Thanksgiving is just around the corner, and Americans are already preparing for elaborate dinners with family and friends.
Americans love Thanksgiving, and we show it by piling our plates high with turkey, stuffing, sweet potatoes, pumpkin pie, and other holiday staples. Theres a reason why its most Americans second favorite holiday, according to The Harris Poll, trailing only Christmas.
Here are seven unbelievable facts about what we eat on Thanksgiving to keep in mind as you go back for seconds.
Thanksgiving is right around the corner, which means millions of Americans are prepping for the big meal The centerpiece of most Thanksgiving feasts is a juicy roasted turkey But have you ever wondered just how much turkey is consumed on this food-focused holiday? The numbers are pretty mind-blowing!
Nearly 50 Million Turkeys Devoured Each Year
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, approximately 46 million whole turkeys are eaten every Thanksgiving. To put that into perspective, that’s enough to feed the entire populations of Spain, Colombia, or South Korea with plenty of leftovers!
With over 300 million people living in the United States, that works out to about one whole turkey consumed for every 6-7 people celebrating on Thanksgiving Day. Even accounting for vegetarians and folks who opt for non-turkey main courses, that’s still a massive amount of birds being cooked up each year.
20% of Annual U.S. Turkey Production Eaten in 1 Day
Those 46 million Thanksgiving turkeys represent around 20% of the 224 million turkeys produced annually nationwide. Turkey farms and processing plants have to go into overdrive in October and November to meet the huge spike in demand for fresh and frozen birds.
Turkey producers start planning their flocks and production cycles well in advance to ensure they can supply everyone roasting a bird for their Thanksgiving feast. It takes a lot of coordination to harvest process package, and distribute so many turkeys so they are ready in time for the big day.
The Average Thanksgiving Turkey Weights 30 Pounds
While the frozen turkeys you buy at the grocery store typically range from 8 to 24 pounds, the average commercially-raised bird purchased for Thanksgiving is a little over 30 pounds, according to stats from the National Turkey Federation.
So those 46 million turkeys eaten on Thanksgiving clock in around 14 billion pounds of total turkey meat That’s over 3 pounds of turkey per person who sits down for a Thanksgiving meal,
4 Pounds of Turkey Consumed Per Person
The National Turkey Federation estimates that 88% of Americans chow down on turkey for their Thanksgiving dinner. With around 257 million people in the U.S., that’s about 226 million turkey-eating people on Thanksgiving Day.
When you divide the total pounds of turkey by the number of turkey-eaters nationwide, it comes out to over 4 pounds of turkey meat consumed per person on average on the holiday. Obviously consumption varies widely based on the number of guests and appetites. But any way you slice it, Americans eat a whole lot of turkey on Thanksgiving!
3,000 to 4,500 Calories in the Average Thanksgiving Feast
All that turkey combined with heaping portions of stuffing, mashed potatoes, veggies, cranberry sauce, gravy, rolls, and pie makes for a massive calorie load. The typical Thanksgiving meal clocks in at 3,000 to 4,500 calories per person. That’s equivalent to around 2-3 days worth of calories in one sitting!
Just a single plate containing a serving of turkey, stuffing, potatoes, veggies, and pie would require around an 8 mile walk to burn off. With portions this size, no wonder many folks need to loosen their belts after Thanksgiving dinner!
80 Million Pounds of Cranberry Sauce
While turkey may take center stage on the Thanksgiving table, you can’t forget the cranberry sauce. Approximately 80 million pounds of cranberries are consumed during the Thanksgiving period, according to Ocean Spray. Much of this is in the form of jellied cranberry sauce.
Over 5 million gallons of jiggly canned cranberry sauce are sold each Thanksgiving season – that’s enough to fill nearly 8 Olympic sized swimming pools! Whether you love it or hate it, cranberry sauce is clearly a huge part of the Turkey Day menu for millions of Americans.
Don’t Forget the Potatoes and Pie!
You can’t have turkey without plenty of side dishes and desserts. Approximately 50 million pounds of mashed potatoes and 214 million pounds of sweet potatoes are prepared to accompany the main course.
And what Thanksgiving meal is complete without pie? Around 37 million store-bought pumpkin, apple, pecan, and other fruit pies are sold leading up to the big feast.
