Here are some turkey numbers keep in mind for Thanksgiving Day:
- 4 to 6 people = 4- to 9-lb. turkey (If you can't find a bird that small, you can get a slightly larger bird that will allow for more leftovers.)
- 8 to 10 people = 14- to 16-lb. turkey
- 12 to 16 people = 16- to 22-lb. turkey
- 18 to 20 people = 27- to 30-lb. turkey
How many pounds of Turkey does an average person eat?
The average commercial turkey sold in grocery stores weighs just over 30 pounds, according to the Wall Street Journal. That means Americans are eating nearly 1.4 billion pounds of turkey during the holiday. Americans consume between 2,500 and 4,500 calories at the Thanksgiving table.
How many pounds are in the average Turkey?
The average weight of a turkey purchased at Thanksgiving is 15 pounds. The heaviest turkey ever raised was 86 pounds, about the size of a large dog. A 15 pound turkey usually has about 70 percent white meat and 30 percent dark meat. The wild turkey is native to northern Mexico and the eastern United States. The male turkey is called a tom.
How many pounds of Turkey for 10 people?
Rocco DiSpirito, executive chef at The Standard Grill in NYC, seconds the two-pounds-per-person rule. “So, for 10 people you should prepare a 20-pound turkey. Home cooks should expect to yield 40 percent of a cooked bird, and between dark meat and white meat preferences, the yield will shrink even further.”
How much Turkey do you need per person?
The rule of thumb is 1 1/2 pounds of turkey per person with leftovers and 1 pound of turkey per person without leftovers. If your guest list includes a lot of kids, lean towards a smaller size turkey. If your guests are big eaters, lean towards a larger turkey.
Is a 14 pound turkey enough for 4 people?
4 to 6 people = 4- to 9-lb. turkey (If you can't find a bird that small, you can get a slightly larger bird that will allow for more leftovers.) 8 to 10 people = 14- to 16-lb. turkey.
What size turkey do I need to feed 10 adults?
15 to 20 poundsChoosing the Right Size Turkey When choosing a turkey to serve on Thanksgiving, figure 1 1/2 pounds per person. If you are serving 10 people on Thanksgiving, choose a bird that is 15 to 20 pounds. Smaller birds that weigh less than 12 pounds have a smaller meat-to-bone ratio, so figure two pounds per person.
What size turkey do I need for 4 adults?
Turkey Weight– Once you know the exact number of attendees, use this formula: Number of guests x 1.25. You'll want to plan on about 1.25 pounds of turkey per person attending.
How many servings is a 10 pound turkey?
For turkeys less than 16 pounds, estimate 1 pound per serving (this accounts for bone weight). For larger birds, a bit less is fine; they have a higher meat-to-bone ratio.
How big of a turkey do I need for 9 guests?
If you're feeding up to 9 people, then you want to allow about 1lb or about . 4kgs of turkey per person. If you're hosting 10 or more guests then you want to allow about . 8 of a lb, or about .
How big of a turkey do I need for 6 8 people?
What Size Turkey Should you Buy?PeopleTurkey Size44-6 lbs66-9 lbs88-12 lbs1010-15 lbs7 more rows
How many will a 6 pound turkey breast feed?
We recommend bone-in and skin-on breasts, which is what we use for this method. One (three-pound) half-breast will feed two to four people. A whole (six- to seven-pound) turkey breast (two breasts, still joined at the breast bone) will feed six to eight people.
Are Butterball turkeys better?
Butterball turkeys are of the highest quality product and will be sure to impress your guests. Here's why Butterball is the right (and only!) choice this holiday season: Butterball turkeys are always tender and juicy because we take the extra step of individually pre-brining them based on size.
How long should a 15lb turkey cook?
The simplest way to figure out turkey roasting times is to calculate 13 minutes per pound at 350°F for an unstuffed turkey (that's about 3 hours for a 12- to 14-lb....If your turkey weighs 15 to 16 pounds, roast it at:425°F for 3 to 3¼ hours.400°F for 3¼ to 3½ hours.350°F for 3½ to 3¾ hours.325°F for 3¾ to 4 hours.
