What Size Turkey Do I Need For 12 People?

For 12 people, you need a turkey weighing between 6kg and 7.5kg. The standard guide is 500g of whole bird per person, which gives you enough meat for the table plus a little left over. If your guests are big eaters or you want generous leftovers, go closer to 7.5kg.

Key takeaways

• Plan on 500g of turkey per person — for 12 guests, that means a bird in the 6kg–7.5kg range.
• A 6kg turkey feeds 12 modest portions; a 7.5kg bird gives you second helpings and leftovers for the next day.
• Account for bone weight — roughly 30–40% of a whole turkey's weight is bone and carcass, not edible meat.
• Free-range, slow-grown birds tend to have better muscle development, which means the meat goes further than a standard commercial bird of the same weight.
• Order early — at Copas Farm Shop, turkeys in the most popular sizes (6kg–8kg) sell out most years, often weeks before December.

What size turkey do you actually need for 12 people?

The 500g-per-person rule is the most reliable starting point. For 12 guests, that puts you in the 6kg–7.5kg range. Use the lower end if your table includes children or lighter eaters, and go higher if you're serving a crowd who will want second helpings or if leftovers matter to you — and they should, because cold turkey the next day is one of the better arguments for Christmas. 

If you're planning a large spread with many side dishes — roast potatoes, stuffing, pigs in blankets, vegetables, guests naturally eat less of the bird itself. A 6kg turkey will stretch comfortably. For a simpler meal where the turkey is the undisputed centrepiece, lean towards 7kg or above.

Does the type of turkey affect how far it goes?

It does, meaningfully. A free-range turkey that has been slow-grown on open pasture develops denser, more structured muscle than a fast-grown bird. That means more usable meat relative to fat and water, and it slices better with less shrinkage during cooking.

Dry-aged birds also lose moisture before they reach you, so the weight you're buying is closer to the weight of meat you'll actually eat. Copas Farm Shop's experience raising slow-grown birds consistently shows that a 6.5kg dry-aged, free-range bird will yield more at the table than a 6.5kg bird raised under intensive conditions.

How does a whole turkey compare to a turkey crown for 12?

How do you know which size to order?

Follow these steps to land on the right weight:

1. Count your guests and note any children — under-12s eat roughly half a portion.
2. Decide on leftovers — if next-day sandwiches and Boxing Day turkey are part of the plan, add 500g–1kg to your base calculation.
3. Consider your other dishes — a rich spread of sides means you can stay at the lower end of the range.
4. Check your oven dimensions — a bird above 7kg needs a generous roasting tin and a standard domestic oven with at least 4cm clearance on all sides.
5. Order sooner than you think — the most sought-after sizes go first.

What are the risks of getting the size wrong?

Too small and you're carving anxiously at the table, hoping nobody wants more. Too large and you're wrestling a bird that barely fits the oven, adding an hour to your cooking time and potentially overcooking the breast before the legs are done. Staying within the 6kg–7.5kg range for 12 people eliminates both problems.

The other risk is leaving it too late. At Copas Farm Shop, the 6kg–8kg turkeys — the sizes that suit most family gatherings — are consistently the first to sell out. Ordering in October or November gives you the pick of the weights.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a 5kg turkey enough for 12 people? At 500g per person, a 5kg bird is sized for 10 guests. For 12, it will stretch if portions are modest and the table has many side dishes, but you risk running short on meat — particularly dark meat from the legs. A 6kg bird gives you the buffer you need.

How long does a 7kg turkey take to cook? As a general guide, allow approximately 40 minutes per kg at 180°C (fan), plus an additional 20 minutes resting time uncovered. A 7kg turkey will therefore need roughly 4 hours 40 minutes in the oven before resting. Always use a meat thermometer — the thickest part of the thigh should reach 75°C.

Should I order a fresh or frozen turkey for Christmas? Fresh turkeys need to be collected or delivered close to the cooking date, but they require no defrosting and are ready to prepare immediately. Frozen birds offer more flexibility with delivery timing but need at least 48 hours to defrost safely in the fridge — longer for birds above 6kg. At Copas, birds are delivered fresh and oven-ready.

Can I cook two smaller turkeys instead of one large one? Yes — two 3.5kg birds can be a practical alternative to one 7kg turkey, particularly if oven space is limited. Two smaller birds also cook faster and more evenly, and you can season each differently. The main drawback is that two birds produce separate carcasses rather than one generous frame for stock.

What weight of turkey do I need if I'm also serving ham? If a glazed ham or another large joint is on the table alongside the turkey, you can reduce the turkey's per-person allowance to around 350g. For 12 guests, that puts you at roughly 4kg–4.5kg — a crown or a smaller whole bird would work well in that context.