Thanksgiving dinner seems simple only until you need to make a shopping list. Turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, sauces, baked goods, desserts, drinks, and items for guests with special preferences quickly turn into a long list.
This checklist will help you calculate the amount of food for your group, organize purchases by store departments, and plan shopping without rushing. The calculations are based on a classic home dinner with turkey, several sides, and leftovers for the next day.
It's easiest to create a shared list in Pickt and share it with family or friends: one person takes the meat department, another handles vegetables, and a third takes baked goods and drinks. Once an item is purchased, the participant simply marks it in Telegram, and no one ends up bringing home three jars of cranberry sauce.
Turkey: What Size to Choose Based on Guest Count
For a holiday turkey, it's better to calculate the weight before cooking, including bones. If you want leftovers for sandwiches, soup, or turkey salad after dinner, buy a bird with extra margin. For groups with many children or additional meat dishes, you can aim for the lower end of the range.
| Number of Guests | Per Person Calculation | Recommended Turkey Weight |
|---|---|---|
| 4–6 people | 0.6–0.7 kg | 3–4 kg |
| 6–8 people | 0.7–0.8 kg | 4.5–6 kg |
| 8–10 people | 0.8 kg | 6.5–8 kg |
| 10–12 people | 0.8–0.9 kg | 8–10 kg |
| 12–16 people | 0.9 kg | 11–14 kg |
The basic rule: plan for 0.7–0.9 kg of whole turkey per adult. For 10 guests, a bird weighing about 7–8 kg is a good choice. If the turkey is frozen, allow time for thawing in the refrigerator: approximately 24 hours for every 2–2.5 kg.
For the turkey, you'll need butter, salt, black pepper, garlic, onions, lemons, fresh herbs, and broth. For flavor, the bird's cavity is usually filled with onion, celery, carrots, lemon, rosemary, thyme, and sage. The average budget for a turkey is about $2–4 per pound, but the price varies significantly depending on the store, season, and farming method.
Sides: Complete List of Ingredients
For Thanksgiving, three to four sides are enough. The classic combination is mashed potatoes, bread stuffing, a vegetable dish, and sweet potatoes. This makes the menu look generous without requiring ten different dishes.
Mashed Potatoes
- Potatoes — 250–300 g per person.
- Butter — 20–25 g per person.
- Milk or cream — 100–150 ml per 4 servings.
- Salt, black pepper, garlic (optional).
- Green onions or parsley for serving.
Bread Stuffing
- Dry bread or ready-made bread cubes — 100–120 g per person.
- Onion — 1 large onion per 6 servings.
- Celery — 3–4 stalks per 6 servings.
- Butter, chicken or vegetable broth.
- Sage, thyme, parsley, salt, and pepper.
- Optional: sausages, mushrooms, apples, dried cranberries, or nuts.
Vegetable Side
For roasted vegetables, plan for 180–220 g per person. Buy Brussels sprouts, green beans, carrots, or broccoli. Add olive oil, garlic, lemon, and chili flakes. For green beans, sliced almonds and fried onions work well.
Sweet Potatoes
You'll need 180–250 g of sweet potatoes per person, butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, salt, and mini marshmallows or pecans for the casserole. If the menu already includes a very sweet dessert, reduce the sugar or choose a savory version with herbs.
Sauces and Baked Goods
Sauce completes the plate, so don't limit yourself to just store-bought gravy. For homemade gravy, you'll need broth, flour, butter, and juices from roasting the turkey. Plan for about 80–120 ml of sauce per person.
For cranberry sauce, buy fresh or frozen cranberries, sugar, an orange, and a little water. One package of cranberries weighing about 340 g usually yields 6–8 servings. You can also add cinnamon, ginger, or orange zest.
Put rolls or cornbread on the table: 1–2 pieces per guest. Don't forget butter, including a separate dairy-free option if needed for guests. For dessert, the classic choices are pumpkin pie, apple pie, or pecan pie. For 8 guests, two pies are usually enough, especially if there's ice cream, whipped cream, and coffee.
Drinks
Plan for 1–1.5 liters of non-alcoholic drinks per guest for the whole evening, including water. Buy still and sparkling water, apple cider, juice, lemonade, or iced tea. For hot drinks, have coffee, tea, sugar, lemon, and milk or plant-based alternatives.
If alcoholic drinks are planned, aim for 2–3 servings per adult guest. Dry white wine pairs well with turkey, while light red wine goes well with cranberry and sweet potato dishes. For a group of 8 adults, 3–4 bottles of wine are usually enough if there are also cider, beer, or non-alcoholic options.
Consolidated Shopping List by Store Department
Meat and Frozen Department
- Turkey of the required weight.
- Sausages or bacon for stuffing — optional.
- Frozen cranberries if fresh ones aren't available.
Vegetables and Fruits
- Potatoes, sweet potatoes, carrots, celery.
- Brussels sprouts, green beans, or broccoli.
- Onions, garlic, green onions.
- Lemons, oranges, apples.
- Fresh rosemary, thyme, sage, and parsley.
- Fresh cranberries.
Dairy and Eggs
- Butter.
- Milk or cream.
- Eggs for baking or stuffing.
- Whipped cream and ice cream.
Pantry and Bakery
- Bread or cubes for stuffing.
- Rolls, cornbread, or baguette.
- Broth.
- Flour, sugar, brown sugar.
- Olive oil, salt, pepper, cinnamon.
- Pecans, sliced almonds, dried cranberries.
- Marshmallows, pumpkin puree, and pie crusts.
Drinks
- Still and sparkling water.
- Cider, juice, lemonade, or iced tea.
- Coffee, tea, sugar.
- Wine, beer, or non-alcoholic alternatives.
Shopping Plan: What to Buy a Week Before, 2 Days Before, and on Day X
A Week Before Dinner
Order or buy the frozen turkey and immediately put it in the refrigerator to thaw if time allows. Buy non-perishable items: broth, spices, flour, sugar, drinks, nuts, canned pumpkin puree, pie crusts, and frozen products. Check that you have baking sheets, a meat thermometer, foil, containers for leftovers, and paper napkins.
2 Days Before Dinner
Buy fresh vegetables, herbs, dairy products, bread, and desserts. Make the cranberry sauce: it will only taste better in the refrigerator. Chop vegetables for the stuffing, prepare the sweet potatoes, and check that the turkey is fully thawed.
On Day X
Buy only the freshest rolls, ice, flowers, and additional drinks if needed. Take the butter out early so it softens. Start with the turkey, then put the sides in the oven. Before guests arrive, assign final tasks: who sets the table, who pours drinks, and who watches over the dessert.
Create separate sections in Pickt for "Turkey," "Sides," "Drinks," and "For the Table," then invite all participants to the shared list. Everyone can check off their store department, and you'll see what's already been purchased right in Telegram. This is especially convenient when several people are preparing the holiday dinner together.
