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Come Thanksgiving, we all look forward to that juicy, golden brown turkey taking center stage on the table But when it comes to buying one, it can be tricky to know how much an average turkey actually weighs. This is key for getting the right size bird to feed your hungry guests
In this comprehensive guide we’ll break down the typical weight ranges for various turkey types. We’ll also look at how factors like sex, age and breed impact pounds. Let’s dig in to the sizes of America’s favorite festive fowl.
Average Weights of Common Turkey Varieties
There are a few main categories of turkeys, each with their own average weight range:
Commercial Turkeys
The supermarket variety bred for breast meat and size.
- Toms (males): 20-30 lbs
- Hens (females): 10-16 lbs
Average: Toms 24 lbs, Hens 12 lbs
Heritage Turkeys
Rare, old-fashioned breeds with more flavor and balanced body shape.
- Toms: 18-25 lbs
- Hens: 8-14 lbs
Average: Toms 22 lbs, Hens 12 lbs
Wild Turkeys
Lean, muscular birds that live outdoors and have an intense, gamey taste.
- Toms: 16-20 lbs
- Toms: 8-12 lbs
Average: Toms 18 lbs, Hens 10 lbs
So you can see even within the same category, weights can vary significantly based on sex. Next let’s look at age.
Turkey Weights and Age
Younger juvenile turkeys are much smaller than their full grown adult counterparts.
Juvenile Turkey Weight
- Young toms: 8-18 lbs
- Young hens: 4-10 lbs
Average: Young toms 13 lbs, hens 7 lbs
Adult Turkey Weight
- Adult toms: 16-30 lbs
- Adult hens: 8-16 lbs
Average: Adult toms 24 lbs, hens 12 lbs
Turkeys reach adult size after about 7-8 months. Younger birds are usually harvested between 4-6 months when they are still considered juveniles.
What Impacts Turkey Weight?
Many factors influence the pounds on a turkey:
- Sex – Toms much larger than hens
- Age – Adults heavier than juveniles
- Type – Commercial largest, wild smallest
- Diet – Well-fed turkeys grow bigger
- Health – Illness can stunt growth
- Genetics – Some breeds larger than others
So asking “how much does a turkey weigh” has no fixed answer. But we can look at typical averages.
What Size Turkey Do You Need?
Most recommendations for turkey sizes are based on having around 1 pound of turkey per person:
- 8-12 lbs: Feeds 6-8 people
- 12-16 lbs: Feeds 8-12 people
- 16-20 lbs: Feeds 10-15 people
- 20-24 lbs: Feeds 15-18 people
Buy slightly larger if you want ample leftovers. And account for extra sides and stuffing when choosing the weight if cooking a whole turkey.
Tips for Picking the Right Size
When shopping, keep these turkey tips in mind:
- Choose fresh not frozen if cooking within 2 days
- Make sure your oven and roaster can fit the size
- Allow 1 day thaw time per 4-5 lbs of frozen turkey
- Get extra breasts if you need more white meat
- Factor in guest appetites and portion sizes
Weighing a Turkey at Home
If you want to find the exact weight, use a kitchen scale:
- Place a baking sheet or plate on the scale and press zero
- Remove packaging and set turkey on the plate
- Wait for the weight to stabilize
- Note pounds for cooking time estimates
- Clean scale after to avoid cross-contamination
So now you’re a pro at how much an average turkey weighs! Follow this handy guide when shopping and you’ll pick the perfect size bird for your gathering every time.
Delivered to your door!
Tis the ultimate question come the holiday season. Here, we share our suggestions for turkey size per number of guests, based on both servings with no leftovers and with leftovers taken into account.
