From appetizers to desserts, these simple tips will help take the guesswork out of how to make your Thanksgiving table plentiful and your guests happy. Thanksgiving is just two weeks away! If you haven’t already started planning, shopping and possibly prepping, it’s time to start!
Appetizers
The amount of appetizers you serve depends on what you’re serving and what other foods you are offering. Remember, the purpose of appetizers is to make you guests feel welcome and keep them satisfied until the main event. Plan to make three or four bites of food per person.
Simple Tip:
4 guests: 12 small bites
8 guests: 24 small bites
12 guests: 36 small bites
16 guests: 48 small bites
Soup
If you plan to serve soup before or during the meal, there is no need to plan for a large bowl, about 1 cup of soup per person should do.
Simple Tip:
4 guests: 4 cups;
8 guests: 8 cups
12 guests: 12 cups
16 guests: 1 gallon
Turkey
The main event is the turkey! When buying your turkey, plan for 1 ½ pounds per person. This will ensure there is plenty of meat to serve each guest…and promise for plenty of leftovers too!
Simple Tip:
4 guests: 6 pounds
8 guests: 12 pounds
12 guests: 18 pounds
16 guests: 24 pounds
Gravy
You should plan for at least 1/3 cup gravy per person; though you’ll want to plan for an additional cup for every six people. Remember, it’s always good to have more gravy than to run out!
Simple Tip:
4 guests: 2 cups
8 guests: 4 cups
12 guests: 6 cups
16 guests: 7 1/2 cups
Cranberry Sauce
Cranberry sauce is a condiment that can also serve as a side dish all on its own. Plan to have 1/3 to ½ cups per person.
Simple Tip:
4 guests: 2 cups
8 guests: 4 cups
12 guests: 6 cups
16 guests: 8 cups
Stuffing
Stuffing is THE big crowd-pleasing side dish that rivals mashed potatoes. You DON’T want to run out! So, plan for 1 cup per person.
Simple Tip:
4 guests: 4 cups
8 guests: 8 cups
12 guests: 12 cups
16 guests: 16 cups
Mashed Potatoes
You should plan to make about ¾ cup of mashed potatoes. This means when your shopping for potatoes plan for 1 large potato per person; this should make pretty close to what you will need. If you’re worried about running out, add a few extra. It never hurts to have leftovers.
Simple Tip:
4 guests: 3 cups
8 guests: 6 cups
12 guests: 9 cups
16 guests: 12 cups
Rolls
Plan to serve rolls as a side dish; remember you don’t want people to fill up on bread before digging in to dinner. In order to keep your guests from filling up on bread before dinner even begins. Plan to serve 2 rolls per person.
Simple Tip:
4 guests: 4 rolls
8 guests: 16 rolls
12 guests: 24 rolls
16 guests: 32 rolls
Vegetable Sides and Salad
With so much going on at the table, plan for only about 4 oz. of vegetables and only 1 oz. of salad.
Simple Tip:
4 guests: 1 pound veg; 4oz. salad
8 guests: 2 pounds veg; 8 oz. salad
12 guests: 3 pound; 12 oz. salad
16 guests: 4 pounds; 16 oz. salad
Pie
The perfect end to any Thanksgiving meal is pie. One 9-inch pie usually feeds 6 to 8 people. However, if you have a few people you know are saving up to satisfy their sweet tooth, it can never hurt to make an extra!
Simple Tip:
4 guests: 1 pie
8 guests: 1 to 2 pies
12 guests: 2 to 3 pies
16 guests: 3 to 4 pies
Coffee and Tea
Coffee and or tea can be the perfect end to any feast. Plan to prepare 1 cup, of either, per guest to be safe. Though some people may not have saved room for it, it doesn’t hurt to offer coffee and tea to keep everyone happy!
Happy Thanksgiving! Please leave your comments below, I would love to hear from you. Until next time, cheers!