Thanksgiving Serving Guide How Much Food to Prepare

Thanksgiving is a time for gathering with loved ones, sharing stories, and enjoying a delicious feast. However, not sure how much food to cook can be a little overwhelming. You want to make sure you have enough food for everyone without ending up with a mountain of leftovers. Don’t worry, this handy guide will have you 100% prepared to host the best Thanksgiving meal ever whether it’s a smaller gathering or large one. I’ll show you how to host a stress-free Thanksgiving menu everyone will love.

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I’ve been hosting large gatherings for Christmas and Thanksgiving for 20 + years now. Some with 50 or more people so I can say my estimates in this post are from real-life experiences and you will even have a few leftovers for the next day.

An interesting fact you may not have known.  Eating a pound of turkey sounds like a lot (at least for me with all those sides)  Reality is, you are not eating a pound of turkey, you are eating a little over 1/2 pound of turkey. A whole turkey loses some of its weight with the cooking process and the added weight of the bones. 

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Turkey

Serving Size: The general rule of thumb is to plan for 1 to 1.2 pounds per number of guests.

Example: For 10 guests, aim for 10 pounds of turkey. If you are looking for lots of leftovers, plan for 1.2- 1.5 pounds per person, this ensures plenty of meat for everyone, plus some for sandwiches the next day!

                                                      How Long to Cook a Turkey

 

Next, you want to ensure your turkey is cooked to perfection, cooking times are extremely important!  The internal temperature needs to reach 165°F, which you can gauge using a meat thermometer or an instant-read thermometer

Whole turkey: 165°F in the breast and 175°F in the thigh.

Whole turkey, stuffed: The center of the stuffing must reach 165°F.

Unstuffed Turkey Cooking Times

4 to 8 pounds (breast only): 1 1/2 to 3 1/4 hours

8 to 12 pounds: 2 3/4 to 3 hours

12 to 14 pounds: 3 to 3 3/4 hours

14 to 18 pounds: 3 3/4 to 4 1/4 hours

18 to 20 pounds: 4 1/4 to 4 1/2 hours

20 to 24 pounds: 4 1/2 to 5 hours

Stuffed Turkey Cooking Times

6 to 8 pounds (breast only): 2 1/2 to 3 1/2 hours

8 to 12 pounds: 3 to 3 1/2 hours

12 to 14 pounds: 3 1/2 to 4 hours

14 to 18 pounds: 4 to 4 1/4 hours

18 to 20 pounds: 4 1/4 to 4 3/4 hours

20 to 24 pounds: 4 3/4 to 5 1/4 hours

 

Thanksgiving Side Dishes

Stuffing

• Aim for about ½ to 1 cup per person. If you have a variety of sides, you won’t need as much stuffing, lean toward the lower end.

Mashed Potatoes

• Approximately ½ to 1 pound of potatoes per person is ideal. If you’re serving a large group, consider making a little extra for those who can’t resist seconds!

Gravy

• Plan for about ¼ cup of gravy per person. It’s a classic accompaniment, so don’t skimp!

Veggie sides

• Around ½ to 1 cup per person is a good guideline. Consider a mix of seasonal veggies like green beans, (or green bean casserole) Sweet potatoes, Brussels sprouts, or roasted root vegetables.

Cranberry Sauce

• Estimate about ¼ to ½ cup of cranberry sauce per person. This tangy side adds a lovely contrast to the richness of the turkey and stuffing.

​Bread

Dinner Rolls

• Estimate 1-2 rolls per person. Soft, buttery rolls are always a hit!

Biscuits or Cornbread

• If you’re serving these instead, plan for about 1-2 pieces per person.

Desserts

Pie

• Plan for 1 pie per 4-6 people. Classic options like pumpkin pie, pecan pie, and apple pie are always favorites.

Other Desserts

• A small slice or serving per person is perfect if you’re offering additional desserts.

Beverages

Wine

• About ½ bottle per person is a good rule of thumb for wine lovers.

Non-alcoholic Drinks

• Estimate around 1-2 servings per person for those who prefer non-alcoholic options.

Final Tips

• Adjust for Preferences: Tailor your quantities based on your guests’ preferences, dietary restrictions, and food allergies.  Maybe ask ahead of time whether they prefer dark meat or white meat.
• Leftovers: Remember, a little extra isn’t a bad thing! Leftovers can make for delicious post-Thanksgiving meals or a pot pie.
• Start your grocery list a week ahead, and make sure you have enough oven space.

Whether you are a seasoned host or a first-time host, with this guide, you can approach your Thanksgiving feast planning with confidence. Cooking Thanksgiving dinner doesn’t have to be stressful! 
Happy Thanksgiving, and enjoy your Thanksgiving day, spending time with family and friends around the table!
Hopefully, this has helped you prepare for the big day!