All the little things we do to raise happy and healthy turkeys adds up to a superior product, the smartest choice for those who care about the food they feed their families. Perdue’s PREMIUM whole turkeys are:
The centerpiece of any Thanksgiving meal is obviously the turkey. But figuring out exactly how big your turkey should be can be tricky. You want to make sure you have enough so that everyone gets plenty to eat, but you also don’t want to end up with a ridiculous amount of expensive leftover meat.
To make sure your holiday bird is just the right size, there are a few things you need to take into consideration:
How Many People Are You Serving?
The most important factor in determining turkey size is how many people you need to feed Here are some general guidelines based on guest count
- 4-6 people – 4 to 6 lb turkey
- 6-8 people – 6 to 9 lb turkey
- 8-10 people – 8 to 12 lb turkey
- 10-12 people – 10 to 15 lb turkey
- 12-14 people – 12 to 18 lb turkey
For anything over 12-14 people, you may want to consider getting two smaller turkeys rather than one huge one It will cook more evenly.
Allow 1-1.5 lbs Per Person
The general recommendation is to allow for 1 to 1.5 pounds of turkey meat per person. Since a whole turkey contains bones and cartilage that you don’t eat, this ensures enough edible meat for each guest.
For smaller gatherings under 12 people, allow for up to 2 lbs per person since smaller birds have a lower meat-to-bone ratio.
Factor In Leftovers
If you want plenty of leftover turkey for sandwiches, casseroles, soups etc, increase the amount to 1.5 to 2 lbs per person. Leftovers are one of the best parts of Thanksgiving after all!
Adults vs. Kids
When calculating how much turkey you need, keep in mind that children will eat significantly less than adults. A good rule of thumb is to allot 1 lb per adult and 1/2 lb per child.
If you know you have some big eaters attending (whether adults or kids), you may want to boost the amount a bit. It’s better to have too much than not enough.
Other Main Dishes
Even if you are serving a sizeable turkey, it’s smart to also include a ham or other main meat dish. This provides more options for guests and allows the turkey to go farther.
Aim for 1-1.5 lbs total meat per person when factoring in all mains.
Turkey Breast vs Whole Bird
Turkey breasts are a great option for smaller gatherings of less than 8 people. They cook more evenly than a whole bird and give you just the white meat. Allow around 1-1.5 lbs per person for bone-in turkey breasts.
For whole birds, small turkeys less than 12 lbs should have about 2 lbs allotted per person. The range of 1-1.5 lbs per person is best for medium to large birds over 12 lbs.
Thawing and Cooking Time
Be sure to check the thawing time if your turkey is frozen. You typically need 24 hours for every 4-5 lbs of turkey weight. So a 15 lb turkey would need 60-75 hours (2.5 to 3 days) in the fridge.
And don’t forget to factor in cooking time! Whole turkeys need about 15 minutes per pound in a 325°F oven. A 12 lb turkey would take about 3 hours. For stuffed birds, allow closer to 18 minutes per pound.
Other Tips for Turkey Success
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If over 15 lbs, consider oven-roasting just the breast and slow-cooking the legs separately for maximum moisture and flavor.
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Opt for a free-range, organic, heritage breed turkey for the best flavor. The difference is noticeable!
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Dry brine the turkey in the fridge for 12-24 hours before roasting for incredibly moist, seasoned meat.
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Roast your turkey breast-side down for the first half of cooking to self-baste the breast meat.
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Let the turkey rest at room temperature for 30 minutes before carving to allow juices to reabsorb.
Finding the perfect turkey size for your Thanksgiving gathering is all about knowing your guest count, preparing with some simple calculations, and adding in a little buffer for extra portions and leftovers. With the guidelines above, you’ll be ready to shop for and cook a turkey with confidence!
- https://www.inchcalculator.com/turkey-size-calculator/: 3
- https://www.omnicalculator.com/food/turkey-size: 2
- https://www.bonappetit.com/story/how-much-turkey-per-person?srsltid=AfmBOooaadKgKzfZ2Cp5Jq3GA2YBPH_b0Cph75MMhFhWVQhFo_Ibj2w1: 1
Entities:
- lb: 19
- person: 16
- turkey: 48
- Thanksgiving: 4
- leftovers: 5
- adults: 7
- kids: 6
- breast: 5
- whole bird: 3
- frozen: 2
- thawing: 2
- cooking: 3
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)
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.
What Size Turkey To Buy – Ace Hardware
FAQ
How many will a 14 lb turkey feed?
So if you’re wondering “How many people does a 14-pound turkey feed?”, the answer is about 9 guests. *If you can’t find a bird that small, you can get a slightly larger bird that will allow for more leftovers, or choose to cook a turkey breast instead of a whole turkey for a smaller group.
Is a 15 lb turkey enough for 10 people?
“So, for 10 people you should prepare a 20-pound turkey.Nov 12, 2024
How many adults will a 20 lb turkey feed?
A 20-pound turkey will feed between 12 and 14 people.
How do you calculate Turkey size?
turkey size = people × amount per person Start by multiplying the number of adults times 1 (or 1.5 if you want leftovers). Then multiply the number of children by .5. Finally, add the two numbers together. If the result is less than 12 pounds, then multiply by 1.5 since there will be a little less meat.
How much should a turkey weigh per person?
If there are 12 people on your guest list, look for a whole turkey that weighs somewhere in the 18-pound range. The “1-1/2 pound per person” guideline isn’t a strict rule. As we pointed out, it’s a generous estimate, used because we prefer to plan on leftovers. There are other factors that can affect your estimate as well.
How big should a Turkey be for 15 guests?
To feed 15 guests, a turkey weighing between 15-18 pounds (6.8-8.2 kg) is recommended. 3. Can I buy a smaller turkey if I don’t want leftovers? Yes, if you do not desire leftovers, you can opt for a smaller turkey. Aim for around 0.75 pounds (0.34 kg) per person or adjust accordingly. 4. I want to have leftovers. How big of a turkey should I buy?
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 Turkey should I buy per person?
Calculate about 1 pound of boneless, skinless breast meat per person. Benefits of buying a whole turkey: Reasons to consider just breasts: No matter which you choose, estimate 1-1.5 pounds per adult guest as a starting point. Should I Buy Fresh or Frozen? Both fresh and frozen turkey have pros and cons: Fresh turkey benefits:
How many people can a 10 pound turkey serve?
The size of your turkey should be based on the number of guests you are serving and whether you want leftovers. A general rule of thumb is to estimate about 1 pound (0.45 kg) of turkey per person. 1. How many people will a 10-pound (4.5 kg) turkey serve? A 10-pound turkey will typically serve around 8-10 people, depending on their appetites. 2.