Whether you’re hosting an intimate dinner for 2, a family of 6, or an extended gathering of 12 (or more), you might be wondering how much food to make for Thanksgiving. You want to be sure there is plenty for everyone to eat, along with just the right amount of leftovers.
No matter the size of your Thanksgiving table this year, use our pro tips below to figure out how much to serve as well as help with sizing and scaling recipes. We’re also sharing our favorite flexible recipes to help you create the ideal feast – it’s the solution to a stress-free meal plan to fit every guest list.
Nibbles, Starters and Appetizers
Starting off the meal with a few different nibbles, starters and/or appetizers for your guests will keep everyone from getting too hungry while you put the finishing touches on the meal. These bites should be easy to make, as well as light enough to not spoil the rest of the meal. Dips and spreads are ideal because they can be made ahead of time and are easily halved or doubled. For a crowd, keep it simple and make multiple batches of the same recipe. Set them out in colorful Tapas Dishes or Pumpkin Mini Cocottes to do double duty as festive décor. Round out the offerings with Pinch Bowls filled with nuts, snack mixes, crackers and other No-Recipe Tapas Recipes.
Shop: Thanksgiving Tabletop Get the Recipe: Gruyere, Mushroom and Leeks en Croute
The Main Dish
While turkey is the usual star center piece of the Thanksgiving table, other types of poultry are often times easier for serving a small group. Cornish hens, duck and goose are all ideal options for petite gatherings, yet still feel fancy enough for a special occasion. Even better that they can be roasted to perfection in multiple sizes of a Round Dutch Oven or Oval Dutch Oven, be sure to check out our sizing guide below. On the other end of the spectrum, large roasts like ham, prime rib and beef tenderloin are better at feeding a crowd. Simply set the roasting pan out on a buffet and allow guests to serve themselves.
Shop: Thanksgiving Cookware Get the Recipe: Maple Citrus Glazed Ham with Rosemary Buttermilk Biscuits and Mustard Aioli
Side Dishes
Having a variety of casserole and baking dishes on hand allows for easy sizing of side dishes, vegetables and casseroles for Thanksgiving, and ensures you have a delicious variety on the table. But given the flexible nature of these kinds of recipes, it is easy to scale them up or down depending on the number of servings. For an example of how to do this, try our Curried Cauliflower and Leek Gratin – we’ve already done the recipe math and sized it perfectly to fit in all three sizes of the Heritage 3-Piece Rectangular Baking Dish Set for 2, 6 or 12 servings.
Shop: Thanksgiving Bakeware Get the Recipe: Curried Cauliflower and Leek Gratin
Desserts
Making individual desserts is an easy way to accommodate any number at the table. While you might think making many small desserts will take more time, it is really a time saver because smaller portions will bake and cool faster. Also, when the desserts are made in our elegant and colorful stoneware, you have a built-in serving dish which means no additional dessert plate and they’re dishwasher-safe for easy cleanup. And since they don’t take up a lot of room, you can store a few extra in the fridge for a next day treat.
Shop: Thanksgiving Cook's Tools Get the Recipe: Chocolate Hazelnut Mousse with Dark Chocolate Glaze and Vanilla Bean Whipped CreamTips for Sizing and Scaling Thanksgiving Recipes
- For a guide of how much food to make for Thanksgiving, check out these handy charts from allrecipes.com.
- Most baking recipes can easily be quartered, halved or doubled. But beyond that, if you need to make more it’s best to make two (or more) separate batches of the same recipe to ensure the ratio of ingredients stays consistent.
- Dutch Ovens are great for roasting the Thanksgiving main dish centerpiece. Use this guide for sizing:
- 4-5 qt. will hold a 1.5 pound Cornish hen
- 6-7 qt. will hold a 4-5 lb. chicken
- 8-9 qt. will hold a 6-8 lb. duck or goose
- 9 qt. and larger will hold a 10-12 lb. turkey
- The 5.25 qt. Signature Roaster and Multifunction Roaster with Sheet Pan Lid both serve about 4-6 and can hold up to a 12 pound turkey. Use the Sheet Pan Lid to roast a second small roast or turkey at the same time if needed.
- Most casserole recipes are sized to serve 4-6 in a 9-inch Heritage Square Dish or 8-10 people in a 9 by 13-inch Heritage Rectangular Dish or Heritage Rectangular Casserole.
- Try using Mini Round Cocottes or Ramekins to make an individual pie, crisp or pudding. Or use our Vancouver Mugs and adorable London Espresso Mugs to make delightfully rich mousse, parfaits and mug cakes.
