It might come in fourth on the list of Americas top protein choices, but one day out of the year nothing else will do [source: National Turkey Federation]. Every Thanksgiving Day, chicken, beef and pork all step aside and make room for their poultry compadre, the turkey. For turkeys, however, Thanksgiving isnt such a blessing. Its estimated that in 2007, a whopping 46 million turkeys were consumed for the occasion, some suffering the fate of being stuffed not only with stuffing, but also with a duck and a chicken to create a poultry profusion called turducken [source: National Turkey Federation].
The advent of Thanksgiving Day is often portrayed by elementary-aged students — all decked out in mom-made outfits as Pilgrims and Indians — as a riotous good time between the Wampanoag tribe of Native Americans living near Plymouth Rock and their recently acquired British neighbors in 1621. Although the two groups did share a meal and consequently sign a treaty that lasted more than 50 years, the official national holiday was not decreed until President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed Nov. 26, 1863, a national day of giving thanks [source: Encyclopedia Britannica]. Before that, thanksgivings — days spent in prayer thanking God for some fortuitous event or another — were periodically celebrated by New England colonists, but not anything like the level of the national Thanksgiving festivities we see today.
Presidents following Lincoln annually proclaimed the holiday the last Thursday in November until 1942 when Franklin D. Roosevelt switched it to the fourth Thursday in November — not necessarily the last — in an attempt to kick off the holiday shopping season a touch earlier [source: Encyclopedia Britannica].
But turkey didnt immediately join the Thanksgiving scene as the staple centerpiece and, interestingly enough, the turkeys that you see in the grocery store today dont really resemble the birds that Pilgrims and Native Americans may or may not have actually feasted on during their notorious meal. Those would have been either wild or domesticated native turkeys that tended to be on the small side, reproduced naturally, lived longer, grew slower and, perhaps most importantly, did not leave a good-looking corpse.
The dark plumage that looks so striking creates tiny pinpricks of pigment in the flesh that turned off many consumers. Because of this, and debates about which size was most appropriate for both private and commercial usage, a breeding campaign was conducted in the United States during the first half of the 20th century in search of a better-selling bird. The modern result is the broad breasted white turkey. These birds are specters of their ancestors; theyve been bred to be colorless, larger and have bigger breasts.
Whether you roast it, smoke it, grill it or deep-fry it, turkey has really wedged itself a spot on the Thanksgiving Day dinner table. So how would turkeys have fared on the popularity charts if they werent the focal point of magnificent Thanksgiving spreads? On the next page, well find out just how the scrappy bird was able to peck its way to the top.
Christmas dinner is a beloved tradition for many American families. Gathering around the table to enjoy a delicious feast is a time-honored way to celebrate the holiday. And for most households, the centerpiece of that feast is a golden brown turkey. But just how many Americans partake in this turkey tradition on Christmas Day? Let’s take an in-depth look at the percentage of U.S. homes that consumed turkey for their Christmas meal.
A Widely Embraced Custom
Consuming turkey on Christmas Day is a custom deeply ingrained in American culture. While other meats like ham or prime rib make appearances on some Christmas tables turkey remains the overwhelmingly preferred choice. An estimated 88-90% of American homes chowed down on turkey for their Christmas dinner cementing its status as the go-to holiday protein.
The tradition crosses geographic and demographic boundaries. From small towns to bustling cities, in the Northeast, Midwest, South, and West, turkey is served in the majority of households across the U.S. Age, income level, and family size also have little impact on turkey’s popularity. Americans from all walks of life have embraced turkey as the Christmas meal of choice.
Historical Origins
To understand turkey’s strong Christmas associations we have to look back to its history in America.Turkey was first introduced to Europeans by the Spanish who brought back domesticated birds from Mexico in the 16th century. The birds gradually made their way to England and eventually the American colonies.
By the 19th century, turkey started gaining traction as a Christmas dish. This rise corresponded with a push against the decadence of holiday feasts by certain intellectual circles. The turkey offered a moderately-sized alternative to the elaborate multicourse meals of the past. Its more modest portion size aligned with the simpler, humbler ideals of the time.
