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Turkey Timelineby plusbeauxjours

How big a turkey do I need?

12 people: 12 lb (USDA, 1 lb each), 18 lb with leftovers (common rule)

Your table

1 to 40
0 to 40
Leftovers?

Buy about common rule

18 lb

USDA's base: 1 lb per person = 12 lb.

Turkey size by number of people (adults)
PeopleUSDA, 1 lb each USDAWith leftovers, 1½ lb each common rule
44 lb6 lb
66 lb9 lb
88 lb12 lb
1010 lb15 lb
1212 lb18 lb
1414 lb21 lb
1616 lb24 lb
1818 lb27 lbover 24 lb: two birds
2020 lb30 lbover 24 lb: two birds
2424 lb36 lbover 24 lb: two birds
  • Kids: about ½ lb each (common rule). Leftovers don't change it.
  • More than 24 lb: USDA's roasting chart stops at 24 lb. Many hosts buy two smaller birds or add a turkey breast.
  • A frozen pre-stuffed turkey: USDA says 1¼ lb per person. Don't thaw it; follow the package directions.

Got your weight? Plan the thaw day and oven time.

Questions

How big a turkey for 12 people?

USDA says to allow 1 pound per person, so 12 lb for 12. If you want leftovers, the common rule is 1½ lb per adult: 18 lb. Count kids at about ½ lb each.

How much turkey per kid?

About ½ lb per child (a common rule, not USDA's). Leftovers don't change it.

What about a frozen pre-stuffed turkey?

USDA: allow 1¼ lb per person. Don't thaw it; follow the directions on the package. This planner is for turkeys you stuff yourself or not at all.

Sources

  1. Portions, thawing, roasting, doneness, leftovers

    1 lb of turkey per person (1¼ lb frozen pre-stuffed); fridge and cold-water thawing; a thawed turkey keeps 1 or 2 days; oven no lower than 325 °F; 165 °F in the thigh, wing and breast; stand 20 minutes; cooking from frozen takes at least 50 percent longer; leftovers within 2 hours, use in 3 to 4 days.

    USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service: Let's Talk Turkey: A Consumer Guide to Safely Roasting a Turkey (opens in a new tab) · Checked

    Primary source

  2. Common rule: 1½ lb per adult with leftovers, ½ lb per kid

    Portion calculator: 1 lb per adult, 1½ lb per adult with leftovers, ½ lb per child (10 adults with leftovers → 15 lb; 10 kids → 5 lb).

    Butterball: Calculators and Conversions (opens in a new tab) · Checked

    Common rule

  3. Common rule: 1 to 1½ lb per person

    “The general rule is 1 to 1½ pounds of turkey per person.”

    Bon Appétit: How Much Turkey Do You Need Per Guest at Thanksgiving? (opens in a new tab) · Checked

    Common rule