Everything You Need to Know About Cooking a Small Turkey This Thanksgiving
Updated: Dec. 02, 2023
Here's a handy guide to buying a small turkey: how much turkey to buy, where to shop and how long to cook a smaller bird.
Whether you’re hosting a small group or just want to focus on the side dishes, cooking a small turkey for Thanksgiving can seriously simplify your hosting duties. Here’s what you need to know about buying and roasting a small bird.
The Pros and Cons of a Small Turkey
When it comes to Thanksgiving turkeys, bigger isn’t always better. Large turkeys are heavy to lift in and out of the oven. They’re also difficult to cook through without drying out parts of the bird—too often, the white meat is overcooked and almost cottony before the slower-to-cook dark meat reaches a safe temperature. (Here’s our guide to cooking turkey for the best results.)
Cooking a small turkey is, quite simply, quicker, giving you a greater likelihood of juicy meat and crispy (not scorched) skin.
The cons, of course, are that you’ll have less meat to serve—if you’re hosting a small group, refer to our guide below to see how much meat to buy. Also, you’ll have less turkey to enjoy in leftovers.
How small of a turkey can you buy?
Frankly, even a small turkey is fairly sizable; it’s never going to be like cooking a Cornish game hen. Most “small” turkeys range from 10 to 12 pounds, though you may be able to find one smaller. Kroger grocery store even carries a five-pound bird.
How much turkey you’ll need for a small group
- Four guests: 5 lbs.
- Six guests: 8 lbs.
- Eight guests: 10 lbs.
If you’re hosting a vegetarian-leaning group, your family and friends prefer side dishes or you’re serving an alternative Thanksgiving entree, then you may want to buy a tiny turkey even if you’re serving a larger group.
Want to go even smaller? Consider buying a turkey breast, which is a breeze to roast and generally ranges between three and four pounds.
How Long to Cook a Small Turkey
Turkey takes about 15-20 minutes per pound to cook, assuming that you’re beginning with a defrosted but still cool from the fridge bird. Roast at 325ºF until the interior temperature reaches 170º to 175º. (You’ll need an instant-read thermometer to check.)
Where to Buy a Small Turkey
As we mentioned, Kroger grocery stores should stock a range of smaller turkeys, even some as small as five pounds. Trader Joe’s may have turkeys as small as 12 pounds; they also sell cooked, brined turkey breasts. Whole Foods also sells a bone-in turkey breast that weighs about six pounds. Online sources include D’artagnan, which sells organic, free-range turkeys from eight pounds.
Don’t have one of those stores near you? Call your local grocery store and find out what they offer. If you know you want a specific size turkey, contact your butcher ahead of time and they’ll do their best to accommodate you.
How Many of These Classic Thanksgiving Recipes Will You Make?
Green Bean Casserole
This easy green bean casserole has always been one of my favorite traditional Thanksgiving dishes. You can make it before any guests arrive and refrigerate it until it’s ready to bake. —Anna Baker, Blaine, Washington
After you've got dinner sorted, snag these Thanksgiving dinner gadgets and dress up your Thanksgiving table. 
Buttermilk Biscuits"These biscuits are made from a recipe that's been in our family for years. They're simple to make and smell so good when baking! The wonderful aroma takes me back to those days when Mom made this meal—it's like I'm there in our family's kitchen again, with her busy at the stove."
Hot Spiced Cranberry DrinkI serve this rosy spiced beverage at parties and family gatherings during the winter. Friends like the tangy twist it gets from Red Hots. It's a nice change from the usual hot chocolate. —Laura Burgess, Ballwin, Missouri
Seasoned Brown Rice PilafFor those of us who are white rice lovers at heart, this recipe makes brown rice taste great! Everyone takes seconds; it is that good. It is so easy to prepare. To convert for vegetarians, just substitute veggie broth for the beef broth. Any Thanksgiving leftovers are delicious the next day. —Amy Berry, Poland, Maine
Creamed Pearl OnionsWhen our children were small, we always celebrated Christmas at our house. This was one of many recipes I relied on that could be prepared a day in advance, which gave me more time to spend with guests. Everyone expected to see this vegetable dish on the table every year.
