How big
| What you buy | Per person |
|---|---|
| Whole bird | 1 pound |
| Breast of turkey (bone in) | ¾ pound |
| Boneless breast of turkey | ½ pound |
| Frozen pre-stuffed turkey | 1¼ pounds |
Illinois Extension suggests a pound and a half per person for hearty eaters or plenty of leftovers.[2]
Planning for a crowd? Before you buy one very large bird, check the thawing table: every extra 4 to 5 pounds adds about a day in the refrigerator.[5]
Fresh or frozen
Nebraska Extension says there is no difference in quality between fresh and frozen. The difference is timing.[6]
- Fresh: buy it only 1 to 2 days before cooking, and keep it in the refrigerator. A raw whole turkey keeps 1 to 2 days refrigerated.[3][7][8]
- Frozen: buy it any time you have freezer space, and cook it within 1 year for best quality.[4][7]
Reading the label
- Pre-basted (or self-basted): injected with water, broth, vegetable oil or spices. Un-basted: nothing added. Don't brine a pre-basted bird.[9][10]
- Pre-stuffed: never fresh. Frozen only with the USDA or state mark of inspection, and kept frozen until cooking.[3][4][11]
- Smoked: fully cooked unless the label says otherwise, so it only needs heating.[12]
Hen or tom
Hens generally weigh under 16 pounds and toms over 16. Toms have bigger bones and less edible meat for their weight. Age, not sex, decides tenderness.[13]
Sources
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Whole bird 1 pound per person Boneless breast of turkey ½ pound per person Breast of turkey ¾ pound per person Prestuffed frozen turkey 1¼ pounds per person - keep frozen until ready to cook
Buy about one pound per person, or a pound and a half per person if you have hearty eaters or want plenty for leftovers.
If you buy a fresh turkey, be sure to purchase it only 1-2 days before cooking. Do not buy a pre-stuffed fresh turkey.
You can buy a frozen turkey at any time as long as you have enough storage space in your freezer. Remember to cook a frozen turkey within 1 year for best quality. USDA recommends only buying frozen pre-stuffed turkeys that display the USDA or State mark of inspection on the packaging.
Put in the refrigerator (40 °F or below) and allow approximately 24 hours per 4 to 5 pounds. A thawed turkey can remain in the refrigerator for 1-2 days.
There is no difference in quality between a fresh or frozen turkey
Chicken or turkey, whole Not safe 1 to 2 days 1 year
Fresh turkeys can only be kept safely for one to two days, in the refrigerator.
A pre-basted bird is injected with water, broth, vegetable oil and/or spices to enhance flavor and moistness during cooking. An un-basted turkey has no additional ingredients. Read the label.
For brining, start with a fresh turkey or a completely thawed turkey that is not basted or self-basted.
Frozen Pre-Stuffed: Allow 1 1/4 lbs. per person. buy any time. Keep frozen until ready to cook. DO NOT THAW .
Smoked turkeys are fully cooked and simply need to be heated unless the label says otherwise. Turkeys are smoked to impart flavor, not to extend the refrigerator storage time.
Hens are generally weigh less than 16 pounds and a tom turkey is usually over 16 pounds. Toms are larger with larger bones and less edible portions. However, age not gender is the determining factor where tenderness is concerned.