Countdown for 8 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Sunday, November 22 | Frozen turkey into the refrigerator | 3 days for 10 lb at about 24 hours per 4 to 5 lb, plus a spare day. |
| Wednesday, November 25 | Pies, cranberry sauce, chopping | 3 pies, 2 cups of cranberry sauce, the onions and celery for 6 cups of stuffing. |
| 11:10 am | Oven on to 325°F | Giblets out; pat the bird dry. |
| 11:30 am | Turkey in, unstuffed | Allows the full 2 h 45 min to 3 h. |
| 2:15 pm | First temperature check | 165°F in the thickest part of the thigh and breast. |
| 2:15 pm | Potatoes on to boil | 4 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 | 3.5 cups of gravy, 12 rolls. |
| 3:00 pm | Carve and serve |
The 10 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 | 9:10 am | 9:30 am | 12:15 pm | 12:30 pm |
| 2:00 pm | 10:10 am | 10:30 am | 1:15 pm | 1:30 pm |
| 3:00 pm | 11:10 am | 11:30 am | 2:15 pm | 2:30 pm |
| 4:00 pm | 12:10 pm | 12:30 pm | 3:15 pm | 3:30 pm |
| 5:00 pm | 1:10 pm | 1:30 pm | 4:15 pm | 4:30 pm |
Eight guests and one oven: use the morning
A 10 lb bird is still quick: 2 h 45 min to 3 h at 325°F. With dinner at 3 pm the oven is free from 8:00 am until 11:10 am, about 3 h 10 min, so the 3 pies can bake on Thursday morning and the stuffing can go in while the turkey rests.
If you plan to brine or dry-brine, the bird has to be thawed a day early, so put it in the refrigerator on Saturday, November 21 instead of Sunday, November 22. Keep room on the bottom shelf for the turkey in a pan, and for the 2 cups of cranberry sauce made the day before.
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 8 people, how much food for 8 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 8 people?
Move a frozen 10 lb turkey to the refrigerator by Sunday, November 22, make the pies and cranberry sauce on Wednesday, November 25, and for a 3 pm dinner put the turkey in at 11:30 am with the oven on at 11:10 am.
Can I bake pies on Thanksgiving morning?
For 8 guests and a 3 pm dinner, yes: the 10 lb turkey does not need the oven until 11:10 am, which leaves about 3 h 10 min from 8:00 am.
How much food for 8 at Thanksgiving?
A 10 lb turkey, 4 lb of potatoes, 6 cups of stuffing, 12 rolls and 3 pies, at a standard appetite.
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.