IE 11 is not supported. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser.

How much food should you cook for Thanksgiving? A cheat sheet

New York Times food reporter Melissa Clark shares a cheat sheet for knowing how much food to prep per person.
/ Source: TODAY
How much food should you cook for Thanksgiving?
Shutterstock

New York Times food reporter and cookbook author Melissa Clark shares her Thanksgiving dinner cheat sheet.

If you're hosting Thanksgiving this year, you're probably making your grocery list and checking it twice. The last thing you want is to run out of food, but having way too many leftovers with nowhere to store them can also be problematic. Fear not, we've done the equations for you!

With this guide, all amounts will feed everyone at the table and provide some leftovers. Because leftovers are the best part.

Turkey: 1 1/2 pounds per person

Gravy: 1/2 cup per person

Cranberry sauce: 1/2 cup per person

Stuffing: 1 cup per person

Potatoes or sweet potatoes: 5 to 6 ounces per person, which equals about 1 large Yukon Gold or white potato, or half of a large sweet potato.

Pie: 1 pie will feed 8 people if you've got other desserts as well. If there are no other desserts, it will feed 6 people per pie. If you want to count on pie for breakfast, make that 4 people per pie.