A 15 pound turkey can feed approximately 12 to 15 people. This estimate takes into account that about half the weight of the turkey is lost in bones and fat during cooking, leaving around 7 to 8 pounds of edible turkey meat. It also factors in that each person will likely eat around 1/2 to 3/4 pound of turkey meat along with side dishes. However, the exact number of servings from a 15 pound turkey can vary based on several factors.
Key Factors That Determine Turkey Servings
There are a few key factors that determine how many people a 15 pound turkey will feed:
Amount of Meat Per Serving
The typical serving size for turkey is about 4-6 ounces per person. If you assume heavy eaters will have 6-8 ounces each, a 15 pound turkey will stretch to feed fewer people than if you plan for smaller 4 ounce servings per person. Also consider if your meal centers around the turkey or if it is one part of a larger holiday spread. Centerpiece meals may warrant more turkey per guest.
Proportion of Usable Meat
Turkeys are 70-75% dressable weight, which means after removing bones, skin, fat and organs, 25-30% of the total weight is lost. Of the remaining 10-11 pounds of meat, some will also be lost in juices dripping during cooking. With these losses accounted for, plan for about 7-8 pounds of edible meat from a 15 lb turkey.
Number of Side Dishes
Consider the accompaniments you plan to serve alongside the turkey. Multiple side dishes like mashed potatoes, stuffing, vegetables, and bread will help fill up your guests. With more sides, you may need less turkey meat per serving.
Leftovers
Are you looking to have ample leftovers? Planning for a generous amount of extra turkey can decrease the number of initial servings. Leftover turkey is great for sandwiches, soups, casseroles and other creative meals after the main event.
General Guidelines for Servings from a 15 Pound Turkey
As a general rule of thumb, here are some serving estimates for a 15 pound whole turkey:
– For heavy eaters having 6-8 ounces turkey with few sides, plan for 10-12 servings.
– For average eaters having 4-6 ounces turkey plus multiple sides, plan for 12-15 servings.
– With ample sides and assuming leftover turkey, a 15 pound turkey could serve up to 18.
– For appetizer-sized turkey portions, expect 20-25 first-time servings.
Calculate Exact Servings for Your Meal
To calculate a more precise number of servings for your specific meal plans, follow these steps:
1. Determine Amount of Usable Meat
– Start with the 15 pound total turkey weight.
– Remove the neck and giblets which weigh about 1-2 pounds.
– Estimate 20-30% loss from bones/fat rendering.
– For a 15 pound turkey, estimate about 10-11 pounds of usable meat.
2. Estimate Total Meat Needed
– Decide on your desired serving size in ounces per person. Common sizes:
– Appetizer or snack: 2-3 oz
– Side dish: 4-6 oz
– Main dish: 6-8 oz
– Multiply serving size by number of guests.
– Example for 10 guests with 6 oz servings:
– 10 guests x 6 oz each = 60 oz or about 3.75 pounds
3. Calculate Number of Servings
– Divide estimated total usable meat by estimated total needed.
– For example with 10-11 lbs usable meat and 3.75 lbs needed:
– 10 lbs = 160 oz usable meat?÷ 60 oz needed = ~16 servings
– 11 lbs = 176 oz usable meat ?÷ 60 oz needed = ~18 servings
This gives you your serving estimate. Plan a little extra if having ample leftovers is important.
Tips for Determining Turkey Servings
Here are some extra tips for navigating turkey servings for your holiday meal:
Estimate 1 lb Per Person
As an easy general rule for whole turkeys, assume you will get about 1 pound of edible meat per person. A 15 lb turkey would feed around 15 by this estimate.
Weigh Cooked Meat
For the most precision, weigh your cooked deboned turkey meat after roasting. Then divide by your desired serving size in ounces to get an exact serving count for that particular bird.
Buy Slightly Larger
Since turkey weight loss can vary, it is better to err on the side of a slightly larger bird to ensure ample meat. You can always carve off extra and save it for later.
Offer Additional Entrées
Adding ham or other meats makes it easier to stretch a turkey to more servings. Alternate meat slices on plates along with smaller turkey portions.
Use Turkey Parts
Cooking an entire breast, legs, thighs or wings separately gives you more control over portions. Combine parts to meet your exact serving needs.
Serve Appetizer Style
For large gatherings, offering sliced turkey in passed appetizers or on an appetizer buffet allows you to make the meat supply stretch further.
Send Extras Home
Having guests bring containers for taking home leftovers means you don’t have to limit servings to only what will be consumed onsite.
Plan Ahead Based on Guest List
The easiest way to determine what size turkey you need is to plan based on who is coming and how much turkey you want each guest to have.
Take your final guest list and:
– Assign an estimated serving size for each person
– Add up the total raw meat required
– Buy a turkey sized to yield that amount of cooked, deboned meat
This will help ensure you purchase the optimal bird for the number of people you are serving.
Conclusion
A 15 pound turkey can provide anywhere from 10 to 25 servings depending on how large you cut the portions and how many side dishes you serve. In general for main course servings, plan for a 1/2 to 3/4 pound of turkey meat per person. Calculate servings more precisely by determining how much usable meat your turkey size will realistically yield and weighing your desired portion sizes per guest. With some advanced planning and clever serving techniques, a 15 pound turkey can be stretched to adequately feed any size holiday gathering.
