Here are some figures to keep in mind when you're thinking of how large a turkey to buy for your guests: Though if you're wanting to enjoy turkey leftovers (obviously! We rarely eat turkey by itself, use an 8-ounce portion per person. * keep in mind that the smaller the bird, the smaller meat-to-bone ratio so you might want to get up to 2 lbs./person for smaller gatherings. Turkey eggs are tan with brown specks and are larger than chicken eggs. If you want leftovers or a little extra, then plan on one and one-half pounds per adult and three-quarter pounds per child. Quick rule of thumb to get you started: If you’re buying a whole turkey, plan on 1 pound (uncooked) per person. ), our Test Kitchen recommends 1½ pounds of turkey per person so everyone can literally get stuffed with enough left for a few extra meals. This takes into account the weight of the bones, it’s not all meat weight. These are our top ways to eat leftover turkey. This formula (and this is true for the guidelines that follow as well) will produce generous leftovers. With all the skin and bones, you’ll be lucky to get a 50% yield by the time you pull off every scrap of meat. Print our handy chart for roasting ham, beef and goose. Uncooked whole unstuffed turkey: Think of about two pounds of the entire turkey per person for a small gathering (4 to 8 people), and about 1.5 pounds of the entire, larger turkey per person for a larger group (10 to 16). If you can, that is; finding smaller turkeys may be a challenge this year. The rule of thumb for buying turkey: 1 pound per person This is a brilliantly simple rule to follow any time you’re cooking meat on the bone, but this is especially perfect for the holidays when leftovers are key for feeding out-of-town guests throughout the weekend. I like leftover turkey… General rule of thumb is half a pound per person (usually means some leftovers, too). Food Type. Always use a meat thermometer to ensure your turkey is cooked through. So if you have 6 people and are cooking an 8-pound bird, expect turkey sandwiches for days. Turkey math: How much turkey per person and roasting guide, Colleen Tully / Recipes by The Canadian Living Test Kitchen. Calculate at least one and half pounds per person. This chart shows the estimated amount of bone-in ham for your holiday dinner party. These are our top ways to eat leftover turkey. We rarely eat turkey by itself, use an 8-ounce portion per person. In other words, to feed 12 people, you'd need an 18-pound turkey (12 × 1 1/2 = 18). Once you know the exact number of attendees, use this formula: Number of guests x 1.25. You’ll need a bit more bone-in ham per person to allow for the additional weight of the bone. How Many Pounds of Turkey Do You Need Per Person? Do You Know How to Hang Christmas Lights? When choosing a whole turkey for your holiday meal for 8 or more people, plan on about 1 1/2 pounds per person to ensure there is enough meat for the heavy eaters and leftovers. With all the skin and bones, you’ll be lucky to get a 50% yield by the time you pull off every scrap of meat. Your Christmas Dessert Table Needs These Recipes. Per Martha Stewart, you should plan on 3/4 pound of bone-in ham per person. One pound of uncooked turkey will yield a little over 1/2 pound of cooked meat, minus the skin, bones and other inedible portions. Hens do not. How Much Turkey to Purchase Whole turkey - Allow about 1 pound of uncooked turkey per person. So if you have 6 people and are cooking an 8-pound bird, expect turkey sandwiches for days. Stick with that, and your Thanksgiving is off on the right foot. , we bought an 18-pound turkey this year boneless ): think of about 1.25 ( one and pounds... Also consider the context, such as chicken and turkey ( 12 × 1 1/2 pounds per person,! 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