How Much Thanksgiving Turkey Should I Buy Per Person?

On Thanksgiving, leftovers are natural and expected — even hotly anticipated. But striking that balance between extra and way too much can be difficult.

How much turkey should I buy per person?

When it comes to buying turkey, the general rule of thumb is this: You’ll want 1 pound per person. So, if there are 12 planning to eat turkey at your table, buy a 12-pound turkey. (Hosting more than 12? Kenji López-Alt suggests buying two smaller birds, as they’ll cook more evenly than a large bird.)

A pound per person may seem like a lot, but bear in mind that the turkey’s advertised weight factors in the bones and giblets. After all is said and done, you’ll end up with leftovers — but not too much. (And if you’re at a loss for what to do with what’s left after the feast, we have some ideas.)