The 42-item Thanksgiving list (built for any guest count)
Thanksgiving is scale mathematics. A 6-person dinner needs a 10-lb bird; a 16-person dinner needs 18 lb. Sides scale linearly; sauces less so. This list breaks down exactly what to buy, organized by store aisle.
Protein (1 item)
Turkey: 1-1.25 lb raw per person for no leftovers; 1.5 lb for 3 days of leftovers.
Round up to available sizes: 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20 lb.
Buy frozen 2 weeks ahead or fresh 2-3 days ahead.
Produce (14 items)
Russet potatoes (½ lb per person, raw), sweet potatoes (⅓ lb per person), yellow onions (2 medium), celery (1 bunch), carrots (1 lb), fresh thyme, fresh sage, fresh rosemary, Italian parsley, garlic (1 bulb), lemons (3), fresh cranberries (1 lb per 8 guests), apples (2 for pie + extras for cheese board), green beans (½ lb per person).
Dairy (6 items)
Unsalted butter (2 lb for 10 guests, 3 lb for 16), heavy cream (1 pint), whole milk (½ gallon), sour cream (for mashed, 8 oz), plain Greek yogurt (8 oz, optional for rolls), cream cheese (8 oz, optional for dessert).
Pantry / dry (10 items)
All-purpose flour (2 lb), granulated sugar (2 lb), brown sugar (1 lb), powdered sugar (½ lb, for dessert), cornstarch, baking powder, baking soda, salt, pepper, fine sea salt.
Baking specific (5 items)
Vanilla extract, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, pumpkin puree (1 can per pie), evaporated milk (for pumpkin pie).
Bread (2 items)
Dinner rolls (1 per person + 2 extra), bread cubes or sourdough loaf for stuffing.
Cranberry sauce ingredients (5 items)
1 lb fresh cranberries (per 8 guests), 1 cup sugar, 1 orange (for zest and juice), cinnamon stick, pinch of salt.
Wine/beverage (varies)
1 bottle wine per 2 adults (mixed red/white). Sparkling for arrival (1 bottle per 6 adults). Non-alcoholic: sparkling water, apple cider.
Scaling formulas
Total turkey = guests × 1.25 (round up to next 2-lb increment).
Total potatoes = guests × 0.5 lb (raw).
Total butter = 1 lb per 4 guests + 1 lb for pies.
Total rolls = guests × 1.25 (accounts for seconds).
Total pies = guests ÷ 8 (round up). For 12 guests: 2 pies.
Day-of-shopping kit (emergency backup)
Items you'll always run out of: butter (buy 1 extra stick), lemons (buy 2 extra), fresh herbs (buy 1 extra bundle), ice (always short), paper towels, trash bags, aluminum foil.
Shopping timeline
T-14: frozen turkey.
T-7: shelf-stable items.
T-3: butter, cream, dry goods.
T-2: produce and herbs.
T-0: the forgotten stuff (butter, lemons, herbs).
Related: prep checklist, turkey scaler, holiday planner, pantry checklist.
Frequently asked
How much flour do I need? 2 lb covers 2 pies + gravy + rolls for 10 guests.
Fresh vs. canned cranberries? Fresh is dramatically better. Canned works in a pinch.
Heavy cream vs. whipping cream? Heavy cream (36%+ fat) whips more stably. Whipping cream works fine for sauces.
Whole milk or 2%? Whole milk for pies and mashed potatoes. 2% is fine for drinking/coffee.
Organic? Worth it for turkey (hormone-free birds taste better), produce. Not meaningful for canned pumpkin or sugar.