Gobbling Up the Stats: How Many American Homes Feast on Turkey for Thanksgiving?

Thanksgiving just wouldn’t feel like Thanksgiving without a golden roasted turkey as the centerpiece of the holiday feast. But in an age of diverse diets and food preferences, is this iconic bird still appearing on as many tables as you might think? In this comprehensive article, we’ll dig into the data to find out just how many American homes continue the long-standing tradition of gobbling up turkey on Thanksgiving Day.

Turkey Remains the Undisputed King of Thanksgiving

Despite rising interest in ham, roast beef, and plant-based main dishes, survey results indicate that turkey is still the unambiguous favorite when it comes to Thanksgiving entrees According to the National Turkey Federation, approximately 88% of Americans chow down on turkey during Thanksgiving festivities.

With the U.S. population over 330 million, that translates to over 46 million turkeys consumed on the fourth Thursday of November. So while alternatives are growing in popularity, the numbers don’t lie – turkey is still the go-to centerpiece for the vast majority of American Thanksgiving feasts.

Regional Preferences Lead to Some Variation

Though turkey dominates most Thanksgiving menus across the United States, consumption patterns do fluctuate by region. Usage tends to be highest along the East Coast and in parts of the Midwest – areas where historical Thanksgiving traditions have been more deeply ingrained since the era of the first Thanksgiving feast.

According to Google Trends data the states with the highest search interest for Thanksgiving turkey are West Virginia Washington D.C., Kentucky, South Carolina, and Tennessee. Conversely, the West Coast and Southwest regions show less affinity for turkey during the holidays. Differing regional cuisine styles and increased ethnic diversity are likely contributors in these areas.

Per Capita Consumption Is Staggering

The sheer volume of turkeys consumed during the Thanksgiving holiday is staggering. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, over 46 million turkeys are eaten on Thanksgiving alone. With approximately 115 million Americans partaking in turkey that day, that equates to nearly 1 pound of turkey per person.

And that figure is actually doubled when you factor in all the leftover turkey that gets incorporated into sandwiches, soups, and casseroles in the days following Thanksgiving!

Household Size Impacts Portion Needs

To estimate how much turkey is needed, an important factor is the number of guests being served. Recommended sizing for a whole turkey is generally:

• 12-15 pounds for 4 to 8 guests
• 15-18 pounds for 10 to 15 guests
• 20-24 pounds for 16 to 20 guests

Of course, the precise amount depends on the age and appetites of those around your Thanksgiving table. But you can safely estimate around 1 to 1.5 pounds of turkey per person if you’re feeding a hungry crowd.

Prices Fluctuate Year to Year

As demand skyrockets around Thanksgiving, so do turkey prices at the grocery store. Some years see more significant hikes depending on factors like shortages or production challenges. Here are the average per-pound costs over recent years:

• 2022 – $1.63 per pound
• 2021 – $1.36 per pound
• 2020 – $1.04 per pound

For 2023 turkey prices are forecast to decrease slightly but will remain above pre-pandemic levels, likely ranging from $1.30 to $1.40 per pound.

Alternatives Are Gaining Traction

Though turkey still dominates most Thanksgiving feasts, side dishes and alternative mains are increasingly reflective of America’s diverse culinary tastes. A growing number of households are incorporating ham, roast beef, or plant-based and vegetarian options.

However, with 88% of Americans still chowing down on turkey this Thanksgiving, it’s clear this iconic holiday bird will be gracing our tables for decades to come. The enduring tradition of gathering with friends and family around a bountiful turkey dinner continues to tie us to the cherished Thanksgiving celebrations of the past.

A Timeline of the Turkey’s Storied Thanksgiving History

While turkey is now a staple of the traditional Thanksgiving spread, its prominence was cemented relatively recently in the scope of the holiday’s 400-year history:

• Early 1600s – Turkeys were abundant in the wild when the Pilgrims arrived in the New World, but historical records make no specific mention of them being served at the first Thanksgiving feast in 1621.

• 1700s – By the late 18th century, turkey was being widely consumed by American colonists, especially for special occasions and holidays. Domesticated turkeys began replacing wild ones.

• 1820s – New England writer Sarah Josepha Hale started linking turkey to Thanksgiving in her novels and editorials, promoting the bird as the centerpiece of the meal.

• 1863 – When President Lincoln declared Thanksgiving a national holiday, Hale’s visions of turkey feasts spread nationwide.

• 1920s – Advances in commercial turkey farming helped drive down costs, making turkey more accessible for Thanksgiving.

• 1970s – The famous Turkey Day NFL football games further boosted turkey’s visibility on Thanksgiving.

• Today – Turkey remains the undisputed centerpiece protein of modern Thanksgiving feasts. Americans now consume over 46 million turkeys each Thanksgiving.

So while not historically linked to that very first Thanksgiving meal, the turkey has certainly earned its status as the iconic focal point of our present-day holiday spreads.

Gobble Up Some Fun Turkey Thanksgiving Facts:

• Approximately 675 million pounds of turkey are eaten on Thanksgiving – that’s over 210 million kg!

• Turkey production sees a 15% increase from August to November to meet Thanksgiving demand.

• The average purchase price per pound for Thanksgiving turkeys is around $1.40.

• 91% of Americans surveyed eat leftovers after their Thanksgiving meal. Turkey sandwiches for days!

• The record for the world’s largest roasted turkey was set in 1989 at 39.09 kg, or 86 lb 3 oz. That’s a lot of leftovers!

• Frozen turkeys are now more popular than fresh, comprising over 75% of Thanksgiving bird purchases.

• The annual turkey pardon by the U.S. President at the White House has occurred since 1947.

• Californians consume the most turkey per capita for Thanksgiving, followed by Texas, New York, and Florida.

• Thursday Thanksgiving dates back to Lincoln, but FDR moved it a week earlier in 1939 to lengthen the holiday shopping season.

So there you have it, a deep dive into the prominence of turkey on American Thanksgiving tables! From its history to consumer statistics to fun facts, turkey clearly emerges as the undisputed Thanksgiving feast champion for most American homes and families. Although alternatives are growing, this iconic bird remains a closely cherished tradition for Americans gathering to give thanks and fill up their plates. Here’s to many more years of delicious turkey-centered Thanksgiving feasts to come!