Christmas dinner shopping list for 8
Amounts for 8 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 8 | Per person |
|---|---|---|
| Turkey (whole bird) | 5.5 kg | 675 g |
| Roast potatoes (raw) | 2 kg | 200 g |
| Parsnips | 0.75 kg | 80 g |
| Carrots | 0.75 kg | 80 g |
| Brussels sprouts | 0.75 kg | 80 g |
| Stuffing | 0.8 kg | 100 g |
| Pigs in blankets | 24 | 3 |
| Gravy | 1.2 litres | 150 ml |
| Cranberry sauce | 500 g | 60 g |
| Christmas pudding | 1,000 g | 125 g |
Eight people
Eight is the calculator's opening guest list, less the two children. The turkey is 5.5 kg, with 3 days in the fridge to thaw and 3 h 20 min in the oven.
The potatoes show how the rounding works: 8 × 200 g = 1.6 kg, rounded up to 2 kg, so you have about 400 g in hand for seconds. With two children as well the list grows to a 6.5 kg turkey and 27 pigs in blankets.
How the amounts are worked out
Each amount is the guests times the portion, rounded up. Sprouts for 8: 8 × 80 g = 640 g, rounded up to the next 250 g, so 0.75 kg. Gravy: 8 × 150 ml = 1.2 litres exactly.
Bigger appetites
| Portions | Roast potatoes | Pigs in blankets |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | 2 kg | 24 |
| Big roast potato fans (250 g) | 2 kg | 24 |
| Extra pigs in blankets (4 each) | 2 kg | 32 |
| Both | 2 kg | 32 |
If children are coming
Children count as half a portion.
| Guests | Turkey | Roast potatoes | Sprouts | Pigs in blankets | Pudding |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 adults | 5.5 kg | 2 kg | 0.75 kg | 24 | 1,000 g |
| 8 adults and 2 children | 6.5 kg | 2 kg | 0.75 kg | 27 | 1,150 g |
| 8 adults and 4 children | 7.0 kg | 2 kg | 1 kg | 30 | 1,250 g |
Christmas dinner for more or fewer people
| Guests | Turkey | Roast potatoes | Sprouts | Pigs in blankets | Gravy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 3.0 kg | 1 kg | 0.5 kg | 12 | 0.6 litres |
| 6 | 4.5 kg | 1.5 kg | 0.5 kg | 18 | 0.9 litres |
| 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 |
For the bird itself, what size turkey for 8 people has the weight by appetite, and the cooking time pages for a 5 kg turkey or a 6 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 8?
For 8 adults: a 5.5 kg turkey, 2 kg of roast potatoes, 0.75 kg each of sprouts, carrots and parsnips, 0.8 kg of stuffing, 24 pigs in blankets, 1.2 litres of gravy, 500 g of cranberry sauce and 1,000 g of Christmas pudding.
How many roast potatoes for 8 people?
2 kg of raw potatoes at 200 g a head (1.6 kg, rounded up to the next half kilo). The same 2 kg covers 250 g a head for big roast potato fans, because 8 × 250 g is 2 kg.
How many pigs in blankets for 8 people?
24 at 3 each, or 32 at 4 each to allow for some going missing before dinner.
What size turkey for Christmas dinner for 8?
A 5.5 kg turkey at 675 g a head. It roasts for 3 h 20 min at 180°C (170°C fan) and needs about 3 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.