Thanksgiving is a time for gathering with family and friends around a hearty turkey dinner But if you’re only cooking for a small group, a huge 20-pound bird can feel like overkill The good news is that you have options when it comes to small turkeys. This article will cover everything you need to know about buying and cooking a petite turkey.
How Small Can You Go?
You’ll find that most “small turkeys” range in size from 10 to 12 pounds, although you may be able to find them as small as 6 pounds The Butterball brand offers turkeys under the “Lil Butterball” label that are 10 to 16 pounds.
So how much turkey will you need if you’re feeding just a handful of people? Here’s a rough estimate:
- 4 people: 5 pounds
- 6 people: 8 pounds
- 8 people: 10 pounds
As a general rule of thumb, plan on about 1 pound of turkey per person, give or take a little. If you have some hearty appetites at the table, go slightly higher. And if your group is filled with those who prefer sides over turkey, err on the lower end.
Try a Turkey Breast
Another option for small gatherings is to forget the whole bird and just buy a turkey breast, This is essentially the white meat-only portion of the turkey, Turkey breasts generally range from 3 to 6 pounds
Going this route eliminates having to deal with the trickier-to-cook dark meat, and it cooks faster too. The downside is you miss out on those flavorful turkey drippings for gravy.
Where to Shop for a Small Turkey
Here are some tips on where to find petite turkeys:
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Local grocery stores: Call ahead to see what sizes your grocery store stocks. Many will carry birds as small as 10 pounds.
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Specialty markets: Stores like Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods sometimes have small turkeys, even as petite as 6 pounds.
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Butchers: Ask your local butcher in advance if they can special order a small turkey for you. This ensures you get exactly the size you want.
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Mail order: Check sites like D’Artagnan for organic and free-range small turkeys shipped right to your door.
How Long Does a Small Turkey Take to Cook?
A small turkey cooks faster than a large one. The general rule of thumb is to allot 15-20 minutes of cooking time per pound. Here are some time estimates based on size:
- 6-8 lb. turkey: 1 1⁄2 to 2 hours
- 10-12 lb. turkey: 2 1⁄2 to 3 hours
- 14-16 lb. turkey: 3 1⁄2 to 4 hours
As always, be sure to use a meat thermometer to verify the turkey has reached an internal temperature of 165°F in the thickest part of the breast and thigh before removing it from the oven. Let it rest for 15-20 minutes before carving.
Handy Tips for Roasting a Small Turkey
Cooking a petite turkey is mostly straightforward, but here are some useful tips:
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No need to stuff it: Because the bird is small, it’s not necessary to stuff it which can make cooking more difficult.
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Use a small roasting pan: Choose a pan just large enough to hold the turkey to promote even cooking.
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Reduce oven temperature: Cook at 325°F rather than the typical 350°F to prevent the exterior from overcooking before the inside is done.
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Tent with foil: Tenting the turkey with foil halfway through prevents the breast meat from drying out.
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Make turkey stock: Simmer the carcass to make turkey broth for soups, gravy and more.
Enjoy Your Perfectly Petite Turkey Dinner
When it comes to Thanksgiving turkeys, smaller can sometimes be better. A small turkey is easier to handle, cooks more quickly, and provides the perfect amount of meat for a small gathering. With a little advance planning, you can find and roast the ideal little bird for your holiday table.
Family Recipe: Simple Rub
Rub the exterior of turkey with a blend of your favorite herbs and spices or with a paste made of the following ingredients:
4 Tbsp oil, (melted butter, margarine, olive oil, etc.) 4 tsp. salt, or to taste 2 tsp. paprika
Place the turkey in an open roasting pan, breast side up. Cover the bottom of the pan with approximately 2 cups water or broth. Place your beautiful turkey in the oven.
Use a 325º F oven. We would encourage you to check the internal temperature throughout the roasting time to be careful not to over-roast. The internal temperature typically increases more rapidly during the last half of roasting.
There is no need to turn the bird while roasting as it will brown to a rich, golden color. A foil tent can be placed loosely over the turkey during the last hour of roasting to prevent over browning. For truly marvelous gravy, heat (do not boil) 1 cup white wine. Pour this over your turkey halfway through the roasting time. When the turkey reaches the desired internal temperature, remove from the oven. Cover and let stand for at least 15 minute before carving.
You drive, we’ll navigate
We’ve got good news, and we’ve got bad news. The good news is that you’ve set your sights on a tender, juicy, mouthwatering meat monument that’s absolutely deserving of every ounce of that intense desire that’s burning in your gut. The bad news that this product can’t be shipped and can only be bought in-store. (And if you think about it, that’s actually good news, too—it means you’ll probably get to enjoy it a lot sooner than your postman could get it to you.)
Click here to find Diestel Family Ranch turkey and other products near you, and be sure to call your local store for availability—not everybody carries every product.
| Weight | Roasting Time |
| 6-10lbs. | approx. 2 hrs. |
| 10-12 lbs. | 2 – 2 3/4 hrs |
| 12-14 lbs. | 2 3/4 – 3 1/2 hrs. |
| 14-16 lbs. | 3 1/2 – 3 3/4 hrs. |
| 16-18 lbs. | 3 3/4 – 4 hrs. |
| 18-20 lbs. | 4 – 4 1/2 hrs. |
That suggested roasting times may vary. If the turkey is unstuffed, decrease the roasting times listed above by approximately 30 minutes.
To remove the truss just lift the ring and pull it up and over the end of the drumstick. To secure the truss, hold the drumsticks together, lift the ring and pull it over the drumsticks. The nylon truss is oven and microwave safe and can withstand oven temperatures of up to 450º F.
Preheat oven to 325º F. Remove soft oven ready turkey from the bag. After removing the neck and giblets from the body cavities rinse the bird with cold water. Pat turkey dry with a paper towel. If you choose to stuff your bird this would be the time to do so.
What Size Turkey To Buy – Ace Hardware
FAQ
What is a petite turkey?
Can you buy an 8 pound turkey?
What is the minimum turkey size?
Can you buy 1/2 turkey?
What is the smallest turkey?
Six pounds is about the smallest turkey you’ll find, she said. Those will be hens, which typically weigh eight to 10 pounds. “It’s like a big chicken,” Lafferty said. And “it’s definitely not meant for a crowd.” A possible drawback to such a small bird is that there’s not a lot of breast meat.
Where can I buy a small turkey breast?
As we mentioned, Kroger grocery stores should stock a range of smaller turkeys, even some as small as five pounds. Trader Joe’s may have turkeys as small as 12 pounds; they also sell cooked, brined turkey breasts. Whole Foods also sells a bone-in turkey breast that weighs about six pounds.
Can you buy a small Turkey at Kroger?
Also, you’ll have less turkey to enjoy in leftovers. How small of a turkey can you buy? Frankly, even a small turkey is fairly sizable; it’s never going to be like cooking a Cornish game hen. Most “small” turkeys range from 10 to 12 pounds, though you may be able to find one smaller. Kroger grocery store even carries a five-pound bird.
How much does a whole turkey cost?
If you know where to look, you can buy whole turkeys that weigh as little as six pounds. Springfield Farm in Sparks, Md. (Baltimore County), has several right now. They are pasture-raised heritage Narragansetts and cost $9 a pound. “We typically sell out, but we do have a few left,” Valerie Lafferty, a co-owner of the farm, told me yesterday.