The Shadow
WASHINGTON — When it comes to picking out the right turkey for a Thanksgiving feast, size matters. But how much turkey does each guest at your table actually need?
The perfect-sized bird doesn’t take a math equation to figure out. The National Turkey Federation suggests keeping it simple and recommends allowing at least 1 pound of uncooked turkey per person.
This general rule of thumb works perfectly for a mid-sized group (8-12 people). For a larger group that requires more than 15 pounds of turkey, you may want to consider using two smaller birds to help with even cooking.
If your guest list falls somewhere in between, try serving a bone-in or boneless breast to accompany your whole bird while providing additional white meat portions.
For the guest who’s always reaching for seconds (or if you want to count on leftovers), opting for 1.25- 1.5 pounds per person is a safe bet. By purchasing a larger turkey than needed for a holiday feast, you can transform leftovers into time-saving meals.
The National Turkey Federation says that by freezing the extra cooked turkey, you’ll have your own “ready-to-prepare” healthy food for quick and easy post-holiday dishes.
