
What size Turkey should I buy?
One of the most frequently asked questions is what size turkey to buy. The rule of thumb is 1 1/2 pounds of turkey per person with leftovers and 1 pound of turkey per person without leftovers. If your guest list includes a lot of kids, lean towards a smaller size turkey.
How many pounds of Turkey do you need for Thanksgiving dinner?
If you want leftovers ― or have big eaters coming to your house this year ― plan 1 1/2 to 2 pounds per person. Stick with that, and your Thanksgiving is off on the right foot. Read the infographic for more information on how to roast a turkey ― and then check out the recipes below.
Is there enough Turkey for everyone at the table?
When turkey is the centerpiece of your Thanksgiving feast, you want there to be enough for everyone at the table — and then some. Read on for a handy turkey serving chart as well as other buying tips. Here are some of the key questions you'll want to ask yourself before you buy a Thanksgiving turkey so you'll make the right decisions:
Should I buy a fresh turkey or a frozen turkey?
Buying a fresh turkey or a frozen one depends on your time, preference, and resources: A fresh turkey usually costs more but doesn't need thawing. Some find fresh turkeys more flavorful than frozen.

Do you add stock to turkey?
Add about a half-inch of liquid (water or stock) to the roasting pan. This will keep the oven moist, and the turkey juicy. This aromatic liquid can be used to baste the turkey while it cooks (there is a debate whether basting does anything, but it's part of the tradition).
How many will a 10 pound turkey feed?
What Size Turkey Should you Buy?PeopleTurkey Size44-6 lbs66-9 lbs88-12 lbs1010-15 lbs7 more rows
How many pound turkey should you plan to buy?
1 1/2 poundsSo you don't want to skimp and leave yourself without feast fixings for the coming days. The general rule is to plan for 1 1/2 pounds per guest. To buy the right size turkey for your party, simply tally up the turkey-eating guests. Add a few pounds on for bones and you've got your turkey weight.
When should I buy a 10lb turkey?
Here's the main rule of thumb for thawing your turkey: Allow at least 24 hours of thawing for every 5 pounds of turkey. So for a 12-pound turkey that would imply at least three days of thawing, ideally with a bonus day thrown in.
How long does it take to cook a 10 pound turkey?
How Long to Cook Your Turkey10-pound turkey: about 2 hours 10 minutes.12-pound turkey: about 2 hours 36 minutes.14-pound turkey: about 3 hours 2 minutes.16-pound turkey: about 3 hours 28 minutes.18-pound turkey: about 3 hours 54 minutes.20-pound turkey: about 4 hours 20 minutes.
How many people will a 10 lb bone-in turkey breast feed?
To preface, if you're cooking for 10 people, you'd aim for 5 pounds of boneless turkey breast, which would therefore equate to 10 pounds of bone-in turkey breast. Boneless – The amounts in this post are for boneless turkey breast.
How big of a turkey do I need for 12?
While 1 pound per person could feel like too little, and 1 1/2 pounds for each guest might be over-doing it, 1 1/4 pounds of turkey per mouth is the perfect balance. At that rate, feeding a large party of 15 or more people requires 20+ pounds of turkey.
How big of a turkey do I need for 9 guests?
If you're feeding up to 9 people, then you want to allow about 1lb or about . 4kgs of turkey per person. If you're hosting 10 or more guests then you want to allow about . 8 of a lb, or about .
What size turkey tastes the best?
In general, it's best to aim for about one pound of turkey per person when serving a smaller bird. Larger turkeys have large bones and less edible meat, so a pound-and-a-half per person is a safer bet.
How long does it take to thaw a 10 pound turkey?
Turkey-Thawing Times Thaw time in the fridge requires about 24 hours for every 5 pounds in a refrigerator set at about 40 degrees F (5 degrees C). Thaw time in cold water requires about 30 minutes per pound in cold water, refreshed every 30 minutes.
Can you keep a thawed turkey in the refrigerator for 4 days?
