Planning
When Should I Start My Thanksgiving Dinner?
Build a Thanksgiving dinner plan around guest count and serving time, including turkey and side quantities.
16 lb turkey
Plan for about 12.4 adult portions and allow roughly 233 minutes at 325°F plus a 45-minute rest and carving window.
- •7 lb potatoes · 4 lb stuffing · 4 lb vegetables.
- •7 cups gravy · 2 pies · 19 dinner rolls.
- •Add a serving time to generate oven and setup timestamps.
Methodology
How we calculate this
Guests become adult-equivalent portions, which determine turkey and side quantities. Turkey time and resting are counted backward from dinner.
The math
- Adult equivalents = adults + children × 0.6
- Turkey weight = portions × 1.25 lb
- Oven start = dinner − 15 min/lb − 45 min rest/carving
Worked example
Ten adults and four children equal 12.4 portions, suggesting about a 16 lb turkey.
Frequently asked questions
Helpful answers
How large a turkey do I need per person?
Plan about 1 to 1¼ pounds of whole turkey per adult-sized portion, or more if you want substantial leftovers.
When should I put my turkey in the oven?
Work backward from serving time using the bird's estimated cooking time, then add at least 30 to 45 minutes for resting and carving.
How much pie should I make for Thanksgiving?
One standard 9-inch pie commonly serves six to eight people. Offer more total slices when serving several flavors.
A practical starting point
Use the result as a planning estimate, then trust the ingredients, your thermometer, and the food in front of you. This tool is designed to make the first calculation easier—not to replace good kitchen judgment.
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