Thanksgiving Turkey Planner
Turkey size, thaw date & dinner budget
Turkey timeline
- By Sat, Nov 21Buy a frozen turkey, 12–14 lb
- Sun, Nov 22Move to the fridge to thaw (4 days)
- Thu, Nov 26 · 11:45 AMInto a 325°F oven (about 3 h 45 min)
- 3:30 PMCheck 165°F, rest 30 min, then carve
- 4:00 PMDinner for 8
Dinner budget
Enter your guest count and dinner time to get the turkey size, the day to move it to the fridge, when it goes in the oven, and a full dinner budget for Thanksgiving, Nov 26.
계산 예시
Guests (incl. you) 8 · Dinner on Thursday 4:00 PM · Leftovers Want leftovers · Turkey price $1.34/lb · Sides per guest $3.37
→ You need 12–14 lb · Turkey $17.42 · Stuffing, sides, pie & rolls $26.96 · Total $44.38 · Per guest $5.55
자주 묻는 질문
How much turkey per person?
USDA suggests 1 lb per person for a whole fresh or frozen turkey. Choose 'Want leftovers' for 1.5 lb per guest.
How long does a turkey take to thaw?
In the fridge, about 24 hours for every 4–5 lb. This planner uses 4 lb per day so the bird is fully thawed by Thursday morning.
Is it too late to thaw in the fridge?
If the start date has passed, thaw in cold water — submerge the wrapped turkey and change the water every 30 minutes, about 30 minutes per lb — and cook it right away.