How Much Turkey Per Person
Allow 1 pound of whole turkey per person, or 1½ pounds for hearty eaters and leftovers. For 12 guests, buy a 12 lb turkey, or 18 lb to have leftovers. A 12 lb bird needs 3 days to thaw in the fridge and 2¾ to 3 hours to roast at 325°F.
Turkey Size Calculator
How big a turkey to buy, when to start thawing it, and how long it roasts.
Buy at least a 12 pound turkey.
| Thaw in the fridge | 3 days (move it to the fridge by Monday, November 23) |
|---|---|
| Or thaw in cold water | about 6 hours, changing the water every 30 minutes |
| Roast at 325°F | 2¾ to 3 hours |
| Done at | 165°F in the thickest part of the thigh, wing and breast |
Planning figures from USDA FSIS and University of Illinois Extension. Weights are as bought (raw, with bone). Roasting times are a guide only: a turkey is done when a food thermometer reads 165°F.
Turkey Size by Number of Guests
Whole turkey, raw weight with bones. Thawing and roasting times are for the standard size, one bird each.
| Guests | Turkey (1 lb each) | With leftovers (1½ lb) | Thaw in fridge | Roast unstuffed, 325°F |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 4 lb | 6 lb | 1 day | by thermometer (under 8 lb) |
| 6 | 6 lb | 9 lb | 2 days | by thermometer (under 8 lb) |
| 8 | 8 lb | 12 lb | 2 days | 2¾ to 3 hours |
| 10 | 10 lb | 15 lb | 3 days | 2¾ to 3 hours |
| 12 | 12 lb | 18 lb | 3 days | 2¾ to 3 hours |
| 14 | 14 lb | 21 lb | 4 days | 3 to 3¾ hours |
| 16 | 16 lb | 24 lb | 4 days | 3¾ to 4¼ hours |
| 18 | 18 lb | 2 × 14 lb | 5 days | 3¾ to 4¼ hours |
| 20 | 20 lb | 2 × 15 lb | 5 days | 4¼ to 4½ hours |
| 25 | 2 × 13 lb | 2 × 19 lb | 4 days | 3 to 3¾ hours |
| 30 | 2 × 15 lb | 2 × 23 lb | 4 days | 3¾ to 4¼ hours |
Above 24 lb the chart splits the turkey into two birds, because USDA's roasting chart stops at 24 lb.
When to Start Thawing for Thanksgiving 2026
Thanksgiving is Thursday, November 26, 2026. USDA allows about 24 hours in the refrigerator for every 4 to 5 pounds; these dates use the slower rate so the bird is fully thawed.
| Turkey | Fridge time | Move to the fridge by | Cold water instead |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12 lb | 3 days | Monday, November 23 | 6 hours |
| 16 lb | 4 days | Sunday, November 22 | 8 hours |
| 20 lb | 5 days | Saturday, November 21 | 10 hours |
| 24 lb | 6 days | Friday, November 20 | 12 hours |
A thawed turkey keeps 1 to 2 days in the refrigerator, so starting a day early is safe. Cook a turkey thawed in cold water straight away.
Turkey Roasting Times at 325°F
USDA FSIS timetable for a fully thawed turkey.
| Weight | Unstuffed | Stuffed |
|---|---|---|
| 4 to 8 lb (breast) | 1½ to 3¼ hours | 2½ to 3½ hours (6 to 8 lb) |
| 8 to 12 lb | 2¾ to 3 hours | 3 to 3½ hours |
| 12 to 14 lb | 3 to 3¾ hours | 3½ to 4 hours |
| 14 to 18 lb | 3¾ to 4¼ hours | 4 to 4¼ hours |
| 18 to 20 lb | 4¼ to 4½ hours | 4¼ to 4¾ hours |
| 20 to 24 lb | 4½ to 5 hours | 4¾ to 5¼ hours |
Times are a guide. The turkey is safe at 165°F in the thickest part of the thigh, the wing and the breast, and stuffing must reach 165°F too. See the meat temperature guide for other meats.
Buying Tips
Serving Ham Too? Buy the Smaller Amount
Illinois Extension suggests the lower figure, 1 pound per person, when turkey is one of two meats. Work out the ham or roast with the meat per person calculator.
Fresh or Frozen
Buy a fresh turkey only 1 to 2 days before cooking. A frozen one can be bought weeks ahead, but needs days in the fridge to thaw: count back from the chart above.
Pre-Stuffed Birds
USDA allows 1¼ pounds per person for a frozen pre-stuffed turkey, which must go into the oven still frozen. Never stuff a turkey the night before.
Converting the Sides
Scaling grandma's stuffing for a bigger crowd? The recipe scaler multiplies every line, and grams to cups handles recipes in weights.
Sources
- USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service, "Let's Talk Turkey Roasting" (last updated November 17, 2023): 1 lb per person, 1¼ lb pre-stuffed, thawing rates, the 325°F timetable and 165°F.
- University of Illinois Extension, "Choosing Your Turkey": 1½ lb per person for hearty eaters or leftovers, ½ lb of bone-in breast, and the lower amount when serving two meats.
Checked . The leftovers figure for a breast (¾ lb) scales Illinois Extension's ½ lb by the same 1.5 it uses for whole birds. Food safety rules come from USDA; follow the label on your turkey too.
Questions
How much turkey do I need per person?
Allow 1 pound of whole turkey per person, the USDA figure. For hearty eaters or plenty of leftovers, University of Illinois Extension suggests 1½ pounds per person. The weight is the raw bird with its bones, about half of which ends up as meat on the plate.
How big of a turkey do I need for 8 people?
An 8 lb turkey at 1 pound per person, or a 12 lb turkey for hearty eaters and leftovers. Whole turkeys under 10 lb can be hard to find, so a 10 to 12 lb bird is a safe buy for 8 with a little left over.
How big of a turkey do I need for 20 people?
A 20 lb turkey at 1 pound per person, or 30 lb for leftovers. Above 24 lb, two smaller birds are easier: they fit the oven, thaw sooner and roast in the times USDA lists.
How much turkey breast per person?
University of Illinois Extension suggests ½ pound of bone-in turkey breast per person. A 6 lb bone-in breast serves about 12. Allow more, about ¾ pound each, if you want leftovers.
How long does a turkey take to thaw?
In the refrigerator, about 24 hours for every 4 to 5 pounds: a 16 lb turkey needs 3 to 4 days. In cold water, about 30 minutes per pound, changing the water every 30 minutes: 8 hours for a 16 lb bird. Never thaw a turkey on the counter.
How long do I cook a turkey per pound?
USDA's chart is by weight band, not per pound: at 325°F an unstuffed 12 to 14 lb turkey takes 3 to 3¾ hours and a 20 to 24 lb turkey 4½ to 5 hours. It's done when a food thermometer reads 165°F in the thickest part of the thigh, wing and breast.
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