What size turkey?

[marydmjj]

My office has adopted the same family for Thanksgiving and Christmas this year. I signed up to get their turkey. They are a single mom, DS17, DS16 & DD11. I do not cook. I have never bought a turkey. What size should I get? Should I get it frozen?

 

[SeeDisney]

About a 15 to 17 pound turkey -- enough for some leftovers. Who knows, they may invite other people too.

 

[SeeDisney]

yes, I would buy it frozen.

 

[Annette_VA]

http://www.butterball.com/en/main_c...sp&t=Turkey Calculator&s0=plan_n_prep&s1=plan

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Two teen boys...I'd say a 15=20 pounder. Leftovers only last for a few days though...so probably about middle of the road at 17 would be good.

 

[mrsv98]

Wow, you guys are suggesting really big birds. I generally go by 1 1/2 lbs/person. Even figuring leftovers and other company I would say a 12 lb turkey would be more than big enough. Even the Butterball site is only saying 6 lbs.

The other advantage to a smaller bird is that it cooks faster and doesn't need a big roasting pan which not everyone has.

OP: It is really nice of you to make another family's holiday brighter!

 

[DisneyGirl4188]

We usually get the biggest we can find (around 20lbs) even if it's just a couple of us. We have enough for sandwiches for a couple days.

The past few years we haven't spent more than $5.00 for one. Two years ago, Food Lion actually paid us to take the turkey (they have specials). Since it doesn't cost that much, we get a big one.

We do get a frozen one, but it takes a couple days to defrost.

 

[hlbtimes2]

I would go big. They are cheap this time of year. Next week you should see them on sale for 29-59 cents a pound. Because they are in need, I'm sure they can use the left overs. Most people buy them frozen. Just be sure she'll have time to defrost it. They take about 4 days in the fridge to thaw.

 

[marydmjj]

Thanks everyone! I knew I'd get the answer here.

 

[tw1nsmom]

Maybe you could pick up a disposable aluminum cooking pan just in case the family doesn't own a big roaster. I would also go no bigger than 12-14 pounds. My mom and I once rented an apartment with an undersized oven (not saying that's the case with this family, just i case). A 20 pounder wouldn't have fit.