Quick Answer
A 15 lb turkey should be enough to feed about 10 people. The general rule of thumb is to plan for 1 pound of uncooked turkey per person. So a 15 lb turkey would feed around 15 people. However, if you account for bones, fat, and leftovers, a 15 lb turkey will realistically feed 10-12 people.
How Much Turkey Per Person?
When estimating how much turkey you need to buy for Thanksgiving or any holiday meal, the most common guideline is to plan for 1 pound of uncooked turkey per person. This is just a general rule though – the actual amount needed can vary based on several factors:
Leftovers
One consideration is whether you want leftovers. If you do not want any leftovers, you may need slightly more than 1 pound per person. If you do want leftovers, you can get away with slightly less.
Appetites
Appetites of your guests is another factor. If you are feeding a lot of men with big appetites, you may want to go with 1.25-1.5 pounds per person. For lighter eaters like children and the elderly, you could possibly get by with 3/4 pound each.
Other Foods
You’ll need less turkey per person if you are also serving a glazed ham or other meats and hearty side dishes. But if turkey is the main attraction, stick closer to the 1 pound per person recommendation.
Turkey Variety
The type of turkey you buy will also determine how much you need. Smaller turkeys like cornish hens may only feed 1-2 people each. Larger varieties like broad-breasted turkeys will go farther per pound.
Serving Size
Finally, the serving size will impact how far your turkey goes. If you are slicing thin deli-style slices, you’ll get more servings than if you serve thick 1/2 pound slices per person.
So while 1 pound per person is a straightforward rule of thumb, all of these factors mean you may need slightly more or less for your specific Thanksgiving meal.
How Much Meat Do You Get from a Turkey?
Going from the total weight of a raw turkey to how much cooked meat you’ll end up with takes a little math.
Here are some averages to help estimate your yield from a whole turkey:
| Turkey Weight | Boneless Cooked Meat |
| 10 lb turkey | 5-7 lb meat |
| 15 lb turkey | 7-10 lb meat |
| 20 lb turkey | 10-13 lb meat |
As a general guideline, plan for about 70% of the original weight to be usable cooked meat.
So for a 15 lb raw turkey, you can expect around 10-11 lb of cooked meat after accounting for bones, fat, and any meat that dries out.
This usable meat amount comes from:
- Breast meat (30% of weight)
- Leg and thigh meat (30% of weight)
- Wings (10% of weight)
The remaining 30% is mostly bones, fat, and skin that gets discarded. Plus, some meat will dry out or not get eaten.
How to Calculate Portions
Based on the numbers above, we can calculate how many portions you can get from a 15 lb turkey:
- Let’s assume you will get 10 lb of edible cooked meat from a 15 lb raw turkey
- If you portion this into 6 oz servings, that’s around 16 servings (10 lb * 16 oz/lb = 160 oz total ÷ 6 oz per serving = ~16 servings)
- For 8 oz portions, you’ll get approximately 12 servings
- With 10 oz portions, you’ll get 10 servings
The serving size you choose will depend on your menu and the appetites of your guests.
A 6 oz portion of just turkey is on the smaller side for most adults. 8-10 oz portions are more typical for a holiday meal.
So for a 15 lb turkey feeding 10 people, plan on around 8-10 oz portions per person.
Buying the Right Turkey Size
Based on the portion estimates above, a 15 lb turkey should provide enough meat for around 10 people as long as your guests have reasonable appetites.
Here are some tips for buying the right turkey size for your gathering:
For 10 People
A 15 lb turkey is a good minimum size. This will give you around 10-12 servings of 8-10 oz each. Buy slightly larger if you want ample leftovers.
For 12-15 People
Go with an 18-20 lb turkey. This will give you 14-20 portions of 8-10 oz each with some leftovers.
For 15-20 People
Get a 20-22 lb turkey. Going too big starts to affect taste and texture, so multiple smaller turkeys may be better for large crowds.
For Small Groups
For 6-8 people, an 11-13 lb turkey is plenty. For very small groups of 2-4 people, a boneless turkey breast of 4-8 lbs is ideal.
Thawing Time
Be sure to account for thawing time as well when planning your Thanksgiving turkey purchase. Here are thawing timelines based on turkey size:
| Turkey Weight | Days to Thaw in Fridge |
| 8-12 pounds | 1-2 days |
| 12-16 pounds | 2-3 days |
| 16-20 pounds | 3-4 days |
| 20-24 pounds | 4-5 days |
A 15 lb turkey will need around 3 full days in the fridge to thaw. Plan ahead so it’s fully thawed in time for cooking on Thanksgiving.
