What sze turkey for 14?

[Doesney]

I usually get a small turkey but I am having the turkey cooked at a local restaurant this year . They are offering 12-14lbers or 18-22lbers. There is a significant price differance, but I do not want to under estimate it. There are 6 adults and 8 kids under age 11 There will be all the usual fixings and also a lasagne. FWIW we are not big on turkey leftovers.


Help me Rhonda! I need to place the order soon.

 

[mjkacmom]

I think we usually have 16, my mom cooks the biggest turkey she can find (about 22 pounds), I cook a large turkey breast, and there is usually some leftovers, but not tons. I'd go with the bigger bird.

 

[tazdev3225]

I'd go for as close to a 22 lb turkey as you can get. There's usually 10 people at my mom's and she gets a 25 lb bird so there are some leftovers.

 

[wall*e2008]

Rule of thumb is 1-1.5 lbs per person. Less if many are light eaters and/or many other things to eat. More if you are feeding many teen boys or there is only a few sides.

In your case I would get a 14 lb turkey.

 

[tw1nsmom]

A pound per person is the regular guide. I would go with the bigger turkey, but you will have some leftovers. Can you divide them up and send them home with guests? Or can you freeze some? Then again, if you know some people won't eat any or much turkey you could probably get away with the smaller one. That was helpful, wasn't it?

Another option would be to choose the smaller one and also get a small ham to go along with it. It's hard for me to figure out because Dh loves leftovers. We'll be cooking a 12 pounder for just the four of us.

 

[Doesney]

A pound per person is the regular guide. I would go with the bigger turkey, but you will have some leftovers. Can you divide them up and send them home with guests? Or can you freeze some? Then again, if you know some people won't eat any or much turkey you could probably get away with the smaller one. That was helpful, wasn't it?:lmao:

You betcha

I guess I will go with the smaller bird. I hate wasting food. I am sure my guests will not starve. As a matter of fact, both of my kids an myself eat everything but the turkey. We should be ok.

 

[Nancy]

How little are the kids? How much do they eat at a normal meal? Big eaters or little eaters in the adults?

My thinking is with the sides and lasagna you can get away with the smaller turkey. Kids in my house I used to count as 1/2 when figuring out food if they were under 10. Even with being good eaters they don't eat as much as adults do. If you don't want left overs the 12-14 should be enough.

 

[laurafergie]

I agree with the smaller turkey.

6 adults/6 lbs + 8 kids/4 lbs = a 12 lb Turkey and you are having Lasagna too. That in addition to your side dishes and dessert. You will have plenty with the smaller bird.

 

[shortbun]

No turkey sandwiches on white bread with Hellmans? To me, THAT is Thanksgiving!!!! Why not just make two Lasagnas and skip the turkey all together?

 

[Mom2Nick]

I agree - go with the smaller bird especially since you do not care to have leftovers. There's always PLENTY of sides at Thanksgiving and I seriously doubt that anybody will go home hungry if you happen to eat every ounce of meat off of that bird

 

[Mom2Nick]

No turkey sandwiches on white bread with Hellmans? To me, THAT is Thanksgiving!!!! Why not just make two Lasagnas and skip the turkey all together?

No mayo here. Turkey on white bread with cranberry sauce, cold stuffing and a tiny bit of heated up gravy.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Go with the small turkey.

 

[chrisw127]

Can you do two smaller turkeys? They say that the bigger the turkey, the less tasty and tougher it will be. Apparently it has something to do with the fact that it's unnatural for turkeys to be over 20 pounds and that carrying all that weight makes their meat tough.

I suppose you could also augment a regular sized turkey with a spiral cut ham.

 

[wilderness01]

I just ordered a 15 pounds turkey for 6 people, 3 adults, 2 teens and a junior with a big appetite. We love leftovers though!

 

[Ohiodislover]

Last year there were 11 of us. My mom smoked 2 turkeys, and roasted one, in the oven. Then my brother deep fried another one. Plus we had ham.

I don't think I'm the one to ask.