A Guide To Thanksgiving Dinner: How Much To Serve Per Person - So Happy You Liked It (2024)

FAQs

How much Thanksgiving dinner per person? ›

During Thanksgiving Day meals, the typical American consumes about 3,000 calories and 150 grams of fat. The calorie count can go even higher with larger portions, second helpings and high-calorie drinks.

Plan to serve about 3/4 cup of stuffing per guest. That amounts to roughly 4 cups of prepared stuffing for 5 guests and 7-1/2 cups for 10 guests. However, if you have grand plans for using leftovers in Stuffin' Muffins or turkey potpie with a stuffing crust, feel free to make a little bit more.

Gravy. “In terms of gravy, I am a firm believer in there is no such thing as too much gravy,” writes Virginia Willis. However, experts say that ⅓ to ½ cup of gravy per guest is a good place to start. Our favorite Make-Ahead Gravy makes one quart of gravy, which would serve eight to twelve guests.

At Thanksgiving dinner, turkey is served with a variety of side dishes which can vary from traditional, such as mashed potatoes, stuffing, and cranberry sauce, to ones that reflect regional or cultural heritage.

Plan on 1/3 to 1/2 pound potatoes per person for your feast.

The 2023 survey findings show that the average cost of a holiday feast for 10 people is $61.17, which ends up being less than $6.20 per person. While this figure is 4.5% less than the average holiday dinner cost in 2022, it's up 25% compared to the average cost in 2019.

How Much Turkey Per Person. The general rule is to plan for 1 1/2 pounds of turkey per guest. If you're buying boneless meat, assume about 8 ounces per guest. To buy the right size turkey for your party, simply tally up the turkey-eating guests.

In order to fill the cavity of the bird you are stuffing, you should make 3/4 cup of stuffing per person. You may not be able to fit all the stuffing into your turkey. If this is the case, then you can even make a casserole to fill up your guests!

How many sides should you serve for Thanksgiving? ›

How many dishes should I serve with the turkey? For 4 people, choose 1-2 appetizers and 3 sides. For 8 people, choose 1-3 appetizers and 3 sides. For 16 people, choose 2-3 appetizers and 3 or more sides.

How much stuffing per person? A 14-ounce bag of stuffing makes about 11 servings; a 6-ounce box of stuffing mix makes 6 servings.

The American Farm Bureau Federation's 38th annual survey provides a snapshot of the average cost of this year's classic holiday feast for 10, which is $61.17 or less than $6.20 per person.

If you're serving ham alongside your turkey, consider if your ham is boneless or bone-in to follow the proper guidelines. You'll need a total of about 1 pound per person of all bone-in meats or 1/2 pound per person for boneless meats.

1.5 rolls per person is the perfect amount. Like a few other Thanksgiving recipes, rolls are one that some people take, and others opt out. They make wonderful sandwiches for that leftover turkey! While 1 slice should be plenty per person: know your crowd.

Especially if guests are arriving hours before dinner will be serve! I recommend 4 appetizers or bites per person. Most resources out there will recommend between 1 and 2 pounds of turkey per person. I think it's safe to plan for 1 1/2 pounds per person.

Overall costs for a typical Thanksgiving meal, including the usual fixings, are also modestly lower compared with 2022, when prices hit a record high. Dinner for 10 will cost an average of $61.17, the farm bureau said. That's down from $64.05 last year but an increase from $53.31 in 2021.