Holiday Mains Buying Guide

If you’re serving a whole turkey, the general rule of thumb is about 1½ pounds of turkey per person. If you’re serving boneless turkey breast, plan for about ½ pound per person.

Here’s a handy size guide for buying a whole turkey:

- One 11- to 14-pound turkey feeds about 7 to 9 people

- One 15- to 18-pound turkey feeds about 10 to 12 people

- One 18- to 24-pound turkey feeds about 12 to 14 people

The safest way to thaw a frozen turkey is in the refrigerator. Keep the turkey in its original packaging and allow to thaw in the fridge for 24 hours for every 4 to 5 pounds of turkey. That means a 12-pound turkey will take about 3 days to thaw in the fridge, and a 20-pound turkey will take about 5 days to thaw in the fridge.

Cooking times vary depending on the temperature of your oven, the size of the turkey, and whether it is stuffed. You’ll know your turkey is fully cooked when a meat thermometer reaches 180°F in the thickest part of the thigh, 170°F in the turkey breast, and 165°F in the stuffing (if using).

Here’s a handy guide to roasting a whole, unstuffed turkey at 325°F in a regular oven:

- 7 to 10 pounds takes about 2½ to 3 hours

- 10 to 18 pounds takes about 3 to 3½ hours

- 18 to 22 pounds takes about 3½ to 4 hours

- 22 to 24 pounds takes about 4 to 4½ hours