How big a turkey should I buy for 6 adults?
While 1 pound per person could feel like too little, and 1 1/2 pounds for each guest might be over-doing it, 1 1/4 pounds of turkey per mouth is the perfect balance.
How much turkey do I need for 6 guests?
We put together a Turkey Day cheat sheet that will help you determine how many pounds of turkey per person you can prep for your feast, plus our best estimates for Thanksgiving side dishes and desserts. Quick rule of thumb to get you started: If you're buying a whole turkey, plan on 1 pound (uncooked) per person.
Why is turkey size important?
Turkey size is important since it will determine how big of a helping each guest gets—not to mention how much will be left for leftovers. To make things simple, we’ve created a guide to help you pick the perfect-sized turkey for your holiday feast.
How long does it take to thaw a turkey?
Thawing takes as little as 30 minutes per pound, but you’ll need to change the water frequently and cook the turkey immediately after thawing. Psst! Now that you know how much turkey to make, put those coveted Thanksgiving leftovers to work! Here are a few leftover turkey recipes to get you started.
How long to thaw a turkey in the fridge?
Once you’ve bought the perfect bird, decide whether you’ll thaw the turkey in the fridge or in cold water. The refrigerator method requires 24 hours of thaw time for every 4 pounds of bird, but you can wait a day or two after thawing to cook it. The cold water method requires less time but a little more math.
Can you cook a turkey breast in a slow cooker?
For small groups: This slow cooker turkey recipe is an easy way to cook turkey breast. Once you’ve chosen the perfect turkey recipe, make sure you know how to prepare it! This handy guide tells you exactly how long to cook a turkey.
How to Differentiate Requirements between Whole Turkey and Breast Meat
Boneless turkey breast meat will usually translate into a 50% conversion ratio in terms of requirement per guest. So if you are entertaining big eaters, consider buying ¾ of a lb. of breast meat per person. If you are hosting a group of average eaters, five-eighth of a lb. of breast meat should be a good rule of thumb.
What Else to Get and in What Amount?
Along with turkey, you will need a variety of other ingredients/dishes to complete your Thanksgiving menu. The proportions of turkey will also vary based on the number of dishes – starters, entrees, sides and desserts – you offer your guests along with libations.
Final Thoughts
Cooking turkey for big occasions with family and friends can be a pleasure, before and during the meals. If you plan a bit carefully, and follow the guidelines above, you can take out the guessing and stress involved in the planning and cooking part of it.
How Much Turkey Per Person?
One of the most frequently asked questions is what size turkey to buy. The rule of thumb is 1 1/2 pounds of turkey per person with leftovers and 1 pound of turkey per person without leftovers. If your guest list includes a lot of kids, lean towards a smaller size turkey. If your guests are big eaters, lean towards a larger turkey.
Should You Buy Fresh or Frozen Turkey?
Buying a fresh turkey or a frozen one depends on your time, preference, and resources: A fresh turkey usually costs more but doesn't need thawing. Some find fresh turkeys more flavorful than frozen.
What do Turkey Package Labels Mean?
Here are a few of the labels you might find on the package when you go turkey shopping, and more importantly, what they mean:
Choosing the Right Size
The most important thing to keep in mind is that, if you’re buying a whole bird, you’re buying way more than just the turkey meat you’ll eat. There’s bones and cartilage and cuts that, frankly, no one will want to eat. So don’t let the weight fool you.
The Magic Formula
The general rule of thumb is… 1 person = 1 pound of turkey If you want to ensure you’ve got leftovers for sandwiches or Thanksgiving muffins or Leftover Turkey Tortilla Soup, aim for 1 ½ pounds of turkey per person.
Quick Conversions
For X number of people, purchase a whole bone-in turkey that weighs Y pounds.
How to Make Your Turkey Go Further
If you’re still feeling iffy about how much you’ll be serving, there are some ways to make it go a little further. First of all, Thanksgiving is all about food. There’s usually a ton of it, and most of the dishes are incredibly rich and savory and sweet and (most importantly) filling.