You can also thaw in cold water in 30 minutes per pound, changing the water every 30 minutes. So a 15 lb turkey would take around 8 hours to thaw in water.
Cooking Time
A thaw turkey will need quite a bit of oven time as well. Here are estimated cooking times:
| Turkey Weight | Unstuffed | Stuffed |
| 8-12 pounds | 2.75-3 hrs | 3-3.5 hrs |
| 12-14 pounds | 3-3.75 hrs | 3.5-4 hrs |
| 14-18 pounds | 3.75-4.25 hrs | 4-4.5 hrs |
| 18-20 pounds | 4.25-4.5 hrs | 4.5-5 hrs |
| 20-24 pounds | 4.5-5 hrs | 5-5.5 hrs |
For a 15 lb turkey, plan on roasting for about 4 hours for an unstuffed turkey or up to 4.5 hours if stuffed. Remember to account for the weight of the stuffing if your turkey is stuffed.
Always use a meat thermometer and cook until the thigh reaches 165°F for food safety. Let rest for 30 minutes before carving.
Turkey Cooking Methods
Besides roasting in the oven, you can also prepare your turkey using these alternate cooking methods:
Grilling
Cut your turkey into parts and grill over indirect heat for 2-3 hours until fully cooked. Use a thermometer to check doneness.
Frying
Deep frying produces a tasty, moist turkey quickly. Use peanut oil and allow 15 minutes per pound at 350°F.
Smoking
For a smoky flavor, smoke your seasoned turkey at 225-250°F for about 5 hours.
Sous Vide
For the juiciest meat, cook 1-2 hours via sous vide then finish by searing. Great for just breast or other parts.
Air Fryer
Use an air fryer to cook a turkey breast or smaller portions. Adjust time and temperature as needed.
Turkey Carving Tips
Carving the turkey neatly and evenly will give you beautiful slices to serve your guests. Follow these tips:
- Let turkey rest 30 minutes before carving so juices distribute.
- Slice breast meat first when turkey is more stable.
- Remove leg quarters, then slice each between thigh and drumstick.
- Make even, thin slices against the grain of the meat.
- Arrange slices on a platter and pour over pan juices if desired.
A sharp carving knife or electric knife makes the job easier. Have a large cutting board available.
Leftover Turkey Storage
Turkeys yield ample leftovers, which calls for proper storage. Here are food safety guidelines:
- Allow turkey to cool completely, then refrigerate within 2 hours.
- Store turkey tightly wrapped up to 4 days in the fridge.
- Freeze leftovers in air-tight packaging for 2-6 months.
- Reheat thawed turkey to 165°F until hot and steaming.
- Bring soups and gravies with turkey to a full rolling boil before serving.
- Discard any turkey that smells or looks questionable.
With proper refrigeration and reheating, you can safely enjoy delicious turkey leftovers for days after your holiday meal. Just make sure to consume within 3-4 days.
Creative Ways to Use Leftover Turkey
Don’t settle for boring old turkey sandwiches with your leftovers. Try these creative recipes:
Turkey Casserole
Combine turkey, veggies, rice or pasta, and cheese sauce for an easy casserole.
Turkey Enchiladas
Fill tortillas with shredded turkey, sauce, beans, and cheese.
Turkey Fried Rice
Stir diced turkey into fried rice with veggies and soy sauce.
Turkey Tetrazzini
Mix spaghetti, turkey, mushrooms, and parmesan cheese for a bake.
Turkey Soup
Simmer turkey in chicken broth with veggies, rice or noodles, and seasonings.
Turkey Tacos
Chop turkey and heat in spices and salsa for tasty Mexican-style tacos.
Turkey Pot Pie
Make a comforting pot pie by topping leftover turkey and veggies with biscuits.
Turkey Salad
Combine diced turkey, mayo or Greek yogurt, celery, and cran-raisins for a tasty lunch salad.
Turkey Sliders
Pile sliced turkey with cheese, lettuce, and tomato on mini buns for hand-held sandwiches.
Be creative and turkey leftovers will never go to waste!
Conclusion
In summary, a 15 lb fresh turkey should provide enough meat to feed about 10 people ample 8-10 oz portions with a little leftover. Make sure to factor in thawing and cooking times for your Thanksgiving planning. And use proper food safety practices when storing and reheating any leftovers to enjoy after your holiday feast. With smart preparation and storage, your 15 lb turkey can become the centerpiece of multiple meals for a small gathering.
