Christmas dinner shopping list for 12
Amounts for 12 adults with standard portions, rounded up to weights you can buy. Vegetables are raw weights before peeling; gravy and stuffing are what goes on the table.
| Item | For 12 | Per person |
|---|---|---|
| Turkey (whole bird) | 8.5 kg | 675 g |
| Roast potatoes (raw) | 2.5 kg | 200 g |
| Parsnips | 1 kg | 80 g |
| Carrots | 1 kg | 80 g |
| Brussels sprouts | 1 kg | 80 g |
| Stuffing | 1.2 kg | 100 g |
| Pigs in blankets | 36 | 3 |
| Gravy | 1.8 litres | 150 ml |
| Cranberry sauce | 750 g | 60 g |
| Christmas pudding | 1,500 g | 125 g |
Twelve people
Twelve take an 8.5 kg turkey, which roasts for 4 h 20 min. Measure the oven and the roasting tin before you order: a bird this size can fill a domestic oven, leaving little room for the potatoes until it comes out to rest.
The rest of the list is 2.5 kg of potatoes, 36 pigs in blankets, 1.8 litres of gravy and 1,500 g of Christmas pudding. Cooking the pigs in blankets and stuffing while the turkey rests keeps the oven free for them.
How the amounts are worked out
Each amount is the guests times the portion, rounded up. Sprouts for 12: 12 × 80 g = 960 g, rounded up to the next 250 g, so 1 kg. Gravy: 12 × 150 ml = 1.8 litres exactly.
Bigger appetites
| Portions | Roast potatoes | Pigs in blankets |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | 2.5 kg | 36 |
| Big roast potato fans (250 g) | 3 kg | 36 |
| Extra pigs in blankets (4 each) | 2.5 kg | 48 |
| Both | 3 kg | 48 |
If children are coming
Children count as half a portion.
| Guests | Turkey | Roast potatoes | Sprouts | Pigs in blankets | Pudding |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12 adults | 8.5 kg | 2.5 kg | 1 kg | 36 | 1,500 g |
| 12 adults and 2 children | 9.0 kg | 3 kg | 1.25 kg | 39 | 1,650 g |
| 12 adults and 4 children | 9.5 kg | 3 kg | 1.25 kg | 42 | 1,750 g |
Christmas dinner for more or fewer people
| Guests | Turkey | Roast potatoes | Sprouts | Pigs in blankets | Gravy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 | 5.5 kg | 2 kg | 0.75 kg | 24 | 1.2 litres |
| 10 | 7.0 kg | 2 kg | 1 kg | 30 | 1.5 litres |
| 12 | 8.5 kg | 2.5 kg | 1 kg | 36 | 1.8 litres |
| 14 | 9.5 kg | 3 kg | 1.25 kg | 42 | 2.1 litres |
| 16 | 11.0 kg | 3.5 kg | 1.5 kg | 48 | 2.4 litres |
For the bird itself, what size turkey for 12 people has the weight by appetite, and the cooking time pages for a 8 kg turkey or a 9 kg turkey give the thawing days and what time to put it in.
Use the Christmas dinner calculator for your own guest list, and the Christmas dinner timings for when everything goes in the oven.
Want to change anything else? The calculator above is the full Christmas Dinner Calculator (UK): How Much Food Per Person: edit any number and the results update instantly.
Tools & materials for this project
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Frequently asked questions
How much food do I need for Christmas dinner for 12?
For 12 adults: an 8.5 kg turkey, 2.5 kg of roast potatoes, 1 kg each of sprouts, carrots and parsnips, 1.2 kg of stuffing, 36 pigs in blankets, 1.8 litres of gravy, 750 g of cranberry sauce and 1,500 g of Christmas pudding.
How many roast potatoes for 12 people?
2.5 kg of raw potatoes at 200 g a head, or 3 kg at 250 g for big roast potato fans.
How many pigs in blankets for 12 people?
36 at 3 each, or 48 at 4 each to allow for some going missing before dinner.
What size turkey for Christmas dinner for 12?
An 8.5 kg turkey at 675 g a head. It roasts for 4 h 20 min at 180°C (170°C fan) and needs about 5 days to thaw in the fridge.
Related sizes and 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 the Building Regulations and your supplier's guidance before ordering.