The Ultimate Guide: How Much Turkey Per Person for Your Thanksgiving Dinner
Thanksgiving is just around the corner and it’s time to start thinking about the centerpiece of your holiday feast – the turkey. But how much turkey should you buy per person? The answer to this question can be a bit tricky, especially if you’re hosting Thanksgiving for the first time. In this ultimate guide, we’ll break down everything you need to know about turkey portions for Thanksgiving, so you can serve up your best Thanksgiving dinner yet.
Factors to Consider When Deciding How Much Turkey to Buy
Before we dive into the specifics of turkey portions, it’s important to consider several factors that will influence how much turkey you’ll need for your Thanksgiving dinner. These include:
Number of Guests
The first factor to consider is how many guests are attending your Thanksgiving dinner. This will obviously impact the overall amount of turkey you need to buy.
Appetites of Your Guests
Another important factor is the appetites of your guests. Are they big eaters, or do they prefer to take smaller portions? This can impact how much turkey you need to have on hand.
Leftovers
Are leftovers important to you and your guests? If so, you may want to factor in extra turkey to make sure there’s enough to go around for sandwiches and other post-Thanksgiving treats.
How Much Turkey Per Person?
Now that you’ve considered the factors that can impact how much turkey you need to buy, let’s dive into the specifics of how much turkey you should plan to serve per person. As a general rule, you’ll want to plan for:
1 Pound of Turkey Per Person
For most Thanksgiving dinners, planning on one pound of turkey per person is a good starting point. This will give each guest a nice-sized portion, with enough leftovers for those who want them. However, if you have big eaters or are hosting a particularly hungry crowd, you may want to plan for a bit more.
1.5 Pounds of Turkey Per Person
If you have big eaters or prefer to have extra leftovers, planning for 1.5 pounds of turkey per person may be a better option. This will ensure that everyone has plenty to eat, with enough leftovers for turkey sandwiches and other treats.
Turkey Math: Calculating How Much Turkey to Buy
Now that you know how much turkey to plan for per person, it’s time to do some turkey math to figure out how much turkey you need to buy for your Thanksgiving dinner. Here’s a quick formula to follow:
(Number of Guests) x (Pounds of Turkey Per Person) = Total Pounds of Turkey Needed
For example, if you’re hosting 10 guests and plan to serve 1 pound of turkey per person, you’ll need:
10 guests x 1 pound of turkey per person = 10 pounds of turkey
Conclusion
Hosting Thanksgiving dinner can be a bit stressful, but it doesn’t have to be. By following this ultimate guide to turkey portions, you can ensure that your guests have plenty of turkey to enjoy, without overbuying or running out. Happy Thanksgiving!
