If your guests are marathon runners, teenagers, or your cousin Kevin who eats like a bear storing up for winter, bump it up to 9 or 10 pounds. That gives you 1.8 to 2 pounds per person, which is basically an all-you-can-eat buffet. Just make sure your oven can handle it—10 pounds is like a small toddler, so give it space.
What size turkey do I need? | Turkey Size Guide | Cornish Food
Also, consider a second side dish like mashed potatoes or stuffing. Turkey is the star, but potatoes are the supporting actor that steals the show. No one ever said, “That turkey was great, but the potatoes were meh.” It’s a biological fact.
The Leftover Strategy (Because You’ll Want Some)
Let’s be honest: the best part of a turkey dinner is the next day’s leftover feast. So if you’re feeding five people, an 8-pound turkey is the sweet spot. You’ll have enough meat for turkey salad, a sandwich, and maybe even a batch of soup. Plus, you can freeze the carcass for stock later—take that, food waste!
Just don’t forget to save the drippings for gravy. Gravy is the glue that holds humanity together. Without it, we’re just a sad pile of dry meat and vegetables.
