How Big a Turkey Per Person? Smoked Turkey Size Calculator
Prices checked Oct 2026, average US grocery prices. Portions follow common catering rules of thumb; safe temperatures follow USDA. How we calculate
How big a turkey to buy, how many birds, when to start thawing and how long it takes in the smoker or oven.
Turkey Size by Number of Guests
At 1.25 lbs per person, split into birds of 14 lbs or less for smoking. Thaw time is per bird in the fridge; birds thaw side by side.
| Guests | Turkey needed | With plenty of leftovers | Birds to buy | Fridge thaw | Smoke time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | 7.5 lbs (3.4 kg) | 10.5 lbs | 1 × ~8 lbs | 2 days | 4.4 h at 250°F |
| 8 | 10 lbs (4.5 kg) | 14 lbs | 1 × ~10 lbs | 3 days | 5.8 h at 250°F |
| 10 | 12.5 lbs (5.7 kg) | 17.5 lbs | 1 × ~12 lbs | 3 days | 7.3 h at 250°F |
| 12 | 15 lbs (6.8 kg) | 21 lbs | 2 × ~8 lbs | 2 days | 4.4 h at 250°F |
| 15 | 18.8 lbs (8.5 kg) | 26.5 lbs | 2 × ~9 lbs | 3 days | 5.5 h at 250°F |
| 20 | 25 lbs (11 kg) | 35 lbs | 2 × ~12 lbs | 3 days | 7.3 h at 250°F |
| 25 | 31.5 lbs (14 kg) | 44 lbs | 3 × ~10 lbs | 3 days | 6.1 h at 250°F |
| 30 | 37.5 lbs (17 kg) | 52.5 lbs | 3 × ~12 lbs | 3 days | 7.3 h at 250°F |
| 40 | 50 lbs (23 kg) | 70 lbs | 4 × ~12 lbs | 3 days | 7.3 h at 250°F |
| 50 | 62.5 lbs (28 kg) | 87.5 lbs | 5 × ~12 lbs | 3 days | 7.3 h at 250°F |
Why Smaller Birds for the Smoker
Smokers run at 225–275°F, much cooler than an oven, so a big bird spends longer in the 40–140°F danger zone. Two 12 lb turkeys cook faster and more safely than one 24 lb bird, fit standard smokers and give you twice the drumsticks. A 22-inch kettle fits about a 12–14 lb bird; most pellet grills take larger birds, but the time rule still applies.
Oven Roasting Times
| Turkey size (unstuffed) | Roast at 325°F |
|---|---|
| up to 12 lbs | 2¾–3 hours |
| up to 14 lbs | 3–3¾ hours |
| up to 18 lbs | 3¾–4¼ hours |
| up to 20 lbs | 4¼–4½ hours |
| up to 24 lbs | 4½–5 hours |
USDA times for an unstuffed whole turkey at 325°F. Start checking the temperature 30 minutes early.
Smoked Ham Per Person
Serving ham as well, or instead? Plan about 0.5–0.75 lb of bone-in ham (including spiral-cut) or 0.33–0.5 lb of boneless ham per person. Most store hams are fully cooked: reheat to 140°F. Fresh, uncooked ham needs 145°F and a 3-minute rest.
Gear
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FAQ
How big a turkey per person?
Buy about 1.25 lbs of whole turkey per person for dinner with a little left over, or 1.5–2 lbs per person if you want plenty of leftovers. For a boneless turkey breast, 0.6 lb per person is enough.
How big a turkey for 20 people?
About 25 lbs of whole turkey for 20 people. For smoking, buy two birds of about 12–13 lbs rather than one 25 lb bird: smaller birds get through the 40–140°F range faster and fit standard smokers.
How long to smoke a turkey?
About 30–40 minutes per pound at 225–250°F, or 15–20 minutes per pound at 275°F, until the thickest part of the breast, thigh and wing reach 165°F. A 12 lb bird takes roughly 6–8 hours at 250°F; rest it 30–45 minutes before carving.
How long to thaw a turkey?
In the fridge, allow about 24 hours for every 4–5 lbs (USDA). A 14 lb turkey needs 3–4 days, so start on the weekend before Thanksgiving.