The United States is commonly associated with Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving is a national holiday that is designed to celebrate the union of Native Americans with European settlers. Therefore, the vast majority of families in the United States eat turkey on Thanksgiving. In fact, approximately seven out of eight families in the United States consume turkey on Thanksgiving Day. On the other hand, the US is not the country where each person eats the most turkeys each year. That belongs to Israel, where an even greater percentage of the population consumes turkey every year. There are plenty of other countries that consume turkey regularly as well.
Across the United States turkey enjoys immense popularity especially during major holidays like Thanksgiving. However, when it comes to per capita turkey consumption, one state emerges as the top consumer – Minnesota. This article explores the factors that contribute to Minnesota’s leading turkey consumption, and how other states compare.
Minnesota’s Voracious Appetite for Turkey
With its strong ties to turkey production the Midwest state of Minnesota consumes the most turkey per person in the country. According to the USDA the annual per capita consumption of turkey in Minnesota is 16 pounds. This outstrips the national average of 15 pounds per person.
Several reasons account for Minnesota’s first place ranking:
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Robust turkey farming – Minnesota leads the U.S. in turkey production, raising over 40 million birds annually. This ready availability makes turkey more affordable and popular.
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Cultural traditions – Community turkey dinners and church potlucks are common year-round, not just holidays. Minnesotans have a culture around turkey meals.
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Thanksgiving – Minnesotan families pull out all the stops for massive Thanksgiving feasts starring turkey as the main attraction.
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Pro sports teams – The Vikings and Twins hold turkey giveaways during games, highlighting its status.
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Freezing winters – Hearty, warming turkey dishes appeal during Minnesota’s frigid winters.
Other Notable States for Turkey Consumption
While Minnesota occupies the top position for per capita turkey consumption, other states also show a robust appetite for this versatile meat:
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California – The state ranks high in overall turkey consumption thanks to its huge population. However, per person consumption may be slightly lower than Minnesota.
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North Carolina – As the second largest turkey producing state, North Carolinians have ready access to fresh turkey year-round.
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Arkansas – Arkansans might say turkeys are “squawking good” in this major turkey farming state. Consumption is high.
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Texas – Everything’s bigger in Texas, including its appetite for turkey fed by its sprawling population. Per capita consumption trails Minnesota though.
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Missouri – Missouri cracks the top five states for turkey production, contributing to its high consumption rates.
When Turkey Consumption Peaks
While turkey enjoys year-round popularity, consumption spikes during certain holidays and events:
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Thanksgiving – No surprise here, this is when turkey consumption soars to its yearly peak, as families dig into roast turkey feasts.
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Christmas – Many opt for elegant baked or fried turkey as the centerpiece of Christmas dinner.
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Super Bowl – Fans feast on turkey wings, sandwiches, chili and other game day favorites.
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Easter – Some choose juicy turkey over ham or lamb for the holiday table.
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College football – Tailgaters turn out turkey legs and sandwiches on Saturdays in the fall.
Minnesota: Turkey Capital of the USA
With its broad appetite for this versatile poultry, Minnesota has certainly earned its title as the top turkey consuming state in the nation. Robust production, cultural traditions, holidays and events all contribute to Minnesota’s leading per capita turkey consumption. But other states also exhibit a strong hankering for turkey in its many delicious forms. Across the U.S., turkey enjoys a robust following, especially when families gather around the table for cherished celebrations and traditions.
FAQ
Q: Which state consumes the most turkey per capita in the United States?
A: Minnesota consumes the most turkey per capita, with annual consumption around 16 pounds per person. This is higher than the overall U.S. average of 15 pounds per capita.
Q: Why does Minnesota lead in per capita turkey consumption?
A: Minnesota’s high turkey consumption is driven by its thriving turkey farming industry, cultural traditions like community turkey dinners, feast-centric holidays, and demand during freezing winters.
Q: Which states follow Minnesota in turkey consumption per person?
A: After Minnesota, other top states for turkey consumption per capita include California, North Carolina, Arkansas, Texas and Missouri. But no state tops Minnesota.
Q: When is turkey consumption highest in the U.S.?
A: Turkey consumption peaks during holidays like Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter, and events like Super Bowl Sunday and college football games.
Q: How does turkey production tie to consumption rates?
A: Major turkey producing states often show higher turkey consumption rates thanks to local availability and cultural traditions.
Is Turkey a Dry Meat?
Yes, turkey is considered to be relatively dry meat. If someone just put a turkey in the oven, it would be pretty dry. That is why a lot of people use recipes that can make the meat a bit juicier. For instance, some people choose to stuff their turkey with different things that will make the meat a little more moist. A lot of people also choose to put gravy on their turkey to make the meat less dry. There are a lot of ways to improve the taste of turkey meat, and a lot of them add more water to the meat.
How Long Do You Cook a Turkey?
The exact time a turkey needs to be cooked depends on how big it is and how hot the oven is. A lot of people choose to set the oven to 325 or 350 degrees Fahrenheit. After that, if the turkey is between 8 and 12 pounds, it needs to be cooked for about 2 hours and 45 minutes to 3 hours. If the turkey is between 12 and 14 pounds, on the other hand, it will need to be cooked for 3 hours to 3 hours and 45 minutes. You might need to leave the turkey in the oven longer if you decide to stuff it with other things other than turkey.
What 5 states eat the most turkeys?
FAQ
Which US state consumes most turkey?
Do Californians eat the most turkey in the United States?
What are the top 3 states for turkeys?
Where is turkey eaten the most?
Which state eats the most Turkey?
Turkey is a Thanksgiving staple in the United States. Minnesota is the state that raises the most turkeys, and Turkey consumption is growing in the US.
Which states produce the most Turkey?
According to USDA, the top turkey producing states are Minnesota, North Carolina, Arkansas, Indiana, Missouri, Virginia, Iowa and California. The U.S. turkey industry currently exports more than 10 percent of its products, and trade remains a market segment with growth potential for the industry.
How much do turkeys eat per capita?
This statistic shows the per capita consumption of turkeys in the United States from 2015 to 2021 with a projection until 2032. The consumption of turkeys in the U.S. amounted to 15.3 pounds per capita in 2021. Get notified via email when this statistic is updated. Retail weight. * Figures from 2022 to 2032 are projected as of October 2022.
Which country eats the most turkey meat?
With nearly X thousand tons, the United States became the world’s leading turkey meat consuming country, mixed up X% of global consumption. The other major consumers were Germany (X thousand tons) and Brazil (X thousand tons), with a share of X% and X%, respectively.
Which state raises the most turkeys?
Turkey farming is an activity embraced by many poultry farmers found all over the country. Arkansas, Minnesota, and California are among the major turkey-producing states in the country. Which US State Raises the Most Turkeys? Minnesota is the number-one state in rearing turkeys in the United States.
How many turkeys are reared in Minnesota?
Minnesota is the number-one state in rearing turkeys in the United States. There are an estimated 44 million turkeys reared around the state. Turkey farming in Minnesota is a family tradition which transcends several generations. There are about 450 families in the state which are involved in turkey rearing.