Thanksgiving by the Numbers
When you break down the staggering numbers, it’s easy to see why Thanksgiving has a reputation for gluttonous feasting. Americans go all out with holiday preparations to enjoy this beloved family tradition.
So as you prepare your own Thanksgiving meal, keep in mind all the turkeys, cranberries, potatoes, stuffing, veggies, pies and other trimmings being dished out across the nation. Even if you keep your portions modest, you’ll be joining 46 million other households giving thanks and breaking bread on Thanksgiving Day!
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Around 46 million turkeys are eaten around Thanksgiving, according to the US Poultry and Egg Association. That’s around as many turkeys as the entire population of Spain.
American ate approximately 219 million turkeys in 2011, according to the association, so those 46 million turkeys represent around a fifth of all turkeys eaten for the entire year.
The average commercial turkey sold in grocery stores weighs just over 30 pounds, according to the Wall Street Journal. That means Americans are eating nearly 1.4 billion pounds of turkey during the holiday.
Shoppers purchase nearly 214 million pounds of potatoes and 50 million pounds of sweet potatoes from US supermarkets in the weeks before Thanksgiving, according to the National Grocers Association.
For comparison, 214 million pounds is slightly heavier than the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier, which clocks in around 204 million pounds, according to 24/7 Wall Street. Though potatoes are slightly less seaworthy.
That 214 million also doesnt include the 3 million pounds of prepared mashed potatoes purchased during this time.
Why Do We Eat Turkey During the Holidays?
FAQ
How many turkeys are consumed on Thanksgiving Day?
Videos by VICE. Thanks to the US Department of Agriculture’s legion of turkey-counting nerds and statisticians, we know that an estimated 46 million turkeys are eaten every year during Thanksgiving meals.
How much turkey is wasted during Thanksgiving?
Every year, during Thanksgiving week, Americans throw out 200 million pounds of turkey.Nov 13, 2024
How much turkey does the average American consume in a year?
This statistic shows the per capita consumption of turkeys in the United States from 2015 to 2023, with a projection until 2034. The consumption of turkeys in the U.S. amounted to 14.8 pounds per capita in 2023.
Which US state consumes the most turkey on Thanksgiving?
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ConsumptionCalifornia consumes the most turkey per person on Thanksgiving because it’s the most populated state in the U.S.
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ProductionMinnesota produces the most turkeys, followed by North Carolina, Arkansas, Indiana, and Missouri. These five states produced more than 60% of all turkeys in the country in 2023.
How much Turkey do Americans eat on Thanksgiving?
That means Americans are eating nearly 1.4 billion pounds of turkey during the holiday. Americans consume between 2,500 and 4,500 calories at the Thanksgiving table. That’s the equivalent of eating between four and eight Big Macs in a single sitting.
How much does a Thanksgiving turkey weigh?
Americans gobble up 46 million turkeys at Thanksgiving. That works out to almost 3 pounds of poultry per person who partakes in the feast, according to statistics from the National Turkey Federation. At an average weight of 16 pounds apiece, last year’s Thanksgiving turkeys weighed 736 million pounds altogether.
How much does a Thanksgiving turkey cost?
At an average weight of 16 pounds apiece, last year’s Thanksgiving turkeys weighed 736 million pounds altogether. And at an average cost of $1.19 per pound, Americans spent $875 million buying those birds for the big day.
How much Turkey should a Thanksgiving party eat?
How Much Turkey Per Person. The general rule is to plan for 1 1/2 pounds of turkey per guest. If you’re buying boneless meat, assume about 8 ounces per guest. To buy the right size turkey for your party, simply tally up the turkey-eating guests. Which state consumes the most turkeys on Thanksgiving Day?
How many turkeys do we eat a year?
All that may sound like a lot, but as it turns out, we’re a turkey-loving nation the rest of the year, too. More than 226 million turkeys were consumed in the United States in 2010; the 46 million Thanksgiving birds represent just one-fifth of that total. We also ate 22 million at Christmas and 19 million at Easter.
Which state eats the most Turkey on Thanksgiving?
The state of California consumes the most turkey. Approximately 46 million turkeys are eaten on Thanksgiving every year. How many turkeys are eaten on Thanksgiving?