How Much Are Turkey Breasts? A Detailed Guide to Purchasing the Perfect Bird for Your Feast

Turkey is a quintessential part of many holiday meals and family gatherings. However, determining how much turkey to buy can be challenging. When calculating how much turkey breast to purchase per person, there are a few key factors to consider. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk through everything you need to know to buy the perfect turkey breast for your next festive feast!

Calculating Amount per Person

The basic guideline is to plan for 1/2 pound of boneless turkey breast per person For bone-in turkey breasts, plan for 1 pound per person to account for the inedible bone weight

Here are some turkey breast calculations for common party sizes:

• 4 guests: 2 pounds boneless or 4 pounds bone-in
• 8 guests: 4 pounds boneless or 8 pounds bone-in
• 10 guests: 5 pounds boneless or 10 pounds bone-in
• 16 guests: 8 pounds boneless or 16 pounds bone-in

When estimating, consider the appetites of your guests. If you have hearty eaters attending, increase the amount to 3/4 pound boneless or 1 1/4 pounds bone-in per person.

If you love leftovers, bump up the amounts to 1 pound boneless or 1 1/2 pounds bone-in per person

For children plan on 1/4 pound boneless or 1/2 pound bone-in per child under age 12.

Bone-In vs. Boneless Turkey Breasts

Bone-in turkey breasts include the weight of the bones, which are not edible. A boneless breast is just pure turkey meat.

Benefits of bone-in:

• Often cheaper cost per pound
• Retains moisture well during cooking
• Provides classic presentation with bones

Benefits of boneless:

• More meat per pound purchased
• Easy to carve and serve
• Shorter cooking time

No matter which you choose, allow 1 pound per person for boneless or 2 pounds per person for bone-in.

Other Turkey Options

Beyond whole turkey breasts, consider these options:

Turkey cutlets or tenderloins – Lean, tender cuts perfect for quick weeknight meals. Allow 4-6 ounces per person.

Ground turkey – An affordable and versatile option. Plan for 1/3 pound uncooked ground turkey per person.

Turkey sausage – Flavorful choice for breakfasts and appetizers. Allow 2-3 sausages per person.

Smoked turkey – Unique flavored meat, great for sandwiches. Allow 3-4 ounces per person.

Turkey pieces – Thighs, drumsticks, wings, etc. Plan based on recipe needs.

Where to Buy Turkey Breasts

Turkey breasts are available frozen or fresh year-round at most grocery stores. Stock is ample around the holidays.

Retail locations:

• Grocery store meat department
• Warehouse clubs like Costco or Sam’s Club
• Butcher shops or meat markets

Online options:

• Direct from turkey farms
• Mail order food retailers like Omaha Steaks
• Grocery delivery services like Instacart

Shop early as inventory tends to move quickly leading up to the holidays. Fresh turkeys should be purchased 1-2 days before cooking.

Prices per Pound

Turkey breast prices fluctuate throughout the year based on supply, demand and promotions. Here are some average per pound prices:

Boneless turkey breast:

• Regular price: $6 – $8 per pound
• Holiday price: $3 – $5 per pound

Bone-in turkey breast:

• Regular price: $2 – $4 per pound
• Holiday price: $1 – $2 per pound

Watch for specials like buy one get one free around Thanksgiving and Christmas. Stock up and freeze extras for later meals.

Storage and Thawing

Proper storage and thawing are key for food safety.

Store turkey breasts:

• Fresh: Refrigerate loosely wrapped up to 2 days
• Frozen: Keep frozen at 0°F or below up to 1 year

Thaw turkey breasts:

• Refrigerator: Allow 1 day per 4-5 pounds
• Cold water: Submerge sealed bag, change water every 30 mins, about 30 mins per pound
• Microwave: Check manufacturer instructions, approximately 6 mins per pound

Cook thawed turkey within 1-2 days. Do not refreeze thawed turkey.

Cooking Turkey Breasts

Turkey breasts can be prepared using a variety of cooking methods.

Oven roasting is the traditional approach. Roast at 325°F until the internal temperature reaches 165°F. Plan for approximately 15-20 minutes per pound.

Grilling over medium heat infuses delicious smoky flavor. Grill for about 8-10 minutes per side.

Smoking requires low, indirect heat for extended periods. Maintain a temperature between 225-275°F and smoke for roughly 30 minutes per pound.

Braising turkey breast in liquid builds tremendous flavor. Brown the meat first, then braise in stock at 325°F for up to 2 hours until fall-apart tender.

Sous vide cooking delivers incredibly juicy, tender turkey. Vacuum seal seasoned turkey and cook in a water bath at 146°F for 2-4 hours depending on thickness.

Carving and Serving

For impressive presentation, carve turkey tableside. First remove the entire breast half, then slice into pieces across the grain.

Aim for 4-6 ounces of turkey per person when serving. Offer both white and dark meat, if using a whole turkey breast.

Pair turkey with traditional side dishes like mashed potatoes, stuffing, cranberries, and vegetables. Add gravy, compound butter, or natural pan juices for extra moisture.

The Perfect Turkey Breast for Every Feast

From formal holiday meals to backyard barbecues, turkey breast is an extremely versatile meat. Use this guide to determine the ideal size, type, and cooking method to purchase and prepare turkey for any gathering. With the proper calculations and advanced planning, you can serve the perfect portion of delicious turkey breast to all your happy guests.