When it comes to Thanksgiving dinner, one of the most important decisions is figuring out what size turkey to buy. With the big meal centered around the turkey, you’ll want to make sure you get a turkey that’s big enough to feed everyone while also not ending up with lots of leftovers. So is a 12 pound turkey enough for 6 people? There’s no simple answer, but here’s a look at the factors to consider.
How much turkey per person?
The general rule of thumb is to plan for 1 pound of uncooked turkey per person. This accounts for the fact that a turkey loses about 25% of its weight when cooked. So for 6 people, you’d want to start with about a 15 pound raw turkey by this estimate. But this doesn’t account for variables like appetite, side dishes, and leftovers.
Appetite and side dishes
When estimating turkey needs, you have to consider appetites and side dishes. Not everyone eats the same amount of turkey. Men, teenagers, and active people often eat more than women, kids, and seniors. You also have to account for all the sides. If you’ll have hearty side dishes like mashed potatoes, stuffing, rolls, and vegetables, people may fill up on those and eat less turkey. A wide variety of side dishes means you may need less turkey than estimating just 1 pound per person.
Leftovers
One big question is whether you want leftovers. Having extra turkey makes for easy sandwiches, soups, and casseroles after the holiday. Some families like having those leftovers, while others don’t want the extra. If you’re feeding a crowd with healthy appetites and not concerned about leftovers, you may need more than 1 pound per person. But if you want just enough without lots of extras, you can scale back a bit. A 12 pound turkey should leave you with minimal leftovers for 6 people.
Other factors
Here are a few other things to keep in mind when figuring out turkey size:
- Kids and seniors often eat significantly less than adults.
- Account for picky eaters who may not eat turkey.
- Make sure you have extra sides in case the turkey runs out.
- Think about what you want to do with leftovers like soup, sandwiches, etc.
- Factor in if guests may take home leftovers.
- Consider cook time if your oven can only fit a certain size turkey.
Guidelines Based on Group Size
As a general guideline, here’s an estimate of how big a turkey you need based on your group size:
| Number of People | Raw Turkey Size |
|---|---|
| 4-6 | 10-15 lbs |
| 8-10 | 15-18 lbs |
| 12-14 | 18-22 lbs |
| 16-18 | 22-24 lbs |
This is just a rough estimate and you may need a different size depending on appetites and side dishes. It gives you a starting point, but your specific situation may call for a larger or smaller turkey.
Is a 12 Pound Turkey Big Enough for 6?
Based on traditional guidelines of 1 pound per person, a 12 pound raw turkey would be a bit small for 6 people. But that doesn’t account for side dishes and leftovers. If you want to avoid having lots of leftovers, a 12 pound turkey for 6 is probably just the right amount for most families.
A turkey will shrink about 25% when cooked. So a 12 pound raw turkey will yield about 9 pounds of cooked meat. If you estimate 3/4 pound of turkey per person, a 12 pound raw turkey should give you enough cooked meat for about 12 people by that math. But again, considering side dishes and appetites, you’ll probably have minimal leftovers with a 12 pound turkey for 6 people.
Tips to Make a 12 Pound Turkey Work for 6
Here are some tips to make sure a 12 pound turkey can feed 6 people:
- Prepare plenty of side dishes so people fill up on more than just turkey.
- Account for lighter eaters like kids and seniors in your group.
- Consider ordering a cooked turkey breast along with the whole turkey.
- Be prepared with leftovers in mind – have containers ready for guests.
- Have extra turkey stock and side dishes ready in case you run out.
- Carve carefully and stir the stuffing back into the bird to stretch the meat.
- Focus the white meat for lighter eaters and give more dark meat to heartier appetites.
With smart planning and preparation, a 12 pound turkey can work well for 6 people. The key is having the right expectations and being ready to stretch the turkey as far as possible. Make sure you have plenty of sides people can fill up on along with their turkey.
How Big is a 12 Pound Turkey?
To get a better idea of how big a 12 pound turkey is, here are the typical dimensions:
- Length from breast to drumsticks: About 18 inches
- Width across breast and wings: About 14 inches
- Height/depth including neck cavity: About 10 inches
So a 12 pound turkey is a medium-sized bird. It’s large enough to make an impressive holiday centerpiece, but small enough to cook thoroughly and fit in most ovens. The white meat sections like the breast will be ample for feeding a group of 6, while the dark meat may be more limited.
Visualizing a 12 Pound Turkey
To envision how big a 12 pound turkey is, here are some visual comparisons:
- Roughly the size of a medium watermelon
- Weighs about the same as a medium pet dog
- Wingspan is wider than a typical dinner plate
- Stands about as tall as a full grown Jack Russell Terrier
- Fits comfortably in a large roasting pan
So a 12 pound turkey makes a nice centerpiece without overcrowding the table or oven. With smart menu planning, it should provide an adequate feast for most 6 person Thanksgiving dinners.
Conclusion
Figuring out the right turkey size for Thanksgiving is part art and part science. While the standard 1 pound per person is a starting point, you need to consider appetites, side dishes, leftovers, and other factors. A 12 pound turkey should provide enough food for 6 people with modest appetites and plenty of sides. To make it work with minimal leftovers, be strategic with portion sizes, have extra sides ready, and stretch the meat as far as possible. With some planning and creativity, a 12 pound turkey can make for a memorable holiday meal.