46 MILLION turkeys are eaten each Thanksgiving
3 lbs. turkey breast (1 lb. cooked turkey)
6 to 7 lbs. turkey breast (2 lbs. cooked turkey)
5 lbs. turkey breast (1 1/2 lbs. cooked turkey)
10-lb. whole turkey (3 lbs. cooked turkey)
6 to 7 lbs. turkey breast (2 lbs. cooked turkey)
13-lb. whole turkey (4 lbs. cooked turkey)
8 lbs. turkey breast (2 1/2 lbs. cooked turkey)
16- to 17-lb. whole turkey (5 lbs. cooked turkey)
10-lb. whole turkey (3 lbs. cooked turkey)
20-lb. whole turkey (6 lbs. cooked turkey)
11- to 12-lb. whole turkey (3 1/2 lbs. cooked turkey)
Two 12-lb. whole turkeys (7 lbs. cooked turkey)
13-lb. whole turkey (4 lbs. cooked turkey)
Two 14-lb. whole turkeys (8 lbs. cooked turkey)
15-lb. whole turkey (4 1/2 lbs. cooked turkey)
Two 15-lb. whole turkeys (9 lbs. cooked turkey)
16- to 17-lb. whole turkey (5 lbs. cooked turkey)
Two 17-lb. whole turkeys (10 lbs. cooked turkey)
20-lb. whole turkey (6 lbs. cooked turkey)
Two 20-lb. whole turkeys (12 lbs. cooked turkey)
20-lb. whole turkey plus 6 to 7 lbs. turkey breast (7 1/2 lbs. cooked turkey)
Two 20-lb. whole turkeys plus 10 lbs. turkey breast (15 lbs. cooked turkey)
HOW MUCH A TURKEY WEIGH??
FAQ
How much does an average Thanksgiving turkey weigh?
The average Thanksgiving turkey for an American family typically weighs between 12 to 24 pounds. The size can vary based on the number of people being served and individual preferences. Smaller turkeys are suitable for smaller gatherings, while larger ones are chosen for more extensive feasts.
How many people will a 20 pound turkey feed?
- Some chefs recommend budgeting 2 lbs of turkey per person.
- Home cooks can expect to yield about 40% of a cooked turkey.
- The yield will decrease even further depending on whether guests prefer white or dark meat.
- If you know that most of your guests prefer white meat, you can buy separate breasts and legs and roast them separately.
- If you’re serving a large group, you can consider buying a couple of smaller turkeys.
Is a 14 lb turkey big?
A huge wild turkey is upwards of 30 pounds. Domestic turkeys get bigger and fatter and can reach upwards of 60–80 pounds. Not many people need a turkey that big for thanksgiving so the larger ones get processed into deli meats or turkey burger etc. Most thanksgiving turkeys range from 12–20 pounds.
How much does a full grown wild turkey weigh?
Description. An adult male (tom or gobbler) normally weighs from 5 to 11 kg (11 to 24 lb) and measures 100–125 cm (39–49 in) in length. The adult female (hen) is typically much smaller at 2.5–5.4 kg (5.5–11.9 lb) and is 76 to 95 cm (30 to 37 in) long.
How big do turkeys get?
Their size undergoes a fascinating metamorphosis, mirroring the changing seasons and consumer demands. During the colder months, from January to May, turkey producers focus on raising large turkeys, ideal for processing into various cuts of meat. These behemoths reach an average live weight of a whopping 41 pounds!
How much does a turkey weigh in a store?
When a turkey is slaughtered and prepared for sale, parts of the turkey are removed. This is why the live weights are so much higher than the average weight in the store. A turkey which was 41 lbs at slaughter, will be about 24 lbs. in the store. This means a turkey in the store is about 10-15 lbs. less of its live weight.
How much does a butchered turkey weigh?
On average, a butchered turkey typically weighs between 10 to 25 pounds (4.5 to 11 kg). It is essential to know the weight of a turkey before cooking it to ensure proper cooking time and temperature. Now let’s address some frequently asked questions about turkey weight. 1. What is the average weight for a turkey?
How much does a Thanksgiving turkey weigh?
The average Thanksgiving turkey for an American family typically weighs between 12 to 24 pounds. The size can vary based on the number of people being served and individual preferences. Smaller turkeys are suitable for smaller gatherings, while larger ones are chosen for more extensive feasts. How many pounds is a full size turkey?
How much does a hen turkey weigh?
Fun Fact: Whole hen turkeys typically weight 8-16 pounds, whereas toms weigh in at 16-24 pounds. Specialty Bird? If you’re seeking out a specialty bird – such as a USDA certified organic turkey, or one raised without the use of antibiotics – you’ll find those are usually smaller.
How much does a turkey breast weigh?
Jumbo frozen young turkeys are over 30 pounds. Turkey Breasts: Vary from around 3 to 8 pounds typically. Allow for smaller guest lists or meal leftovers. Here is more detail on the typical weight ranges for some of Butterball’s most popular whole turkey and turkey breast options: