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Amounts per adult
Typical amounts for one adult with a normal appetite. Count each child as half.
| Food | Per adult |
|---|---|
| Potatoes | 250 g |
| Parsnips | 80 g |
| Carrots | 80 g |
| Brussels sprouts | 80 g |
| Red cabbage | 80 g |
| Cauliflower (for cauliflower cheese) | 100 g |
| Stuffing | 100 g |
| Pigs in blankets | 4 |
| Gravy | 150 ml |
| Cranberry sauce | 30 g |
| Bread sauce | 60 g |
| Soup (as a starter) | 250 ml |
| Cooked prawns (for prawn cocktail) | 60 g |
| Christmas pudding | 125 g |
| Custard or cream | 100 ml |
Mince pies: allow one each, plus a couple spare.
How much turkey per person
Buy turkey by the whole bird rather than per person. The NFU's guide: a 5 kg turkey feeds 6 to 8 people, 6 kg feeds 8 to 10, 7 kg feeds 10 to 12, 8 kg feeds 14 to 16, and 9 kg feeds 18 to 22. See our turkey size guide for every size.
Totals for 4, 8 and 12 people
For adults with normal appetites, having potatoes, parsnips, carrots, sprouts, stuffing, pigs in blankets, gravy, pudding and mince pies.
| Food | 4 people | 8 people | 12 people |
|---|---|---|---|
| Whole turkey | 3 kg | 5.5 kg | 7 kg |
| Potatoes | 1 kg | 2 kg | 3 kg |
| Parsnips | 320 g | 640 g | 960 g |
| Carrots | 320 g | 640 g | 960 g |
| Brussels sprouts | 320 g | 640 g | 960 g |
| Stuffing | 400 g | 800 g | 1.2 kg |
| Pigs in blankets | 16 | 32 | 48 |
| Gravy | 600 ml | 1.2 litres | 1.8 litres |
| Christmas pudding | 500 g | 1 kg | 1.5 kg |
| Mince pies | 6 | 10 | 14 |
Adjusting for your guests
- Children: count each child as half a portion.
- Light eaters: buy about 15% less. Hearty eaters: about 20% more.
- Vegetarians: about 150 g of nut roast and 150 ml of vegetarian gravy each. They don't need turkey or pigs in blankets. See our vegetarian Christmas dinner guide.
- Leftovers on purpose? Go up a turkey size rather than adding more of everything.
Portions are typical amounts; appetites vary. Turkey sizes follow the NFU's guide to choosing the right bird. More guides: how long to cook a turkey · Christmas dinner timings