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How much turkey per person?
Buy 1½ pounds of whole turkey per guest, weighed raw. That covers the bones and leaves leftovers. An 18 lb turkey feeds 12. Serving a ham too? About 1 pound per guest is enough.
18 lb turkey
Or 2 bone-in turkey breasts, 6 lb each.
Turkey size by guest count
| Guests | Whole turkey | With a ham too | Bone-in breast |
|---|
Raw weight, rounded up to the next pound. Whole turkeys rarely come smaller than 10 lb; above 24 lb, buy two smaller birds.
Plan the oven around your turkey
Oven Plan works backward from dinner: when the turkey goes in, which sides bake while it rests, and what to buy for your guest count. The oven schedule is free.
Plan my dinnerQuestions
Why 1½ pounds per person?
USDA's guide uses 1 pound of whole turkey per person. A good share of a whole bird's weight is bone, and the extra half pound is what gives you leftovers for the next day.
What if I'm serving ham or beef too?
Guests take less of each. With two mains, plan about 1 pound of turkey per guest.
How big can one turkey be?
USDA's roasting times stop at 24 pounds. For more than about 16 guests, two smaller birds cook faster and more evenly than one giant one. Frying or smoking? Keep each bird to 14 pounds or under.
When does a frozen turkey go in the fridge?
A full day for every 4 pounds. Get your date with the thaw calculator.
How long does it take to cook?
About 13 to 15 minutes a pound at 325°F, unstuffed. Get the time it goes in the oven.
Sources: USDA FSIS, Let's Talk Turkey. Portions are Oven Plan's, set by a catering chef.