Thanksgiving, Sunday dinners, and an outdoor barbecue are all perfect occasions to serve a juicy, flavorful turkey. Whether you are an experienced chef or this is your first time cooking a turkey, getting the right size ensures you have enough to feed everyone and plan for leftovers, too.

Use this guide to shop for that just-right turkey and cook with confidence, no matter how long that guest list is.

How Many Pounds of Turkey Do You Need per Person?

While not everyone will eat the same amount of food, using a rough estimate can help you avoid the embarrassment of running out of turkey. The following guidelines assume every diner is an adult at the initial meal (leftovers not included).

For 4 People

Your standard family of four will consume around 4 to 5 pounds of turkey. This gives them a good mix of dark and white meat. You can also use this estimation for a family of two that would like to have a second meal of leftover turkey meat.

For 6 People

Six people can fill up on 6 to 7 pounds of turkey meat. Buy more if you plan on having guests take a plate home or you want to make additional meals from the leftovers.

For 8 People

Buy an 8 to 10 pounder to feed a party of eight. You can usually find this size of bird easily in your grocer, but it’s also okay to buy two smaller birds to make up the total weight.

For 12 People

If you’re sensing a theme here, you’re right about the amount of meat per person. Generally, you’ll want at least a pound of bird per person, so feeding a dozen people requires you to purchase a 12-pound turkey. Snag a bigger bird if you think guests will eat uneven portions of the dark or white meat.

For More Than 12 People

You’ll need to buy a pound of meat (or more) per person, and once you get into feeding 16 people, you’ll be seeking out much bigger birds. Avoid selecting a turkey over 16 pounds, as these are usually toms (males) and aren’t as tender as the younger females. It’s possible to find a smaller male turkey for sale, so check the packaging to know what you’re buying.

If you run into a situation needing more than 16 pounds, buy two smaller birds or a small bird and a breast. Breast meat is especially popular when smoked or grilled, so consider it a great way to feed all your guests and have the tastiest leftovers.

How Long to Thaw Turkey

Before you can even get around to cooking the turkey, you need to fully thaw it. Thawing ensures even cooking and no icy spots that can prevent a safe internal temperature. It’s best to allow four hours per pound of turkey, and thawing should take place in the refrigerator (never on the counter.) Setting the turkey in a large roasting pan or bowl will help catch any juices and mess, which is essential to avoid cross-contamination while it thaws. You don’t want turkey juice dripping in your vegetable drawer.

This means you will have to allow up from one day for a 7-pound turkey, to almost five days for a turkey weighing over 20 pounds.

If you don’t have time for the refrigerator method, there are other ways to thaw a turkey, including in cold water or the microwave – but these methods don’t always yield the best results.

How Long to Brine Turkey

If you will be grilling the turkey on a Traeger Grill, brining is highly recommended. Not only will it kick-start the flavoring process, but it will also result in moist meat that everyone will appreciate. Use these turkey brine directions for the full process details, but never leave your turkey in the brine past 24 hours.

How Long to Cook Turkey

Knowing how many people you'll feed helps ensure everyone eats. It also gives you a rough estimate of how long the turkey will need to cook. Each pound of bird will need additional cooking time, with larger turkeys taking more time in the oven or on the grill.

We recommend 15 minutes in a 325-degree Fahrenheit grill or oven for every pound of turkey (same when using a wood pellet grill). This guide assumes the bird is fully thawed before you cook it and doesn’t have stuffing inside.

If you’re someone who appreciates an extra-crispy turkey skin, turn up the heat to 375 to 400 degrees and cover the bird with foil. Then cook until it reaches 155 degrees inside the turkey. At this point, you can remove the foil, crank up the heat to 450 degrees and let the bird cook until it reaches a 160-degree internal temperature.

After you smoke a turkey, always let the bird rest for a while before serving. It will be more tender and have improved flavor.

Turkey Internal Temperature

Many of the turkeys packaged for home cooking today have built-in plastic thermometers that pop up when the turkey has reached the right internal temperature. While these are a nice way to know that your bird is getting close to done, don’t rely on them completely. It’s possible that another part of the bird didn’t get as hot during cooking, and may not have reached the proper internal temperature of 160 degrees.

Use a meat thermometer to check various places in the turkey, especially the thick parts, the underside, and the areas under the wing. Any place that shows a pinkish tinge or has liquid running from it that isn't clear may be undercooked. The thermometer will help ensure your turkey is cooked to perfection.

If you are using a thermometer that monitors the meat temp while cooking on a Traeger, be sure to place the thermometer probe in the thickest part of the bird.

What to Do With Leftover Turkey

One reward for buying too much turkey is the delicious meat you’ll have left over. There is no shortage of tasty ways to use turkey meat, but here are some of the more popular options.

• Shredded and seasoned in tacos or tamales
• Added to a vegetable and noodle soup
• Sliced and served cold on sandwiches
• Added to a cheesy rice and broccoli casserole
• Mixed up with mayo and spices for a turkey salad on croissant

It’s not uncommon to find turkey lovers reheating the entire Thanksgiving meal for the next day or two. There’s something about perfectly-seasoned turkey meat, along with a side of mashed and gravy, that just tastes magical in the days following the original meal.

Turkey FAQ

How much turkey meat per person should I buy?

Aim for a pound of turkey per guest, plus more if you want leftovers.

How do I know if my turkey is a tom or hen?

Male turkeys are larger birds, generally more than 16 pounds. To know what you’re getting, read the label carefully before purchasing.

Turkey Recipes

Turkey makes a terrific standalone main dish that can liven up a meal with a variety of brines, rubs, and flavor injections. Our turkey flavor guide will show you the best herbs and spices for various flavor profiles.

• The Traditional Smoked Thanksgiving Turkey is a new spin on a classic dish, offering rosemary, thyme, and notes of garlic that go well with your favorite stuffing.
• Skip the dark meat and serve this moist and flavorful Roasted Herb Turkey Breast, made with a simple brown sugar brine and a touch of lemon zest.
• Don’t toss that turkey neck! It’s the magic ingredient in this Homemade Turkey Gravy full of peppery goodness.
• Bacon, mushrooms, and breadcrumbs are rolled into tender turkey breasts in this Roasted Stuffed Turkey dish that adds a touch of elegance to your next meal.
• Though it's not a turkey recipe, Cranberry Sauce is a must-have side at any Thanksgiving dinner that goes along with your other dishes beautifully.

Remember, you don’t have to wait for a special occasion to enjoy turkey. Just be sure to plan ahead so no one misses out.