How Big a Turkey for 12 People?

For 12 people buy a 18 lb turkey, at 1.5 lb a person. It needs 5 days to thaw in the refrigerator and roasts for 3 h 45 min to 4 h 15 min at 325°F. Use 1 lb a person if you have lots of sides, or 2 lb for leftovers.

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Turkey to buy

18 pounds

Whole turkey, for 12.0 servings

Servings: 12.0 people

Thawing

Thaw in the refrigerator24 hours for every 4 to 5 lb, at 40°F or below. The safest way: 5 days
Or in cold water30 minutes a lb in a sealed bag, changing the water every 30 minutes. Cook it right away: 9.0 hours

Roasting

Roast at 325°F, unstuffedCheck with a thermometer, not the clock: 3 h 45 min to 4 h 15 min
Safe internal temperatureIn the thickest part of the breast and thigh, and the stuffing: 165°F
Rest before carvingCover loosely with foil: 20 to 30 min

Roasting times are the USDA chart for an unstuffed turkey at 325°F and change with the oven, the pan and the bird, so cook to temperature. Never thaw a turkey on the counter. A frozen turkey can be cooked from frozen, but takes about 50% longer.

Before you buy: round up to whole packs, check the size printed on the label, and add a little spare. Your supplier has the final say.

Turkey size for 12 people

These figures are for whole turkey, counting each adult as one serving and each child as half. The turkey on this page is sized at 1.5 lb a person; change the appetite and the guests in the calculator to match your table.

How hungry are they?	Turkey to buy
1 lb each: the USDA minimum, with lots of sides	12 lb
1.25 lb each: standard	15 lb
1.5 lb each: some leftovers	18 lb
2 lb each: plenty of leftovers	24 lb

If you have children at the table

Guests	Turkey at 1.5 lb each	Servings
12 adults	18 lb	12.0
12 adults and 2 children	20 lb	13.0
12 adults and 4 children	21 lb	14.0
12 adults and 6 children	23 lb	15.0

Thawing and roasting

An 18 lb turkey needs 5 days to thaw in the refrigerator (24 hours for every 4 lb, rounded up), or 9.0 hours in cold water, changing the water every 30 minutes. Roast it at 325°F for 3 h 45 min to 4 h 15 min unstuffed, until the thickest part of the thigh reaches 165°F.

Never thaw a turkey on the counter. Read how long to thaw a turkey and how long to cook a turkey for the full timings, or use the Thanksgiving dinner calculator for the sides and pies.

Want to change anything else? The calculator above is the full Turkey Size Calculator: How Big a Turkey for Thanksgiving?: edit any number and the results update instantly.

Tools & materials for this project

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Roasting pan with rack Instant-read meat thermometer Brining bag Disposable roasting pans Gravy separator

Frequently asked questions

How big a turkey do I need for 12 people?

An 18 lb turkey, at 1.5 lb of whole bird per person. That gives each guest a full helping and some leftovers. At the USDA minimum of 1 lb a person it is 12 lb, and for lots of leftovers (2 lb each) it is 24 lb.

How much turkey per person?

Plan 1 to 1.5 lb of whole turkey per person, because about half of a whole bird is bone. Use 1 lb if there are many sides, 1.5 lb for leftovers and 2 lb if you want turkey sandwiches for days.

Do children count as a full person?

Count them as half. With 12 adults and 4 children the turkey is 21 lb instead of 18 lb.

How many days to thaw a turkey for 12 people?

An 18 lb turkey needs 5 days in the refrigerator at 40°F or below, so start thawing 5 to 6 days before you cook.

Related sizes and guides

Related sizes

Estimates only. Results assume standard materials and simple shapes. Supplier products vary, and the final call on quantity, structure and safety is yours. Check your local code and your supplier's guidance before ordering.

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