How Big a Turkey Should I Buy For Thanksgiving Dinner?

By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Terry_Retter]Terry Retter
How many of you in the family, or are there guests coming? These are the basic questions to help you realize the right size of turkey for your Thanksgiving. In my house, preparing a really big turkey doesn't matter as we are fond of left over for a Turkey Tetrazini dish for the next day's dinner.
To figure the right size to buy, calculate 1 to 1-1/2 pounds of turkey per person. Even if you have a crowd with mixed appetite, this approximation is safest. So, for a group of six, a 6-7 pounder turkey would be adequate. An 18- 20 pound bird can be enough for 10 people if you want some leftovers. I've proven this size to be almost with no shortage and with the usual leftovers which I freeze for the next surprising turkey dish.
Include the number of guests in your planning. Some guests don't eat turkey, so don't forget to count the number of people who will be eating turkey. If you're just buying turkey breast, figure on about 3/4 pound for every person, 1/2 pound for each person for boneless turkey breast, and more or less 1-1/4 pounds per person if you're buying a pre-stuffed bird. That way you can be sure that your guests will enjoy a good share of turkey for dinner.
If there are many children or people with large appetite who really love to eat turkey, you need to adjust your approximations. If you're planning for a normal 1-1/2 pound for each person, you would need to buy at least 25-30 pound of turkey, that's if you're not expecting leftovers. As a general rule of thumb, for turkeys under 12 pounds, estimate on the higher side, but for turkeys over 12 pounds, estimate on the lower side as there is more meat to bone.
Along with the size of turkey to buy is also the kind of recipe you are using. You'll less likely to worry of shortage for a plain roasted turkey but not if you're cooking the most flavorful and sumptuous turkey dish. Remember that a deliciously-roasted turkey serves a bountiful Thanksgiving dinner that could mean more than just one serving per person.
So if you want some leftovers, figure on 1-1/2 pound of unstuffed, whole turkey per person for moderate leftovers, and allow about 2 pounds per person for more leftovers. I am among those who are always afraid of having no leftovers, because to me and my wife, Thanksgiving turkey leftover is the fun part!
Enjoy your Thanksgiving!
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Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?How-Big-a-Turkey-Should-I-Buy-For-Thanksgiving-Dinner?&id=6637910] How Big a Turkey Should I Buy For Thanksgiving Dinner?