A thawed turkey can remain in the refrigerator for 1 to 2 days. If necessary, a turkey that has been properly thawed in the refrigerator may be refrozen.
When should you put turkey in fridge?
So, if the turkey weighs 4 to 12 pounds, plan for it to defrost in the fridge for one to three days. If it's 12 to 16 pounds, make sure it's placed in the fridge three to four days before the holiday arrives.
How Much Turkey Per Person?
One of the most frequently asked questions is what size turkey to buy. The rule of thumb is 1 1/2 pounds of turkey per person with leftovers and 1 pound of turkey per person without leftovers. If your guest list includes a lot of kids, lean towards a smaller size turkey. If your guests are big eaters, lean towards a larger turkey.
Should You Buy Fresh or Frozen Turkey?
Buying a fresh turkey or a frozen one depends on your time, preference, and resources: A fresh turkey usually costs more but doesn't need thawing. Some find fresh turkeys more flavorful than frozen.
What do Turkey Package Labels Mean?
Here are a few of the labels you might find on the package when you go turkey shopping, and more importantly, what they mean:
How many ounces of turkey per person?
As a general rule when buying turkey, plan on 1 pound of turkey per person. This allows approximately 7 cooked ounces of meat per serving. Though if you're wanting to enjoy turkey leftovers (obviously!), our Test Kitchen recommends 1½ pounds of turkey per person so everyone can literally get stuffed with enough left for a few extra meals.
How many pounds of turkey for 18-20 people?
18 to 20 people = 27- to 30-lb. turkey. Obviously, while the range of weights you'll find on turkey at the store varies, it's rarer to find birds less than 10 pounds or over 30 lbs. For large groups of people, consider buying a couple of smaller turkeys to match the pound per person rule.
How many people can eat a 6 pound turkey?
6 pounds (bone-in breast) 5 people. 12-14 pounds. 10 people. 24-28 pounds. 20 people. When reserving or selecting a whole turkey, allow at least 1 pound per person, plus an extra 1/2 pound per person if you want leftovers (this includes bones). Consider the size of your fridge and oven before coming home with a huge bird.
How long to thaw a turkey in a wrapper?
Add cold tap water to cover. Change the water every 30 minutes and allow 30 minutes of thawing time per pound.
How long does it take to fry a 10lb turkey?
Fry turkeys that are 10 to 13 pounds for 3 minutes per pound, and for turkeys from 14 to 20 pounds, cook for 3 1/2 minutes per pound. A 10-pound turkey will take about 30 minutes. A 20-pound turkey will require about 1 hour, 10 minutes. Cook until the internal temperature reaches between 180 and 190 degrees Fahrenheit.
How do you fry a 10 pound turkey?
Set the timer and cook the turkey about 3 to 4 minutes per pound. Cook all dark meat to an internal temperature of 175° F to 180° F, and all white meat to an internal temperature of 165° F to 170° F. Here’s some help on how to check your turkey’s temperature for doneness.
How do you measure oil for deep frying a turkey?
Remove the giblets and neck from the turkey; place the turkey inside the fryer basket. …
Can you deep fry a 25 pound turkey?
It’s not recommended to deep fry a turkey larger than 25 pounds. Most deep fryers will not have enough capacity to handle this and there are also safety reasons as well. Turkeys heavier than this may be quite difficult to get in and out of the oil safely, not to mention all the weight on a turkey frying burner/stand.
Do you fry a turkey with the lid on or off?
Keep an eye on the bird for the duration of the frying time, and make sure the temperature is at 350 during cooking. Leave it uncovered. You should fry your turkey for 3-4 minutes per pound.
What kind of oil do you use to fry a turkey?
Canola oil is recommended because of its high smoke point and low allergy concerns. The ideal frying temperature is 375°F. Once you submerge the turkey, the oil temperature will drop.
How many minutes do you cook a turkey per pound?
We recommend roasting turkey at 350 degrees F for 13 minutes per pound for an unstuffed turkey.
