Buying turkey for Thanksgiving dinner is a big choice. Do you want a heritage bird or a classic grocery store bird-in-a-bag? Fresh or frozen? Whole or parts? And, arguably the most important consideration of all: Just how much turkey per person do you need?
To calculate how big your Thanksgiving turkey should be, you’ve got to figure out the number of guests you’re serving and how much turkey each might eat. After all, if you’re hosting Thanksgiving, it’s your mission to send everyone home as full of delicious food as possible.
Determining the Ideal Turkey Size for Your Holiday Feast
The centerpiece of many holiday meals is a juicy, golden brown turkey. But if you want to serve up the perfect bird, it’s crucial to understand how much a whole turkey weighs. Selecting the right size turkey for your gathering ensures you have enough meat without piles of leftovers. This guide covers everything you need to know about whole turkey weights.
Average Whole Turkey Weights
On average, whole turkeys available at the grocery store range from 10 to 24 pounds. However, there are some general guidelines for typical turkey sizes
- Small turkeys: 8-12 pounds
- Medium turkeys: 13-16 pounds
- Large turkeys: 17-24 pounds
The most common sizes for whole turkeys are between 16 and 20 pounds.
Hens vs. Toms Turkey Weight
There are two types of turkeys raised for meat – hens (females) and toms (males). On average:
- Hens weigh 8-16 pounds
- Toms weigh 16-24 pounds
Toms grow much larger than hens. A tom turkey can weigh over 40 pounds before processing. But hens reach market weight at around 16-17 pounds.
Turkey Weights for Small Gatherings
For a smaller gathering of 4-6 people, a whole turkey in the 8-12 pound range provides enough meat. You can estimate about 1-1.5 pounds per person for leftovers.
Turkey Weights for Large Gatherings
When cooking for a crowd of 12 or more, choose a large tom turkey weighing 20 pounds or more. This allows for generous portions and leftovers. Estimate 1-1.5 pounds per person.
Guidelines for a Family of 4
For a family of 4, select a small whole hen turkey weighing 10-14 pounds. This provides about 1 pound per person, with some leftovers. A 8-12 pound turkey also works for a family meal.
Getting Leftovers from a Small Turkey
Yes, you can get leftovers even from a smaller turkey! Choose a turkey that’s slightly bigger than you need. For example, get a 12-14 pound turkey instead of the 10-12 pounder needed to serve 4 people. The extra weight provides leftovers.
Impact of Prep Method on Weight
Wet or dry brining, seasoning injecting, stuffing, and trussing don’t significantly affect the turkey’s weight. The bird weighs the same pre-cooked regardless of prep method. Just account for extra stuffing ingredients.
Considering Bones in Turkey Weight
It’s important to consider the weight of bones when calculating how big a turkey you need. Whole turkeys contain a high ratio of bone to meat. For enough edible meat, allow for bone weight in your size estimate.
How Weight Affects Cooking Time
Yes, larger turkeys require longer cooking. The general rule is to roast approximately 15-20 minutes per pound at 325°F. A 20 lb turkey takes 5 hours at 20 minutes per lb. A 12 lb turkey takes 3 hours at 15 minutes per lb.
Health Concerns with Turkey Size
There are no health risks associated with turkey size. Only food safety issues with undercooked meat apply. Be sure to cook stuffing to 165°F and meat to minimum safe temperatures.
Buying Fresh vs. Frozen Turkey
You can buy either fresh or frozen whole turkeys. Make sure frozen turkeys are completely thawed before cooking. Fresh turkeys offer superior flavor and texture but have a shorter shelf life.
Thawing a Frozen Turkey
Allow 24 hours of thawing for every 4-5 pounds of turkey weight. Thaw frozen turkeys in the fridge in a pan to catch drips. For example, a 15 lb turkey takes 3-4 days to thaw. Do not thaw at room temperature.
Benefits of a Larger Turkey
Larger turkeys provide more meat for a crowd along with ample leftovers. The bones can be used to make stock. And you get more servings from the work of roasting one large bird versus multiple small ones.
Calculating Turkey Cooking Time
Use this simple formula:
Total Turkey Weight X Minutes per Pound = Total Cooking Time
For example:
15 lb turkey x 20 minutes per lb = 300 minutes (5 hours) at 325°F
Always confirm doneness by thermometer, not just time. Check the thigh at 175°F and breast at 165°F.