—Barbara Caserman, Lake Havasu City, Arizona
Special Squash CasseroleSquash has traditionally been a food our family passes up, but this luscious casserole is an exception to the rule. You won't find it among our Thanksgiving leftovers—it's one of the first dishes to go back to the kitchen empty. —Kathleen Cox, Wyoming, Michigan
Holiday Creamed SpinachMy mother made a variety of spinach dishes when I was growing up. This rich, delicious creamed version is the only one that stayed with me through the years.—Edie DeSpain, Logan, Utah
Foolproof GravyMake your Thanksgiving or other special-occasion dinner easy with this can't-miss homemade gravy recipe. Use the drippings from your roasted turkey, and the gravy is done in just 20 minutes. —Edie DeSpain, Logan, Utah
Maple-Glazed Green BeansAfter I picked my first green beans of the season one year, I wanted to make a savory side dish that was unique, quick and packed with flavor. I loved this so much I couldn't stop eating it. The next day I picked more beans and made this delicious side dish again. —Merry Graham, Newhall, California
Spiced Acorn SquashWorking full time, I found I didn't always have time to cook the meals my family loved, so I re-created many of those dishes in the slow cooker. This treatment for squash is one of our favorites. —Carol Greco, Centereach, New York
Cranberry FluffThis fluffy fruit salad gets its sweet-tart flavor from cranberries and whipped cream. We like it because it's not as sweet as many other "fluffs." I'm often asked for the secret to this luscious holiday salad. —Lavonne Hartel, Williston, North Dakota
Slow-Cooked Wild RiceThis recipe has become such a family heirloom that I asked my mother's permission before passing it along. It has traveled to weddings, landmark birthdays and wedding anniversaries—and it always makes people happy. —Janet Mahowald, Rice Lake, Wisconsin
Maple-Sage Brined TurkeyWhen the leaves start turning, it’s turkey time at our house. We use maple-sage brine to help brown the bird and make the meat incredibly juicy. —Kim Forni, Laconia, New Hampshire
Country Turnip GreensIf you’ve never tried making turnip greens, my recipe is an easy, tasty way to start. Pork and onions give the fresh greens wonderful flavor .—Sandra Pichon, Memphis, Tennessee
Whipped SquashThis is an excellent way to serve one of the season's most delicious vegetables—butternut squash. Its rich flavor and golden harvest color really come through in this smooth vegetable side dish.
—Dorothy Pritchett, Wills Point, Texas
Quick Golden Squash SoupThis delectable soup feels like fall! Its golden color and rich, satisfying flavor have made it a favorite of mine—which is really amazing because I was convinced I didn't like squash until I tried this recipe. —Becky Ruff, Monona, Iowa
Pretty Duchess PotatoesComfort-food flavor comes in attractive packages that are just the right size! This recipe is a favorite Christmas dinner or Thanksgiving menu idea. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Candied PecansI pack these easy candied pecans in jars tied with pretty ribbon for family and friends. My granddaughter gave some to a doctor at the hospital where she works, and he said they were too good to be true! —Opal Turner, Hughes Springs, Texas
Molded Cranberry Nut SaladWe try lots of cranberry recipes, and this one is always requested when we have family get-togethers at Thanksgiving and Christmas. It's also been a favorite dish at every church party I've taken it to! —Eleanor Arthur, Seattle, Washington
Hot Spinach Apple SaladWith a light sweet-tangy dressing, the spinach doesn’t wilt and the apples retain their crunch. We serve this salad with homemade bread. —Denise Albers, Freeburg, Illinois
Sage DressingThis moist, hearty sage stuffing is nicely seasoned with sausage and fresh mushrooms. Sometimes I use it to stuff my Thanksgiving turkey and other times I bake it separately. —Betty Kay Sitzman, Wray, Colorado
Roasted Acorn Squash & Brussels Sprouts
I love creating dishes with few ingredients and easy steps, like squash with Brussels sprouts. Maple syrup adds a slight sweetness, and pecans give it a toasty crunch. —Angela LeMoine, Howell, New Jersey
Aunt Margaret's Sweet Potato CasseroleMy great-aunt made an incredible sweet potato casserole for our holiday dinners. I’ve lightened it up a bit, but we love it just the same. —Beth Britton, Fairlawn, Ohio
Baker's Dozen Yeast RollsA yummy honey-garlic topping turns these easy dinner rolls into something extra special. Try ’em with soups and chili. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Cinnamon-Sugar Apple PieCinnamon apple pie baked in a cast iron skillet is a real stunner. This beauty, with its flaky, tender crust, also works in a 9-inch deep-dish pie plate. —Renee Schettler Rossi, New York, New York
Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Cranberries & AlmondsIf Brussels sprouts taste bitter to you, roast them for a gentle sweetness that goes with cranberries and almonds. This side dish won us over. —Claudia Lamascolo, Melbourne, Florida
Flaky Butterhorn RollsThe recipe for these dinner rolls, slightly sweet and so very flaky, was my mother’s. They are simple to prepare because kneading skills are not required and the dough is easy to handle. My grandchildren have renamed them "Grandma’s croissants"! —Bernice Smith, Sturgeon Lake, Minnesota
Creamy Sweet PotatoesI took my mother's delicious sweet potato casserole and gave it a new twist by adding the tempting taste of orange—a fruit very abundant in our state. The flavors are wonderful together and make this dish a family favorite. —Norma Poole, Auburndale, Florida
Mashed Garlic PotatoesI infuse creamy mashed potatoes with the subtle taste of garlic, which makes them a welcome addition to any meal. —Myra Innes, Auburn, Kansas
Originally Published: November 21, 2022
