How Many Pounds of Potatoes for Mashed Potatoes? Chart by Guests
Allow about half a pound of raw potatoes per person. For 10 people that is 5 lb, which mashes to about 7.5 cups, and for 20 people 10 lb. The chart covers 4 to 50 guests at three appetites, from the Thanksgiving dinner calculator.
Part of the project planner: Planning the holidays: dinner, tree and lights.
Potatoes by number of guests
Raw weight, before peeling. "Cups mashed" and the 5 lb bags are for a standard appetite; children count as half a guest.
| Guests | Light | Standard | Hearty | Cups mashed | 5 lb bags |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 2 lb | 2 lb | 3 lb | 3.0 cups | 1 |
| 6 | 3 lb | 3 lb | 4 lb | 4.5 cups | 1 |
| 8 | 4 lb | 4 lb | 6 lb | 6.0 cups | 1 |
| 10 | 4 lb | 5 lb | 7 lb | 7.5 cups | 1 |
| 12 | 5 lb | 6 lb | 8 lb | 9.0 cups | 2 |
| 15 | 6 lb | 8 lb | 10 lb | 12.0 cups | 2 |
| 20 | 8 lb | 10 lb | 13 lb | 15.0 cups | 2 |
| 25 | 10 lb | 13 lb | 17 lb | 19.5 cups | 3 |
| 30 | 12 lb | 15 lb | 20 lb | 22.5 cups | 3 |
| 40 | 16 lb | 20 lb | 26 lb | 30.0 cups | 4 |
| 50 | 20 lb | 25 lb | 33 lb | 37.5 cups | 5 |
A light appetite suits a dinner with several other starches, such as stuffing, sweet potatoes and rolls. Hearty is for a crowd who go back for seconds, or when you want leftovers: 20 hearty eaters need 13 lb against 10 lb for a standard table.
Gravy, stuffing and butter to go with them
Mashed potatoes take most of the gravy, so plan them together. At a standard appetite:
| Guests | Potatoes | Gravy | Stuffing | Butter (all cooking) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | 3 lb | 2.5 cups | 5 cups | 1.00 lb |
| 10 | 5 lb | 4.0 cups | 8 cups | 1.00 lb |
| 15 | 8 lb | 6.0 cups | 12 cups | 1.00 lb |
| 20 | 10 lb | 8.0 cups | 15 cups | 1.00 lb |
| 30 | 15 lb | 12.0 cups | 23 cups | 1.50 lb |
The butter figure covers the potatoes, the rolls and general cooking, so it is the minimum to have in the refrigerator, not just what goes in the mash.
Cooking for a big crowd
- A big pot is the limit. 10 lb for 20 people needs a large stock pot with room for plenty of water, or two pots on two burners.
- For 25 lb (50 guests), cook in batches, or split the work: one person peels and another mashes.
- Cut the potatoes into even pieces so they cook at the same rate, and start them in cold, salted water.
- Mashed potatoes keep warm well in a slow cooker on its warm setting, which frees a burner and the oven for the rest of the dinner.
- Starchy potatoes (russets) make a fluffy mash, and waxy or all-purpose potatoes (Yukon Gold) a creamier one. Do not use a blender or food processor, which makes the mash gluey.
For the whole dinner, see how much food per person, how many pies for Thanksgiving and the charts for 10 people and 25 people.
Frequently asked questions
How many pounds of potatoes do I need for 20 people?
10 lb of raw potatoes at a standard appetite, which is 2 five-pound bags. For a hearty crowd or leftovers, 13 lb.
How many pounds of mashed potatoes per person?
About half a pound of raw potatoes per person, which makes about three quarters of a cup of mash. Allow a little less when there are lots of other sides.
How many potatoes for 12 people?
6 lb of raw potatoes at a standard appetite, about 9.0 cups mashed, or 2 five-pound bags.
Can I make mashed potatoes the day before?
Yes. Cool them quickly, keep them covered in the refrigerator, and reheat them with a little extra milk or butter, stirring until they are hot all the way through.
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