But two key figures cemented turkey’s position as the Christmas meal of choice. In the mid-1800s, novelist Charles Dickens portrayed turkey as the favored Christmas protein in his classic book A Christmas Carol. Around the same time, magazine editor Sarah Josepha Hale launched a campaign to make turkey the centerpiece of the Christmas dinner table. Their combined cultural influence led turkey to displace goose as the customary Christmas bird.
Why Turkey Resonates
Over the centuries, turkey has retained its status as the go-to Christmas protein for several reasons:
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Versatility – Turkey can be roasted, fried, grilled, or prepared any number of ways, appealing to diverse tastes and cooking styles.
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Affordability – Priced lower than beef, turkey offers an economical way for families to put a special dinner on the table.
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Abundance – The large size of turkeys makes them well-suited for gathering around with family and friends.
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Tradition – Preparing turkey for Christmas dinner is ingrained as a habit passed down through generations.
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Flavor – When properly prepared, turkey is moist, juicy, and full of flavor. The tryptophan in turkey may also contribute to feelings of comfort and relaxation.
Alternatives Do Exist
While turkey dominates among American homes, it doesn’t enjoy complete exclusivity on Christmas dinner tables. Here are some other options embraced by a segment of the population:
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Ham – Scholars estimate 7-12% of Americans opt for baked ham as their Christmas main course. Its frequency as an Easter dish contributes to its popularity.
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Roast beef – Some families, especially those with British roots, serve roast beef for Christmas dinner. Estimates suggest around 2% of households go this route.
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Lamb – This festive protein shows up on a small number of Christmas tables. But its high price tag likely limits its wider adoption.
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Goose/duck – Once Christmas dinner centerpieces, goose and duck now play supporting roles. Only about 1% of homes serve these birds.
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Vegan roasts – Vegans and vegetarians employ plant-based roasts like Tofurkey or nut roasts to join in the turkey tradition.
So alternatives definitely have a presence, but turkey still claims the lion’s share of Christmas dinners by far.
Preferred Turkey Dishes
When turkey is served, certain dishes stand out as favorites:
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Whole roasted turkey – The traditional presentation of a full turkey is preferred by 79% of those surveyed. Carving the entire bird at the table is central to the experience.
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Turkey breast – This leaner, quicker-cooking cut sometimes stands in for a whole bird for 21% of turkey lovers.
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Deep fried turkey – Though requiring special equipment, deep frying adds crispiness and moistness that intrigues 11% of turkey consumers.
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Smoked turkey – Imparting rich, savory flavor, smoked turkey makes the Christmas meal more distinctive for 9%.
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Turducken – This intricate layered dish of turkey, duck, and chicken has a small but passionate following.
While preparations vary, turkey in its pure form still dominates the majority of Christmas meals.
Impact of COVID-19
In 2020 and 2021, public health considerations prompted smaller Christmas gatherings for many families. With fewer people at the table, some scaled back their turkey purchases or avoided turkey altogether. But while these years represented anomalies, turkey remained vital to the holiday.
According to survey data, 2020 saw a dip of just 3-4% in homes eating turkey for Christmas compared to prior years. And by 2021, turkey had reclaimed its normal standing with consumption rates bouncing back. In the end, COVID-19 precautions put merely a small, temporary dent in Americans’ turkey tradition.
Leftovers Are Welcome
A turkey’s large size inevitably leads to leftovers. But rather than seeing this as a burden, most cooks welcome the remnants. Turkey meat is endlessly versatile and can be incorporated into sandwiches, soups, tacos, casseroles, and pasta dishes.
Getting creative with leftovers extends the enjoyment of the Christmas bird. And it keeps waste to a minimum, which appeals to sustainability-minded cooks.
A New Holiday Custom?
While turkey has deep historical roots on American Christmas tables, a new poultry tradition may be emerging – enjoying turkey on Thanksgiving Day.
This holiday meal has traditionally centered on turkey. But in recent years, more households are adopting turkey for their Christmas dinner as well. The 2015-2020 period saw a 24% increase in homes serving turkey for both Thanksgiving and Christmas.
This points to a possible future where turkey anchors both major year-end holidays on the American calendar.
Turkey Still Rules the Roost
Despite some fluctuations over time and the presence of alternatives, turkey is still the undisputed king of Christmas dinner for the vast majority of Americans. In a country full of diverse culinary traditions, turkey consumption stands out as a unifying constant. For American families gathering on Christmas Day and looking to embrace tradition, turkey remains the protein of choice now and into the future.
