How this calculator works
These are the portions that most cooks use for a holiday meal with several sides: about 1¼ pounds of turkey, ½ pound of raw potatoes, ¾ cup of stuffing, ¼ pound of green beans, ¼ cup of cranberry sauce, about ½ cup of gravy, 1½ rolls and a slice and a bit of pie per person. Children count as half, and the appetite setting scales everything.
Worked example: 10 adults and 2 children is 11 servings, which takes a 14 lb turkey, 6 lb of potatoes, 9 cups of stuffing, 17 rolls and 3 pies. For a hearty group with leftovers the turkey becomes 18 lb.
Food for common guest counts (standard appetite)
Turkey in pounds, raw potatoes in pounds, stuffing in cups and pies of 8 slices.
| Guests | Turkey | Potatoes | Stuffing | Rolls | Pies |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | 8 lb | 3 lb | 5 cups | 9 | 3 |
| 8 | 10 lb | 4 lb | 6 cups | 12 | 3 |
| 10 | 13 lb | 5 lb | 8 cups | 15 | 3 |
| 12 | 15 lb | 6 lb | 9 cups | 18 | 3 |
| 15 | 19 lb | 8 lb | 12 cups | 23 | 3 |
| 20 | 25 lb | 10 lb | 15 cups | 30 | 4 |
| 25 | 32 lb | 13 lb | 19 cups | 38 | 4 |
Tips before you buy
- Count teenagers and big eaters as full adults, and young children as half.
- Buy the turkey first, and start thawing it early: a big bird takes days in the refrigerator.
- Make what you can ahead: cranberry sauce, pies, rolls and casseroles all keep or reheat well.
- If guests are bringing dishes, ask what they are bringing so you do not end up with four green bean casseroles.
- Plan for leftovers by having containers on hand, and keep cooked food out of the fridge danger zone for no more than 2 hours.
Tools & materials for this project
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?
About 13 lb of turkey, 5 lb of potatoes, 8 cups of stuffing, 15 rolls and 3 pies, for a standard appetite. Add about a third for a hearty group.
How much turkey per person for Thanksgiving?
Plan on 1 to 1½ pounds of whole turkey per person. 1¼ pounds is a good standard figure, and 1½ to 2 pounds if you want leftovers.
How many pounds of potatoes for mashed potatoes?
About ½ pound of raw potatoes per person, so 6 lb for 11 servings. A pound of potatoes makes about 1½ cups mashed.
How many pies do I need?
Allow a slice and a bit per person across all the pies you serve: 3 pies of 8 slices for 11 servings. Offer more than one kind, because guests like to try two.
Add this calculator to your website
Running a blog, a contractor site or a class page? You can put this calculator on it for free. Copy the code below, and please leave the link underneath the calculator in place. The small script just resizes the frame to fit the results; if your site strips scripts, the calculator still works inside a scrolling frame.
Related calculators & guides
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.