Most experts—and yes, there are turkey math experts out there—say you need 1 to 1.5 pounds of turkey per person. Wait, that sounds huge, right? For ten adults, that’s a ten-to-fifteen-pound bird.
But here’s the trick: that weight includes the bones and the, ahem, awkward bits. You’re not eating the whole spine, people. So for ten hungry adults, I’d aim for 14 pounds.
Why 14? It’s the sweet spot. It gives you leftovers for sandwiches the next day—because secretly, that’s why we all show up.
But What If Your Guests Are Lighter Eaters?
Maybe your friends are all on the “small plate” trend, or your cousin is gluten-free and won’t touch stuffing. Then you can drop to 12 pounds. But here’s a side comment: no one ever complains about leftover turkey. Seriously.
If you go too small, you’ll hear sighs when the platter hits the table. Go a bit big, and you’re a hero. It’s like choosing a pizza size—always order the extra large, even for a date.
