Countdown for 12 guests, dinner at 3 pm
A frozen turkey at 1.25 lb a person (the dinner calculator's standard appetite) and Thanksgiving on Thursday, November 26, 2026. Times in bold are on the day; amounts come from the Thanksgiving dinner calculator.
| When | What | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Saturday, November 21 | Frozen turkey into the refrigerator | 4 days for 15 lb at about 24 hours per 4 to 5 lb, plus a spare day. |
| Wednesday, November 25 | Pies, cranberry sauce, chopping | 3 pies, 3 cups of cranberry sauce, the onions and celery for 9 cups of stuffing. |
| 9:55 am | Oven on to 325°F | Giblets out; pat the bird dry. |
| 10:15 am | Turkey in, unstuffed | Allows the full 3 h 45 min to 4 h 15 min. |
| 2:00 pm | First temperature check | 165°F in the thickest part of the thigh and breast. |
| 2:15 pm | Potatoes on to boil | 6 lb for mashing. |
| 2:30 pm | Turkey out to rest | 30 minutes under foil; stuffing and casseroles into the oven. |
| 2:40 pm | Gravy and rolls | 5 cups of gravy, 18 rolls. |
| 3:00 pm | Carve and serve |
The 15 lb turkey at other dinner times
Each time uses the long end of the USDA range at 325°F and a 30 minute rest, so a fast bird just rests longer.
| Dinner at | Oven on | Turkey in | First check | Out to rest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1:00 pm | 7:55 am | 8:15 am | 12:00 pm | 12:30 pm |
| 2:00 pm | 8:55 am | 9:15 am | 1:00 pm | 1:30 pm |
| 3:00 pm | 9:55 am | 10:15 am | 2:00 pm | 2:30 pm |
| 4:00 pm | 10:55 am | 11:15 am | 3:00 pm | 3:30 pm |
| 5:00 pm | 11:55 am | 12:15 pm | 4:00 pm | 4:30 pm |
Twelve guests: a bigger bird for leftovers
At 1.25 lb each, twelve guests need a 15 lb turkey. For leftovers, the 1.5 lb setting gives an 18 lb bird, which needs 5 days to thaw instead of 4, so it goes into the refrigerator by Friday, November 20.
The oven plan does not change: both weights sit in the same USDA band (3 h 45 min to 4 h 15 min), so either bird goes in at 10:15 am for a 3 pm dinner. What changes is the pan and the refrigerator space.
How much turkey a person? The USDA's consumer guide allows about 1 lb of whole turkey a person for a fresh or frozen bird and 1¼ lb for a pre-stuffed one; this page uses 1.25 lb. See how big a turkey for 12 people, how much food for 12 and the one-oven Thanksgiving cooking schedule.
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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Frequently asked questions
What is the Thanksgiving timeline for 12 people?
Move a frozen 15 lb turkey to the refrigerator by Saturday, November 21, make the pies and cranberry sauce on Wednesday, November 25, and for a 3 pm dinner put the turkey in at 10:15 am with the oven on at 9:55 am.
What size turkey for 12 with leftovers?
18 lb at 1.5 lb a person, against 15 lb at 1.25 lb. It thaws in 5 days and roasts 3 h 45 min to 4 h 15 min at 325°F.
What time should a turkey for 12 go in for a 4 pm dinner?
At 11:15 am for the 15 lb bird, with the oven on at 10:55 am.
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.