Key Takeaways on Whole Turkey Weights
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Whole turkeys range from 8-24 pounds, with 16-20 pounds most common
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Hens weigh 8-16 lbs and toms 16-24 lbs
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Allow 1-1.5 lbs per person, more for leftovers
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Larger birds need longer cooking times
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Weigh your gathering size and appetite for leftovers
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Thaw frozen turkeys completely before roasting
Choose the ideal turkey size for your holiday meal, and you’ll enjoy perfect portions along with delicious leftovers. A properly-sized whole turkey is the first step towards a spectacular feast!
How many pounds of turkey per person do I actually need?
The general rule of thumb is 1–1½ pounds turkey per person. If that seems like a lot, remember that a whole turkey comes with a lot of parts that don’t end up getting eaten. “When you buy a whole turkey, a lot of it is bone,” says recipe developer (and former BA staffer) Jessie YuChen. The smaller the bird, the higher that percentage may be. For smaller gatherings, Jessie recommends scaling up to 2 pounds per person to maximize leftovers (more on that later). “For four to six people, 11 to 13 pounds is a good range,” Jessie says. (Most of our recipes call for a 12-to-14-pound bird.)
Beyond the bones, the total mass of a whole bird accounts for cartilage and less favorable cuts of meat around the shoulders, neck, and back that are better suited for making stock the next day than for presenting on a platter. Just because you’re buying a pound per each guest doesn’t mean it’ll yield an equivalent amount of turkey meat.
What if I’m afraid of underserving my guests?
“Most people put out so many sides that running out of turkey really isn’t an issue,” says contributing editor Amiel Stanek. “Turkey is, in my experience, the thing people want least.” As a host, you can even take some of your attention away from a cartoonishly large Rockwellian bird and think deeply about the Thanksgiving side dishes. This is where you can customize your selection based on the size, tastes, and needs of your crowd. Serving a few extra vegetarians this year? Go all-in on mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, and roasted veggies (we recommend balsamic-roasted brussels sprouts, which are a test kitchen favorite).
Want to show off your baking skills? Make a big tray of showstopping stuffing biscuits. And, of course, you’ve got to have cranberry sauce—either homemade or canned, that’s your prerogative.
If you’re wondering, How big of a turkey do I need, really?, Amiel points out that the bigger the turkey, the less likely it is to cook evenly. He would much rather serve smallish portions of perfect poultry than massive servings that are half-raw, half-dry. “In terms of ensuring that the breast meat is delicious and moist and the dark meat is cooked through, I think you’re going to get the best results from a 14-to-15-pound turkey, max.”
Turkey size per person
Our advice: Go for a smaller turkey. We promise, there’ll be enough to go around.
If a 15-pound bird sounds teeny compared to your guest list, Amiel and Jessie recommend supplementing with a different meat or protein (no matter your party’s size). “I like to do steak or lamb chops,” says Jessie, “which are very festive and a lot easier to prepare than a whole turkey.” Having a second meat on the table provides a backup if your bird is on the scrawny side, but it also makes your turkey stretch further. Aim for 1–1½ total pounds of protein per person, including your supplementary main, and you’ll have nothing to worry about.
If you’re hosting a smaller gathering, another option is to forgo the roast turkey entirely in favor of a smaller bird—roast chicken or glazed duck make just as nice a centerpiece.
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FAQ
Is a 20 lb turkey enough for 10 people?
How much meat do you get off of a 14 lb turkey?
How many people will a 16 lb turkey feed?
Is a 15 pound turkey big?
How much does a turkey weigh?
However, it’s always advisable to refer to a reliable recipe or cooking chart to ensure the turkey is cooked to perfection. In conclusion, the weight of a whole turkey typically ranges between 10 and 24 pounds (4.5 to 11 kg). Determining the perfect turkey size for your gathering is crucial to ensure everyone can savor this traditional centerpiece.
How much does a turkey weigh in a store?
When a turkey is slaughtered and prepared for sale, parts of the turkey are removed. This is why the live weights are so much higher than the average weight in the store. A turkey which was 41 lbs at slaughter, will be about 24 lbs. in the store. This means a turkey in the store is about 10-15 lbs. less of its live weight.
How much does a commercial turkey weigh?
The average weight of a commercial turkey flock is 20lbs. Smaller-scale domestic turkeys are produced locally in the United States. These tend to be a bit smaller than commercially raised turkeys. This includes types of wild turkey or organically raised on small farm fields. These fresh turkeys are lean and produced without additives.
How much does a heritage breed turkey weigh?
On average, heritage breed turkeys weigh between 8 to 16 pounds, making them a suitable choice for smaller gatherings. 6. Can I request a specific weight when purchasing a turkey?