Quick Answer: How much stuffing per person for Thanksgiving? Plan about ¾ cup of cooked stuffing per person, made from roughly 1 cup of dry bread cubes each. A 1 lb loaf makes about 12 cups of cubes, enough for around 12 guests. Use the calculator below to get the cooked amount, bread, and number of baking dishes for your group.
Stuffing & Bread Calculator
Assumes about 12 cups of cubes per 1 lb loaf and roughly 9 cups of baked stuffing per 9×13 dish.
Stuffing Per Person: Guest Chart
| Guests | Cooked Stuffing (¾ cup each) | Dry Bread Cubes | Bread Needed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 3 cups | 4 cups | ⅓ lb (~5 slices) |
| 6 | 4½ cups | 6 cups | ½ lb (~8 slices) |
| 8 | 6 cups | 8 cups | ⅔ lb (~11 slices) |
| 10 | 7½ cups | 10 cups | ⅚ lb (~13 slices) |
| 12 | 9 cups | 12 cups | 1 lb loaf |
| 15 | 11¼ cups | 15 cups | 1¼ lbs |
| 20 | 15 cups | 20 cups | 1⅔ lbs |
| 25 | 18¾ cups | 25 cups | 2 lbs |
| 30 | 22½ cups | 30 cups | 2½ lbs |
Keep reading for how to adjust portions for your menu, exactly how much bread to buy, and how much broth it takes to bring it all together.
Adjusting Stuffing Per Person for Thanksgiving Menus
The ¾ cup standard assumes stuffing shares the table with mashed potatoes and a couple of vegetables. On a very full spread, people take smaller spoonfuls, so ½ cup per person is enough. If stuffing is a family favorite or you want leftovers, plan a full cup each. Stuffing and gravy go together for most people, so it's worth planning both at once using our guide to how much gravy per person.
How Much Bread for Stuffing Per Person
| Bread Amount | Dry Cubes (½-inch) | Serves (¾ cup cooked) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 slice (~1 oz) | ~¾ cup | Just under 1 person |
| ½ lb | ~6 cups | ~6 people |
| 1 lb loaf | ~12 cups | ~12 people |
| 1½ lb loaf | ~18 cups | ~18 people |
| 2 lbs | ~24 cups | ~24 people |
Plan about 1 cup of dry bread cubes, or about 1⅓ oz of bread, per person. The cubes shrink by about a quarter once they soak up broth and bake, which is why 1 cup of dry cubes becomes about ¾ cup of finished stuffing. A standard sandwich slice weighs around 1 oz, so our guides to how many slices of bread are in 100g and ounces of grains in 1 slice of bread help when you're working from a partial loaf. Day-old or lightly toasted bread holds its shape better than fresh bread.
How Much Broth Stuffing Needs
Use about 1 cup of broth for every 3 to 4 cups of dry bread cubes. Drier bread absorbs more, so add it gradually until the cubes are moist but not soggy. For 12 guests, that's roughly 3 to 4 cups of broth. A rich homemade stock, like the one in our bone broth guide, gives stuffing more depth than plain water or a thin carton broth. For a wheat-free version, gluten-free bread works the same way, and our gluten-free meal plan covers other swaps for the rest of the meal.
Baked Separately vs Inside the Bird
Baking stuffing in a separate dish makes portioning easier and gives it a crisp top. One 9×13 dish holds about 9 cups, enough for 12 guests at ¾ cup each. If you cook it inside the bird, it needs to reach 165°F (74°C) in the center to be safe, which often means the meat ends up overcooked. Many cooks bake most of the stuffing separately for that reason.
Frequently Asked Questions
About ¾ cup of cooked stuffing per person. Use ½ cup on a crowded menu and 1 cup if you want leftovers.
About 1 cup of dry bread cubes, or roughly 1⅓ oz of bread, per person.
About 12 people. A 1 lb loaf makes roughly 12 cups of dry cubes, which bakes into about 9 cups of stuffing.
About 1 cup of broth for every 3 to 4 cups of dry bread cubes, added gradually until the bread is moist but not soggy.
About 9 cups of baked stuffing, enough for roughly 12 people at ¾ cup each.
Final Answer: How Much Stuffing Per Person for Thanksgiving
Plan ¾ cup of cooked stuffing per person, made from about 1 cup of dry bread cubes each. A 1 lb loaf covers roughly 12 guests and fills one 9×13 dish, with 3 to 4 cups of broth to moisten it. Scale down to ½ cup on a full menu or up to 1 cup if you want leftovers the next day.