adult who also eats turkey:
- Mashed potatoes: about ½ lb raw potatoes
- Stuffing: about ¾ cup cooked
- Gravy: about ⅓ cup
- Green vegetables: about ½ cup (¼ lb); for a casserole see green bean casserole per person
- Sweet potato casserole: about ½ cup (⅓ lb raw sweet potatoes)
- Cranberry sauce: about ¼ cup
- Rolls: 1½ to 2
- Pie: one 9-inch pie serves about 8
If you have five or more sides, make a bit less of each.
Worked example: 10 guests, wanting leftovers
10 × 1½ lb = 15 lb turkey. Thawing in the fridge takes about a day per 4–5 lb, so move it to the fridge by Friday, Nov 20 for Thursday, Nov 26, 2026 (see the turkey thaw calculator). Sides: 5 lb potatoes, about 7½ cups of stuffing, about 3½ cups of gravy, 20 rolls and 2 pies.
Common questions
Is 1 lb per person enough? Yes for one meal. Go to 1½ lb if you want sandwiches the next day.
How long will it take to roast? Roughly 13–15 minutes per pound unstuffed at 325°F, but always check with a thermometer: 165°F in the thickest part of the thigh and breast.
How long do leftovers keep? About 3 to 4 days in the fridge. Refrigerate within 2 hours of serving.
Plan the whole day in one sheet: the Holiday Dinner Cooking Timeline Calculator ($5, Excel + Google Sheets) turns turkey weight and dinner time into a thaw date, oven-in time and dish schedule. A pen and the chart above work too.
Labeling the buffet? 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.
Related template: read about the thanksgiving planner 2026 template
See all Cedar & Ledger templates
Frequently asked questions
What does this guide cover?
How much turkey per person: 1 to 1.5 lb of whole turkey each, a chart for 4 to 20 guests, side dish amounts and a 10-guest worked example for Nov 26, 2026.
What's the main idea?
Plan about 1 to 1½ pounds of whole turkey per person. A whole bird is partly bone, so 1 lb per person gives everyone a good serving, and 1½ lb leaves leftovers. For a boneless turkey breast, plan about ½ lb per person. For a bone-in breast, about ¾ lb.
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.