Christmas Dinner Shopping List: How Much Prime Rib, Ham and Turkey per Person
For a bone-in prime rib, one rib feeds two people; boneless, plan 1/2 to 3/4 lb per person. Bone-in ham takes 1/3 to 1/2 lb per person, and turkey about 1 lb per person. Below: a chart for 6 to 12 guests, the sides math and a printable checklist.
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Christmas dinner is the biggest grocery run of the year for many households, and it lands in the week when stores are busiest. With per-person amounts and a list sorted by when to buy what, one big shop plus a quick one for fresh items is usually enough.
The amounts below are for adults with several sides. If you want leftovers, buy more: many guides add about half a pound of turkey per person.
Christmas Dinner Amounts per Person (Chart for 6, 8 and 12 Guests)
Raw weight when you shop. Pick one main; if you serve two, scale each one down.
| Item | Per person | 6 guests | 8 guests | 12 guests |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prime rib, bone-in | 1 rib per 2 people | 3 ribs | 4 ribs | 6 ribs |
| Prime rib, boneless | 1/2–3/4 lb | 3–4.5 lb | 4–6 lb | 6–9 lb |
| Ham, bone-in | 1/3–1/2 lb | 2–3 lb | 2.7–4 lb | 4–6 lb |
| Ham, boneless | 1/4–1/3 lb | 1.5–2 lb | 2–2.7 lb | 3–4 lb |
| Turkey, whole | about 1 lb | about 6 lb | about 8 lb | about 12 lb |
| Potatoes for mashing (raw) | 1/2 lb | 3 lb | 4 lb | 6 lb |
| Vegetable sides (cooked) | 1 cup | 6 cups | 8 cups | 12 cups |
| Dinner rolls | 1–2 | 6–12 | 8–16 | 12–24 |
| Pie (9-inch) | 1 slice | 1 pie | 1 pie | 2 pies |
| Wine | 1/2 bottle | 3 bottles | 4 bottles | 6 bottles |
For leftovers, add about half a pound of turkey per person, and buy a little more of any roast.
Christmas Dinner Shopping Checklist
Sorted by when to buy. Pantry items can go in your cart in early December; fresh produce, cream and rolls a day or two before.
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Order or buy early 0/7
Spices and pantry 0/6
Fresh, 1 to 2 days before 0/7
Dessert 0/4
Kitchen gear 0/5
Christmas morning 0/5
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How Much Prime Rib per Person?
For a bone-in standing rib roast, count one rib for every two people: a three-rib roast feeds six. Many cooks simplify that to about 1 lb of bone-in roast per person. For a boneless rib roast, plan 1/2 to 3/4 lb per person.
How Much Ham per Person?
For a bone-in ham, plan 1/3 to 1/2 lb per person to account for the bone. For a boneless ham, 1/4 to 1/3 lb per person is enough. Eat or freeze leftover ham within four days of cooking.
How Much Turkey per Person?
The USDA suggests about 1 lb of whole turkey per person. If you want leftovers for sandwiches, plan about 1.5 lb per person. A frozen turkey needs about 24 hours in the fridge for every 4 to 5 lb to thaw, so a 12-lb bird can take up to three days.
How Much of Each Side per Guest?
For mashed potatoes, buy about 1/2 lb of raw potatoes per guest. Plan about 1 cup of vegetable sides per person in total, one or two dinner rolls each, and about 3/4 cup of stuffing and 1/2 cup of gravy per guest. One 9-inch pie serves eight, and half a bottle of wine per guest is a common estimate.
Christmas Dinner Menu Ideas and What to Buy
These classics are easy to plan because much of the work can be done the day before.
Prime rib dinner
Prime rib, horseradish, garlic, rosemary, roasted potatoes, green beans, and flour, eggs and milk for Yorkshire pudding.
Glazed ham
Ham, brown sugar, Dijon mustard and pineapple or orange juice for the glaze, with scalloped potatoes and a green vegetable.
Roast turkey
Turkey, stuffing, gravy, cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes and a vegetable side.
Vegetarian main
Mushroom Wellington: puff pastry, mushrooms, spinach and onions, served with roasted potatoes.
When to Buy What
Order a prime rib or a fresh turkey from the butcher one to two weeks ahead. Buy pantry items, drinks and baking supplies in early December, and fresh produce, cream and rolls on December 22 or 23. Many grocery stores close early on Christmas Eve or stay closed on Christmas Day, so don't count on a last-minute run.
Share the List with Your Family
When the whole family pitches in, the shopping is often split. In the Pauly app you share a list by code or link, and everyone sees right away who added what. Sharing your own list is part of Pauly Pro; joining is free.
Sources for these amounts
- South Dakota State University Extension: Tips for purchasing turkey, ham and prime rib: Prime rib, ham and turkey per person; leftovers within four days
- Tasting Table: The per-person rule for buying prime rib
- Whole Foods Market: Holiday servings calculator: Potatoes, sides, rolls, pie and wine per guest
- Sur La Table: How to plan your holiday menu: Rolls per person
- University of Nebraska–Lincoln: How to thaw a turkey: 24 hours per 4 to 5 lb in the fridge
Christmas Dinner Shopping FAQ
How much prime rib per person?
One rib for every two people on a bone-in roast, often simplified to about 1 lb per person. Boneless: 1/2 to 3/4 lb per person.
How many people does a 3-rib roast feed?
About six, at one rib per two people.
How much ham per person?
1/3 to 1/2 lb per person for bone-in ham, 1/4 to 1/3 lb for boneless.
How much turkey per person?
About 1 lb of whole turkey per person, or about 1.5 lb if you want leftovers.
How many pies for 12 people?
Two 9-inch pies, since one pie serves about eight.
How long does a turkey take to thaw?
In the fridge, about 24 hours for every 4 to 5 lb. A 12-lb turkey can take up to three days.
Your holiday list on your phone in 10 seconds
Dictate your groceries into the free Pauly app. It sorts everything by store section, so you get through the busiest shopping week in one pass. For iPhone and Android.