As the leaves turn golden and the air grows crisp, thoughts inevitably turn to that most American of holidays: Thanksgiving. And at the heart of this celebration? The turkey, of course! But how much turkey should you really prepare per person? Let’s carve into this question and serve up some answers.
The Golden Rule: 1 to 1.5 Pounds Per Person
Generally speaking, you should aim for 1 to 1.5 pounds of turkey per person. This might sound like a lot, but remember:
- This is the weight before cooking
- It includes bones and giblets
- It accounts for shrinkage during cooking
But as with all rules, there are exceptions…
Adjusting for Your Guest List
From my experience hosting Thanksgivings with a varied guest list (much like yours!), here are some factors to consider:
- Age Range: With guests of varied ages, you might want to skew towards the lower end (1 pound per person) for a group with many children, or the higher end (1.5 pounds per person) for an adult-heavy crowd.
- Dietary Mix: You mentioned a mix of diets. For vegetarians or vegans, you’ll obviously need less turkey. But for the meat-eaters, you might want to increase the portion slightly to make up for the non-turkey eaters.
The Leftover Factor
Ah, leftovers – the gift that keeps on giving! You mentioned wanting a few servings of leftovers. In this case, I’d recommend adding an extra 0.5 to 1 pound per person to your calculations. Trust me, you won’t regret it when you’re enjoying a turkey sandwich the next day!
Cooking Method Matters
You’re planning on roasting your turkey – excellent choice! Roasting is a classic method that tends to retain moisture well. However, it can lead to some shrinkage. To account for this, lean towards the higher end of the recommended range (1.5 pounds per person).
The Turkey Calculator
To make your life easier, here’s a quick reference guide:
| Number of Guests | Turkey Size (with some leftovers) |
| 4-6 | 10-12 pounds |
| 8-10 | 14-16 pounds |
| 12-14 | 18-20 pounds |
| 16-18 | 22-24 pounds |
Remember, Thanksgiving is about abundance and gratitude. It’s better to have a little too much than not enough. And if you end up with extra? Well, that’s what turkey soup is for!
Happy Thanksgiving, and may your turkey be perfectly portioned!
