How Much Food for 10 People at Thanksgiving?

For 10 people you need about a 13 lb turkey, 5 lb of potatoes, 8 cups of stuffing, 15 rolls and 3 pies. The table has the gravy, vegetables and the rest.

Jump to your result ↓

Your project

people
children
kinds

Results

Example job shown. Change the numbers to match yours.

Turkey
13 pounds
About 1¼ lb per person at a standard appetite. Add a pound or two for leftovers
What to buy
  • Dinner rolls15 rolls
Servings
10.0 people

Sides

Potatoes (mashed or roasted)About ½ lb raw per person. A pound makes about 1½ cups mashed
5 lb, raw
StuffingAbout ¾ cup per person, cooked
8 cups
Green beans or another vegetableAbout ¼ lb per person
2.50 lb
Cranberry sauceAbout ¼ cup per person
2.50 cups
GravyAbout ⅓ to ½ cup per person
4.0 cups
Dinner rollsAbout 1½ per person
15 rolls
ButterFor the rolls, potatoes and cooking
1.00 lb

Dessert

Pies (8 slices each)A slice and a bit each, and at least one of each of your 3 kinds
3 pies
Whipped creamAbout 2 tablespoons per slice
1.0 pints
  • Rules of thumb for a typical dinner with several sides. Children count as half and teenagers as full portions. Plan the fridge and oven space as well as the quantities: a turkey takes the oven for hours, so choose sides that can be made ahead or cooked at the same temperature.

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.

Thanksgiving food for 10 people

These amounts are for 10 adults at a standard appetite with several sides. Teenagers count as full portions and young children as half. Change the appetite, children and pies in the calculator to match your table.

DishAmount for 10Per person
Turkey13 lbAbout 1¼ lb of whole bird each
Potatoes, raw5 lbAbout ½ lb each
Stuffing8 cupsAbout ¾ cup each, cooked
Green beans or another vegetable2.50 lbAbout ¼ lb each
Cranberry sauce2.50 cupsAbout ¼ cup each
Gravy4.0 cupsAbout ⅓ to ½ cup each
Dinner rolls15About 1½ each
Butter1.00 lbRolls, potatoes and cooking
Pies (8 slices each)3A slice and a bit each, and one of each of 3 kinds
Whipped cream1.0 pintsAbout 2 tablespoons a slice

Light, standard or hearty appetites

AppetiteTurkeyPotatoes (raw)RollsPies
Light: many sides and desserts10 lb4 lb123
Standard13 lb5 lb153
Hearty, with leftovers17 lb7 lb203

If children are coming

GuestsTurkeyPotatoes (raw)Rolls
10 adults13 lb5 lb15
10 adults and 2 children14 lb6 lb17
10 adults and 4 children15 lb6 lb18

Order the turkey first and start thawing it early: a 13 lb bird needs about 4 days in the refrigerator. Use the Thanksgiving dinner calculator for your own guest list, or read how much food per person.

Want to change anything else? The calculator above is the full Thanksgiving Dinner Calculator: How Much Food Per Person: edit any number and the results update instantly.

Tools & materials for this project

Affiliate links As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. These links do not change what you pay.

Frequently asked questions

How much food do I need for Thanksgiving dinner for 10 people?

For 10 people at a standard appetite: a 13 lb turkey, 5 lb of raw potatoes, 8 cups of stuffing, 15 rolls, 4.0 cups of gravy and 3 pies. The table has the vegetable, cranberry, butter and whipped cream amounts too.

How big a turkey for 10 people at Thanksgiving?

About 13 lb at 1¼ lb a person for a standard dinner with lots of sides. For leftovers use 1.5 lb a person, which is 15 lb. See the turkey size for 10 people page for thawing and roasting.

How many pies for 10 people?

3 pies of 8 slices, which gives every guest a slice and a bit and at least one pie of each of three kinds. With a hearty appetite it is 3.

How much food if there are children?

Count children as half a guest. With 10 adults and 4 children the turkey goes from 13 lb to 15 lb.

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.