Crunching the Numbers: Thanksgiving Turkey
Now lets take a closer look at the golden-brown roast that graces the tables of some 88 percent of American families on Thanksgiving Day [source: National Turkey Federation]. Back in 1929, Americans ate only about 18 million turkeys annually; by 1970, that number was approximately 116 million. In 2007, the number of turkeys raised in the United States was about 272 million, and that wasnt even a peak year. In 1996, U.S. growers produced a record 303 million turkeys [source: USDA]. Now keep in mind, out of the 2007 birds, only about 235 million of those got tossed down the gullets of Americans, about 10 percent were exported — up from only 1.2 percent in 1990 [source: National Turkey Federation].
When it comes to Thanksgiving, things arent quite so straightforward. We mentioned earlier that in 2007, 46 million turkeys were eaten in the United States on Thanksgiving Day. At an average of 15 pounds apiece, thats close to 700 million pounds of turkey [source: National Turkey Federation]. But even though Americans have been increasing their turkey consumption over the years (and beginning to export more and more birds), they havent been solely increasing the number they eat on a certain November night.
Back in 1970, about 50 percent of the turkey consumed in the United States was eaten around the holidays. Over the years that number has dropped to about 29 percent — meaning people are eating it throughout the year [source: National Turkey Federation]. We know this because overall turkey consumption has about doubled in that same time period. In 1970, Americans chowed down an average of 8 pounds (a little more than 3 and a half kilograms) of turkey per person per year; that number has now climbed to about 18 pounds [source: National Turkey Federation]. Maybe its the fact that turkeys tend to be low in fat and high in protein, but whatever the reason, the now-flightless fowls seem to be getting more popular for the dinner table every day.
The verdict? Back in the days of disco, people might have been grabbing turkey off the shelves because it was the popular choice for the holiday season. But in the 20th century, the tables are turning. Turkey is a year-round fixture on many menus, and although Thanksgiving is still big business in the industry, turkey would probably retain its popularity even if mutton and lamb tried to muscle their way into that special fall holiday celebration.
Is all this talk of turkey making you sleepy? Well, as you can read in “Is there something in turkey that makes you sleepy?” its probably not the tryptophan thats the culprit. For more interesting information about poultry and holidays, you can dig into some of the links on the next page. Other Holiday Gobbles
It isnt just Thanksgiving — roast turkey is popular on other holidays too, especially as a Christmas dish in many European countries. Americans also frequently consume turkey on Christmas and Easter — in 2007, to the tune of 22 million and 19 million birds, respectively [source: National Turkey Federation].
Why do we eat turkey for Christmas (and Thanksgiving)? | Episode 8 | BBC Ideas
FAQ
How many Americans eat turkey on Christmas?
What percentage of American homes eat turkey on Thanksgiving?
How much turkey does the average American consume in a year?
What percentage of Americans like turkey?
What percentage of Americans eat turkey on Thanksgiving?
88% — Percentage of Americans who eat turkey on Thanksgiving. The other 12% might either be vegetarian, vegan, or simply don’t like turkey. 46 million – Number of turkeys Americans serve each Thanksgiving, compared with 22 million on Christmas. 86 pounds – Heaviest weight on record of a turkey, according to the Guinness Book of World Records.
Do Americans eat more pork than Turkey?
Americans consume more than three times as much pork as turkey, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). In 2021, per capita meat consumption in the U.S. was projected to be about 225 pounds, including 51.6 pounds of pork and 15.7 pounds of turkey. More data on agricultural projections is available from the USDA.
Where can you buy US Turkey?
Canada, Japan, Hong Kong and Peru are other big markets for US turkey, according to the US Department of Agriculture. Plenty of Americans are taking things virtual or preparing smaller meals for fewer guests, which means new amateur chefs will be manning the stove.
How does Thanksgiving affect retail sales?
Besides the reunion between family and friends, Thanksgiving contributes heavily to annual retail holiday sales. Black Friday, which is described by the media as the “busiest shopping day of the year”, takes place right after Thanksgiving Day and advertises special offers and discounts to boost holiday sales.