Thanksgiving: How many pounds of turkey per person do you have? (I have lots.)

I’m hosting my second Thanksgiving ever. I posted here begging for help the first time. It turned out well. Hence, I was confident I could do it again. We’ll see if I was right. I’m not feeling it right now, I must admit.

Part of it is the turkey. Like last time, I ordered it from a good fellow at the local farmers’ market. Unlike last time, we had a lot of folks say they were coming, so we ordered a big turkey.

Many have since changed their mind. Many. We’re down to two guests. Four people total.

Our farmer’s turkeys grew a bit bigger than expected. So we got the smallest turkey he had left when we arrived to pick up this morning.

It’s 22.51 lbs.

That’s just over 5.5 lbs/person. I’ve been told the buying recommendation is 1.5 lbs/person. So a 15 - 20 lb turkey (what we ordered) was great for the 10 people we thought we’d have. For four? It’s, perhaps, a bit much. Still, I can’t help but laugh about the situation.

And worry that I’m not going to cook this enormous thing well. But, no matter what, it will be an adventure.

So, what do you guys have?

I have a 24.5 lb turkey for a family of five. It’s all about the sandwiches.

That’s what my guy & I keep telling ourselves. Leftovers!

Assuming, of course, I don’t overcook this thing.

I’m in a similar situation – I ordered a “small” 10-15 lb turkey from a local farmer, and yesterday I picked up a 16 lb turkey. Three guests are joining my fiancee and I for thanksgiving dinner, so that’s 3.2 lbs/person. But they’re only here for the day, so we’ll probably have 10 lbs of leftover turkey to eat over the next month…

I was told that 1.5 lbs per person is what to shoot for. But I have a 19 lb turkey for the 6 of us, 'cause I love me some turkey tetrazinni!

Six people, twenty one pounds. The only thing better than turkey is left over turkey.

bwahahahaha…

Regards,
Shodan

We’ll have 1.5-2 pounds per person - and then my mother will go home and cook another 10-15 pound turkey the next day to pass out to people so we’ll have more meat for sandwiches and snacking over the next week. I love Thanksgiving. :slight_smile:

Man! I wish I were doing your Thanksgiving, Kiros! That sounds brilliant.

Welp, my turkey is brining now, and there’s an apple pie in the oven. Things could be worse.

We always buy way more turkey than we can eat at the table because the overage goes into the gumbo pot for SWMBO to work her magic on.

MMMMMMMM…gumbo…mmmmm

I just brought home a 16 pound turkey, and it’s just the two of us.
We grind it and freeze it in 1 pound Ziplock bags.

I have a 21 pound turkey for just the three of us. My husband and daughter love to have leftovers for sandwiches, and I like to put the remains of what they don’t eat into the freezer for future use in soups, etc. I must keep the carcass for making stock.
It looks like I’ll have a nice stockpile of turkey goodness in the freezer!

I only got a 17 pounder this year for five people. I’m pushing mashed potatoes and horsey doovers.

I always make a gumbo with the turkey carcass too. They’re great for that.

I’ve got a 15 lb turkey and. 14 lb turkey for 8-10 of us to eat worst case senario that works out to 3 lbs per person worst case senario. I want to make sure I have tons of leftovers.

Same ratio here. 2 of us/14 lbs.

I have a 6 pound ham and a turkey breast (that’s what, about 3 pounds?) for five people.

Go to the NY Times dining section:

And search for “Carving a Thanksgiving Turkey.” This is so you get the most from your turkey.

Then, freeze half of it for sandwiches later. It’s what I do, and it works beautifully.

18 lbs for 3 people–but the turkey was free (I get one from work every year) and I’m perfectly fine with leftovers.

14 pounds for 4 people. I must have turkey sandwiches on good white bread with mayo, salt and lettuce. Must!

11 lbs and change for 4 people, at least 1 of which will eat like a bird. I’m looking forward to turkey stock and sandwiches. Omnom.