PrintFirst Thanksgiving problem: How much turkey do I need?
It's the first time I've planned and cooked a Thanksgiving dinner myself, and I have NO idea of how big of a turkey to get. I've got 10 people coming, and I'm planning to deep fry the turkey. Will a 12lb bird be enough? Should I get two smaller birds? I want to ensure sufficient leftovers, of course. Soups and moles are in the game plan. Help!
Add a comment:
Previewing your comment:
HTML Hints
Some HTML is OK: <a href="URL">link</a>, <strong>strong</strong>, <em>em</em>
Comment Guidelines
Post whatever you want, just keep it seriously about eats, seriously. We reserve the right to delete off-topic or inflammatory comments. Learn more at our Comment Policy page.
If you see something not so nice, please, report an inappropriate comment.
Start Talking!
Need a question answered? Have advice to share? Start a Talk topic now!
Sign up to get your questions answered and share advice.
8 Comments:
I get 1 pound per person then add some for leftovers.
I would do a 12-14 if you are ok with turkey leftovers and a 16-18 if you love them.
JerzeeTomato at 7:07PM on 11/15/07
While I don't use Butterball turkeys, their website provides the equation and much more:
http://www.butterball.com/en/main_canvas.jsp?includePage=first_timers.jsp&t=First%20Timers&s0=plan_n_prep&s1=first
I don't know if the link will work, but you can google butterball and navigate through.
zapatista at 10:12PM on 11/15/07
I just read in one of the magazines, you need to figure 1 and 1/2 lbs. per person. That does allow for some leftover.
Mich23 at 7:59AM on 11/16/07
The common formula is 1 lb. per guest - which I find funny because you mostly hear about how people like the side dishes!
chiff0nade at 9:02AM on 11/16/07
I think 1 lb. per guest is plenty and allows for leftovers, and we are big eaters at my place. Also, if you know you want a certain type of meat for leftovers (extra white or dark meat), buy an extra breast or leg, and roast it along with your whole turkey.
CookiePie at 9:07AM on 11/16/07
1.5 lbs per person. I would go with 2 smaller turkeys rather than a big one.
nelson5757 at 9:53AM on 11/16/07
I usually go with 1 1/2 lbs per person. This allows for them to eat big, big, big if they so choose and to also take home a little doggie/leftover bag with turkey, stuffing, potatoes, etc. Because really, what's Thanksgiving without leftovers?
rockykay at 3:36PM on 11/16/07
Well, frankly, if you have a freezer, you might do what we do. Our household of two always buys a 20-pounder. We may have from 2 to 8 guests. Leftovers never go to waste; we slice and cube what we haven't eaten in a day and a half and freeze it in small batches. It never goes to waste, but we adore the stuff I make from it. But if there's 10 people at the table, I do a LOT more sides, of course. Too much is better than too little, and turkey is so darn cheap this time of the year, why worry?
lemons at 9:28AM on 11/17/07