Knowing what size turkey to buy is an important piece of your Thanksgiving meal puzzle.
When it comes to turkey size, here are the main things you'll want to remember:
Count on 1 1/2 pounds of turkey per guest for no leftovers, or if you know you have a higher than usual amount of sides.
Count on 2 pounds per guest if you want leftovers(don't miss my Leftover Turkey Recipes for inspiration).
Using the information above, calculate your ideal turkey size with the following equation.
Number of guests x recommended pounds of turkey per person = weight of the turkey you should purchase.
So for 8 guests, you'll want a 12 pounder (for no leftovers) or 16 pounder (for ample leftovers). Or pick something in between.
Have a smaller or larger crowd than most? The tips below are for you!
If you're cooking for less than 4 people, I recommend skipping the full bird and doing a turkey breast instead (Crockpot Turkey Breast and Air Fryer Turkey Breast are great options).
If you are buying boneless meat, assume about 8 ounces per guest.
If you're cooking for more than 16 people, I suggest cooking 2 smaller birds or incorporating a second non-turkey main dish (like Crockpot Ham or Slow Cooker Pulled Pork).
NEED MORE TURKEY TIPS?
I have even MORE tips on how to calculate the amount of turkey per person RIGHT HERE. I also have a foolproof guide to cooking the best Thanksgiving Turkey RIGHT HERE.
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