How to Calculate Pounds of Turkey per Person

The size of the turkey depends on the kind of turkey you're buying and if you want to have leftovers.

Around Thanksgiving, you have the task of picking out the perfect turkey. You don't want to run out of turkey before it has made its away around the table, but you don't want to be left with several pounds of leftover turkey. The size of the turkey depends on the kind of turkey you're buying and if you want to have leftovers.

Instructions

1. Buy a fresh turkey (not frozen) and plan on 1 lb. of turkey per person for the average adult with a normal appetite. If you have many children or people with large appetites, adjust this number. For example, for 20 people at 1 lb. each (wanting no leftovers), you would buy a 20 lb. turkey.

2. Buy a frozen turkey and plan on 1 lb. of turkey per person.

3. Buy a frozen prestuffed turkey and calculate 1.25 lb. of turkey per person to account for the weight the stuffing adds.

Tips & Warnings

• Wash your hands and the cooking area often when handling raw turkey.

• Never buy a fresh prestuffed turkey. It's difficult to keep harmful bacteria from growing inside the turkey once the stuffing has been added.

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish
• Butterball