How Many Pounds of Potatoes Do You Need Per Person for Thanksgiving?
Are you planning a big family Thanksgiving dinner and wondering how many pounds of potatoes you need to make for your guests? This is a common question that many hosts and hostesses ask themselves in preparation for the big meal. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the factors that determine how many pounds of potatoes you should plan for per person.
Factors to Consider
First and foremost, the size of your guest list is a key factor in determining the amount of potatoes needed. It’s common to allocate one to one and a half pounds of potatoes per person when preparing for a large gathering. This means that for 12 guests, you might need between 12 and 18 pounds of potatoes.
It’s also important to think about the types of dishes you’ll be serving alongside the potatoes. Will there be other starchy sides, like dinner rolls or stuffing? If so, you may be able to allocate slightly less potato per person so that you don’t end up with too much food.
Another factor to consider is the preferences of your guests. Are they big fans of mashed potatoes, or do they prefer roasted or baked? If many of your guests prefer the latter two options, you may be able to allocate less per person since these methods tend to result in slightly less dense dishes.
Examples and Case Studies
Let’s say you’re hosting a dinner for 10 guests and plan to serve mashed potatoes as the main starch. Based on the above considerations, you’ll need between 10 and 15 pounds of potatoes to properly feed everyone. If your family tends to have big appetites, leaning towards the higher end of that range may be the best bet.
On the other hand, if you’re planning to serve roasted potatoes alongside other sides like bread and vegetables, you could probably get away with closer to 3/4 to one pound per person. These types of dishes tend to be a bit less filling and may not require as much as your guests would eat if it was the only type of starch being served.
Conclusion
Overall, there are several factors to keep in mind when determining how many pounds of potatoes to plan for per person at Thanksgiving. The size of your guest list, the types of dishes being served alongside the potatoes, and your guests’ preferences all play a role in making this decision. By taking the time to consider these factors, you can ensure that your Thanksgiving dinner is a hit with everyone in attendance.
