As Thanksgiving approaches, many Americans are starting to think about that centerpiece of the Thanksgiving meal – the turkey! Buying a turkey is one of the biggest expenses for the holiday, so it’s understandable that people want to get a good deal. But with so many options available, how do you know how much a turkey should cost? In this article, we’ll break down the average cost of turkeys from different sources so you can make an informed purchase.
The Average Cost of a Turkey
On average, Americans can expect to pay $31.16 for a 15-pound turkey this year — an average of $208 per pound. However, the exact price can vary quite a bit depending on the size, brand, and source of the turkey Here’s a more detailed look at turkey prices from major retailers
-
Supermarkets: Fresh supermarket turkeys tend to range from $1.29-$2.99 per pound depending on size. So a 15 lb turkey would cost $19.35-$44.85 at the grocery store.
-
Walmart: Frozen turkeys at Walmart are 88¢ per pound. So a 15 lb turkey would be about $13.20. Fresh turkeys are $1.94 per pound, so a 15 lb fresh turkey is $29.10.
-
Local Farms Smaller local farms that raise turkeys often charge a premium – sometimes over $4 per pound A 15 lb turkey could cost $60 or more,
-
Mail Order: Mail order turkey farms like Greenberg Smoked Turkey can charge $3-$4 per pound. A 15 lb turkey would be $45-$60.
-
Wholesale Clubs: Club stores like Costco, Sam’s Club, and BJ’s often sell large frozen turkeys for around $1 per pound, so a 15 lb turkey may cost $15.
As you can see, frozen turkeys from big box stores tend to be the most budget friendly options. Fresh turkeys from supermarkets or local farms come at a higher per-pound cost. And mail order turkeys are usually the priciest.
Factors That Affect Turkey Prices
Several factors impact the price of a turkey each year, including:
-
Size Smaller turkeys (under 16 lbs) cost more per pound since there is more prep work relative to meat Larger turkeys are more cost efficient
-
Brand: Premium turkey brands like Butterball, Jennie-O, and Honeysuckle White cost more than generic store brands.
-
Fresh vs. Frozen: Fresh turkeys are more expensive because they have a shorter shelf life and higher prep costs. Frozen turkeys can be stored for longer.
-
Organic/Free-Range vs. Conventional: Organic and free-range turkeys that are ethically raised cost more to produce, driving up the price.
-
Whole vs. Parts: Buying a whole turkey is cheaper than buying just breast meat or other parts. The convenience costs more.
-
Live vs. Pre-Stuffed: Pre-stuffed turkeys cost more due to the added labor and ingredients.
-
Supply and Demand: Turkey prices fluctuate based on the supply of turkeys relative to the demand around Thanksgiving. When supply is lower, prices tend to rise.
How Many People Will a Turkey Feed?
The number of people that a turkey will feed depends on the size of the bird and how generous you want your portions to be. Here are some general turkey serving size guidelines:
- 8-12 pounds: feeds 4-6 people
- 12-16 pounds: feeds 6-8 people
- 16-20 pounds: feeds 8-10 people
- 20-24 pounds: feeds 10-12 people
In general, plan for about 1-1.5 pounds of turkey per person if you want ample leftovers, or 0.75 pounds per person for just the initial meal. An average 15 pound turkey will feed around 10 people with modest portions.
Should I Buy Multiple Small Turkeys or One Large Turkey?
This comes down to personal preference, oven space, and number of guests. Advantages of multiple small turkeys:
- Cook faster than one large turkey
- More evenly cook since heat can penetrate easier
- Provides variety (mix of white and dark meat)
- Allows testing different recipes or prep methods
- Easier to store leftovers
A large single turkey works better for big gatherings and large families where oven space isn’t an issue. The choice depends on your specific Thanksgiving plans.
What’s the Best Deal on a Turkey?
To get the best bang for your buck, go for a store brand frozen turkey at a wholesale club or big box retailer like Walmart. You can often find turkeys under $1 per pound if you buy large birds and shop early. Check ads for turkey sales running up to Thanksgiving.
Another money-saving tip is to buy a whole turkey rather than just breasts or other parts. You can break down and freeze the parts you don’t need immediately after carving the bird.
Should I Order a Fresh or Frozen Turkey?
Most experts recommend buying frozen turkeys well in advance since they store longer. As Thanksgiving approaches, grocers shift their inventory towards more expensive fresh turkeys.
However, some cooks prefer the taste of fresh, never-frozen birds. If this is important to you, shop early while stores still have fresh stock and be prepared to pay a premium. Fresh turkeys only last 2 days in the fridge so you need to buy one within 48 hours of cooking.
No matter which type of turkey you buy, make sure to budget accordingly and factor in the cost per pound. With some savvy shopping and price comparisons, you can find a great deal on a turkey this Thanksgiving!
How much I spent in 2 weeks travelling TURKEY // BUDGET Backpacking
FAQ
How much does a turkey usually cost?
How much is a turkey per person?
How much does a 13lbs turkey cost?
|
Turkey Size
|
How many does it feed?
|
Turkey Price
|
|
11 lb.
|
22 to 33
|
$74.50
|
|
12 lb.
|
24 to 36
|
$80.75
|
|
13 lb.
|
26 to 39
|
$87.25
|
|
14 lb.
|
28 to 42
|
$93.75
|
How much is turkey expensive?
How much Turkey should a 10 pound turkey eat?
The end goal is 1/2 a pound of turkey per adult and 1/3 of a pound per child at the dinner table. So if you’re serving a holiday dinner of 10 adults, you need five pounds of cooked turkey in total. We know we’re going to lose roughly 50% of the weight of a whole bird through cooking and the bones. So you’ll want a 10-pound turkey.
How much should a turkey weigh?
For eight guests, buy a turkey that weighs about 12 pounds. For 10 guests, you want a bird that is at least 15 pounds. If you know right off the bat whether your guests prefer white meat or dark meat, then you can opt to roast bone-in breasts for white meat, turkey legs for dark meat, or a mixture of both.
How much weight does a pound of Turkey lose?
That equals one pound of raw, uncooked turkey per adult and 2/3rds of a pound per child. Turkey shrinkage is real. Just like most cuts of meat, turkey is going to lose roughly 50% of the weight through the cooking process (and slicing meat off the bone).
Should I get more than one Turkey for a Thanksgiving meal?
If the result is larger than 15 or 20 pounds, then consider getting more than one turkey for the meal. For example, let’s calculate the right amount of turkey for 10 adults and 8 children. Don’t forget to allow time for safe thawing and proper cooking time to ensure a holiday bird that’s tender, juicy, and delicious year after year.
How many pound turkeys should a 20 year old eat?
Try spatchcocking. A spatchcock turkey will cut the cooking time in half. Another option: cook two smaller turkeys instead. If you’re feeding a crowd of 20, shoot for two 12- to 14-pound turkeys. You could even try different seasoning methods on each and let your guests decide which one they like better.