Help! Should I buy a bigger turkey?

[seaglass]

This is the first Thanksgiving I've ever hosted and there will be a total of 10 of us. I bought a 15 lb fresh turkey and my mom has been subtly hinting that it's not enough because people like left overs and I guess there won't be any?

I have to go to the store this am anyhow and I was thinking I would buy another turkey if this one is too small and just freeze the one I have.

What do you think?

[tkmorris]

1. Buy a bigger one

15 lbs is no where near enough for 10 people. You need a 25 lb'er minimum, or 2 turkeys.

[seaglass]

2. Really? I read somewhere that you should figure 1 to 1.25 lbs

per person and I have that covered. But I will take your advice because I really am petrified there won't be enough. I bought the smaller one because I thought there would be less risk in screwing up cooking time.

[Spacemom]

3. Yep, you need a bigger turkey

A 15lb turkey will not yield 15 pounds of meat.

Yer gonna need a bigger bird. ;)

[seaglass]

4. I'm guessing that there is no way a turkey will defrost by

tommorrow? I just hope there are still some fresh ones out there.

[miss_american_pie]

5. Yikes

You might want to plan on using what you have and see if you can find a turkey breast (which still may not defrost by tomorrow) to make also.

Happy Hunting. ;)

[Blue Diadem]

6. You could always do what I do, serve an extra meat like ham or kielbasa

Sometimes I do all 3. Otherwise, I'd suggest a turkey breast..maybe 6 lbs or so. You can thaw it by placing it in a sink full of cold water and changing the water to keep it cold.

[Nickster]

8. That sounds like a winner. Add a few different meats to the mix. n/t

[livetohike]

7. You will definitely need a bigger one

I have a 14lb turkey for three of us - granted, it was the smallest turkey I could find, but it will be enough for leftovers and some sandwiches.

[seaglass]

9. Thanks everyone. I got a 21lb fresh turkey and will just put

the other one in the freezer. My SIL is also bringing a ham so I think I'm all set.

Funny the meat manager at the grocery store said for 10 people start at 14lbs and add more if you want left overs.

Happy Thanksgiving!

[Momgonepostal]

15. Could you give the other one to a food bank?

I know it's a busy time, but food banks need all kinds of food during the holidays, and probably have more hungry families than they do turkeys. :-)

[youthere]

10. Your turkey is big enough to feed everyone but...

there probably won't be much for leftovers (which I consider a GOOD thing). But if you are planning to have some turkey sandwiches or turkey soup or turkey and noodles or turkey a-la king or turkey stroganoff etc etc you're going to need a larger bird.I've always heard the guideline as a pound and a half of total turkey weight per person. That's the guideline I've always used and I've always had MORE than enough.

[radfringe]

11. don't know what kind of eaters your family is (BILLYSHANK BUY BREAD)

but growing up we had 10-15 people for dinner - Turkey was never less than 20lbs...

plenty of leftovers,,, yum

[Hugin]

13. I agree with what you say. (BILLYSKANK BUY BREAD)

(BILLYSKANK BUY BREAD)

[azmouse]

12. I always buy the biggest bird I can find.

Turkey is cheap and the leftovers can be used in so many ways.

[eyesroll]

14. "People like leftovers?" Who is "people?"

You're the host. It's your fridge. If you don't want leftovers, no reason to make extra turkey. (Is your mom hinting she'd like leftovers from your turkey? You're under no obligation to send leftovers home with guests.)

:shrug:

That said, I've seen guides saying 1-1.5 pounds of turkey per person would be fine. So I don't think your 15# turkey would mean underfeeding people at dinner, but it won't yield a lot of extra either. The 21# turkey gives you a little more leeway, though. (Save the carcass and make soup, regardless.)

[trof]

16. Get a turkey breast.

Mostly meat and easier than the whole bird.