For many families, roasting a huge 20-pound turkey is a Thanksgiving tradition. But if you’re only cooking for a few people, a massive bird can be overkill. A small turkey may be a better fit for intimate holiday gatherings. So what exactly is a small turkey?
Typical Sizes for Small Turkeys
You’ll find that most “small turkeys” range in size from 10 to 14 pounds although you may be able to find them as small as 6 pounds. Birds on the smaller side are sometimes labeled as “turkey breasts” rather than whole small turkeys.
Here’s a rundown of typical small turkey sizes
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6 to 8 pounds: The smallest size, best for feeding just 2-4 people. May be labeled as a turkey breast rather than a whole turkey.
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10 to 12 pounds: The most common size range for a small turkey. Good for 4-6 people.
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12 to 14 pounds: At the upper size range for “small.” Could feed 6-8 people.
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16 pounds and up: No longer considered a small turkey. Better for larger gatherings of 8+ people.
So in general, anything 16 pounds and under can be considered a small turkey, while birds over 16 pounds are regular-sized or large.
How Much Turkey Per Person
When estimating how much turkey you need, plan on about 1 pound of uncooked turkey per person. This accounts for bone weight and provides enough meat for generous servings.
Here’s a guide:
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For 2 people: Plan on a 6 to 8 pound turkey.
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For 4 people: Get a 10 to 12 pound turkey.
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For 6 people: Aim for a 12 to 14 pound turkey.
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For 8 people: Look for a 14 to 16 pound turkey.
Keep in mind you may want extra turkey for leftovers. So it’s fine to size up slightly, especially if you’ll have big eaters at the table.
Benefits of a Small Turkey
Downsizing your Thanksgiving turkey has some nice advantages:
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Easier to manage: A 10-pound bird is much less unwieldy than a 20-pounder. It’s simpler to get in and out of the oven.
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Cooks faster: With less meat to roast, a small turkey cooks in a fraction of the time. You’ll get juicy results without overcooking.
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More options: Smaller turkeys are readily available at more grocery stores, so you’re not limited by inventory.
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Good for leftovers: You can get the right amount of meat for leftovers without wasted food.
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Specialty sizes: Turkey breasts provide white meat only, if that’s your favorite part.
Finding a Small Turkey
While most stores carry large turkeys for Thanksgiving, you may have to hunt a little harder for a small bird. Here are some tips:
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Check your local supermarket near the holiday, when they restock special sizes.
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Ask your butcher counter if they can specially order a small turkey.
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Check warehouse stores like Costco or Sam’s Club, which often stock small birds.
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Order from a mail-order gourmet company like D’Artagnan or Local Farms.
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Consider buying just a boneless turkey breast, available at many grocery stores.
Tips for Cooking a Small Turkey
Preparing a petite turkey is much the same as cooking a larger bird. Follow these tips:
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Thaw safely: Thaw small turkeys for 24 hours per 4 pounds in the fridge.
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Prep carefully: Remove giblets, rinse turkey, and pat dry. Tuck wings, tie legs.
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Rub with butter: Massage skin with butter or oil for crisping. Season inside cavity.
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Use a rack: Place turkey on a rack in a shallow roasting pan. Add broth or water to pan.
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Roast at 325°F: Cook 15-20 minutes per pound, until it reaches 165°F internally in the thigh.
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Tent with foil: If skin browns quickly, loosely tent with foil to prevent burning.
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Let rest: Allow to rest 20 minutes before carving for juicier meat.
Make the Most of Your Small Turkey
Downsizing your holiday bird doesn’t mean missing out on any flavor or fun. You can still create a festive Thanksgiving meal for just a few.
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Roast turkey breasts or legs separately for white and dark meat.
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Use excess turkey in casseroles, soups, sandwiches, and more after the holiday.
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Supplement with side dishes, hams, roasts, or other entrees if needed.
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Bake up a storm with pies, breads, and all your holiday favorites.
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Focus on creating wonderful memories, not on the turkey size.
So don’t be afraid to break tradition and try a small turkey. With the right size bird and a little creativity, you can still have a memorable and delicious Thanksgiving feast.
Self-Basting or Pre-Brined
Self-basting and pre-brined turkeys have been injected with broth, salt, seasonings, beer, and/or other flavorings. If you want to season your turkey without brining it, don’t salt or brine it. It might make the turkey too salty and dry.
Fresh vs. Frozen
The real difference is pretty clear: frozen turkeys have been frozen, and you need to plan for time for them to thaw when you buy them that way. Thawing a big bird can take several days since turkeys can only safely be thawed in the fridge. If that’s important to you, make sure that when you buy turkey that wasn’t frozen, it really is “fresh” and not “previously frozen” and then thawed at the store.
Once they’re cooked, most people won’t be able to tell much of a difference between fresh and frozen birds. However, some side-by-side tests of birds that are otherwise the same show that fresh birds are juicier and more tender. However, the type of turkey and how it’s cooked are more important now that there are better ways to freeze food that don’t lose as much water.
Why The Smaller Turkey Costs 10x More
FAQ
Is a 10 pound turkey small?
What size turkey for 2 adults?
How many people will a 15 lb turkey feed?
What is considered a medium-sized turkey?
What is the smallest turkey?
2kg is the smallest whole turkey you will be able to buy. Of course, if you need smaller than that, you can opt for a Turkey Crown instead! We also have a simpler slow cooker turkey crown recipe you may like to try for a complete hands-off turkey cooking experience. Where can I buy a small turkey?
What are the different types of small turkeys?
There are many different breeds of small turkeys, each with its own unique characteristics. Some of the most popular breeds of small turkeys include: * Buff Orpington Turkey: The Buff Orpington Turkey is a light brown turkey with a yellow beard and wattle. This breed is known for its calm temperament and gentle disposition.
Is a small Turkey better than a large turkey?
Small turkeys are easier to cook than large ones, plain and simple. For one, their size makes them easier to pull in and out of the oven for basting. But more importantly, it’s much easier to get moist, juicy meat and perfectly golden-brown skin when you’re cooking a small turkey. When it comes to roasting, turkey is somewhat of a flawed bird.
Where can I buy a small turkey breast?
As we mentioned, Kroger grocery stores should stock a range of smaller turkeys, even some as small as five pounds. Trader Joe’s may have turkeys as small as 12 pounds; they also sell cooked, brined turkey breasts. Whole Foods also sells a bone-in turkey breast that weighs about six pounds.
Where can I buy a smaller turkey?
Many specialty markets and local grocers supply smaller turkeys; stores like Whole Foods may also have them. You can also find smaller-sized turkeys online at Williams Sonoma and Fossil Farms. Some might think a bigger turkey is tastier, but that’s not necessarily true.
Is a bigger Turkey tastier than a smaller one?
Some might think a bigger turkey is tastier, but that’s not necessarily true. A smaller turkey is easier to cook because it has less of a chance of getting dried out. While you may be accustomed to seeing a 20-pound turkey in the center of the dining room table, a smaller one ranges from about 5 to 10 pounds.