What percentage do Americans eat turkey?

Turkey is a traditional centerpiece of American holiday meals, especially Thanksgiving. But how many Americans actually eat turkey, and how often? Let’s take a look at the numbers.

Quick Facts on Turkey Consumption

Here are some key facts on turkey consumption in America:

  • 88% of Americans eat turkey at Thanksgiving.
  • Of those that eat turkey at Thanksgiving, 93% will have leftovers.
  • 44% of Americans say they will eat turkey for Christmas dinner.
  • The average American eats 16 pounds of turkey per year.
  • Turkey consumption peaks in November for Thanksgiving, at over 660 million pounds.

Thanksgiving Turkey Consumption

Thanksgiving is by far the holiday when most Americans eat turkey. According to a survey by the National Turkey Federation, 88% of Americans eat turkey during the Thanksgiving holiday. This equates to about 46 million turkeys consumed each Thanksgiving.

Thanksgiving accounts for the bulk of turkey consumption in America each year. During the Thanksgiving holiday period (which includes Christmas) over 660 million pounds of turkey are consumed.

The majority of Americans enjoy turkey leftovers after the Thanksgiving meal. Around 93% of those that eat turkey on Thanksgiving will have leftovers to enjoy in the days following the holiday.

Reasons Americans Eat Turkey on Thanksgiving

There are several reasons why turkey became the centerpiece of the Thanksgiving meal:

  • Turkey was abundant in early America and could feed large gatherings.
  • Roasting whole turkeys was less labor intensive than other forms of cooking.
  • Turkeys are large enough to feed a crowd.
  • The tryptophan in turkey may have contributed to post-meal naps and relaxation.

While turkey has been part of Thanksgiving since the 19th century, its popularity grew immensely during the 20th century thanks to commercialization and marketing campaigns.

Christmas Turkey Consumption

While Thanksgiving sees the highest turkey consumption, Christmas comes in second. According to a survey by the National Turkey Federation, 44% of Americans eat turkey for their Christmas meal.

Christmas turkey consumption equates to around 27 million turkeys, significantly less than Thanksgiving. However, Christmas still accounts for a sizable chunk of turkey eaten every year.

Reasons Some Opt Out of Turkey for Christmas

Here are some of the top reasons that less than half of Americans eat turkey for Christmas:

  • More diverse holiday menus and traditions.
  • Smaller gatherings than Thanksgiving.
  • Prefer ham or roast beef as the holiday centerpiece.
  • Opt for an alternative main dish like seafood, pasta, or tacos.
  • Try to avoid too much leftover turkey.

Year-Round Turkey Consumption

While turkey consumption peaks during the holiday months, Americans eat turkey year-round in a variety of ways. According to the National Turkey Federation, the average American consumes 16 pounds of turkey meat annually.

Popular year-round uses for turkey include:

  • Sandwiches
  • Salads
  • Soup
  • Sausage
  • Burgers
  • Ground turkey
  • Deli meat

Turkey consumption does see smaller spikes during Super Bowl weekend and Easter, when classic dishes like turkey chili and turkey ham make appearances.

Per Capita Turkey Consumption

Here is a look at approximate turkey consumption per capita in the U.S. annually:

Month Pounds per person
January 1.2
February 1.1
March 1.2
April 1.3
May 1.3
June 1.1
July 1.1
August 1.2
September 1.3
October 1.4
November 2.7
December 1.5

As you can see, there is a huge spike in turkey consumption in November for Thanksgiving, followed by a smaller spike in December for Christmas.

Regional Differences

There are some regional differences in turkey consumption across the United States:

  • The South has the highest consumption per capita, led by Arkansas.
  • The Midwest also has above average turkey consumption, especially in Minnesota.
  • Consumption is lowest in the West and Northeast.

The strong turkey consumption in the South and Midwest may be attributed to holiday traditions, abundance of family gatherings, and popularity of comfort foods involving turkey.

Top 5 States for Turkey Consumption

State Pounds per capita
Arkansas 20.7
Mississippi 19.3
Alabama 18.8
Louisiana 18.4
Minnesota 18.2

As you can see, the Southern states of Arkansas, Mississippi, Alabama and Louisiana top the list. Minnesota leads the Midwest in fifth place.

Trends and Traditions

There are some notable trends and shifts related to turkey consumption, along with new traditions emerging:

  • Fresh turkey has grown in popularity over frozen.
  • Free range and organic turkeys are becoming more common.
  • “Friendsgiving” potlucks are increasing in popularity.
  • Deep frying turkey has emerged as a popular cooking method.
  • More creative leftover turkey recipes are being shared.
  • Turducken (stuffed chicken stuffed in duck stuffed in turkey) has emerged as an extreme dish.

However, despite these food trends, the traditional roasted turkey remains a staple centerpiece of the holidays for most American households.

Innovative Ways to Use Leftover Turkey

Americans have gotten very creative with ways to use leftover turkey after the holidays. Some popular options include:

  • Turkey pot pie
  • Turkey chili or soup
  • Turkey tetrazzini
  • Turkey enchiladas
  • Turkey sandwich variations
  • Turkey casserole
  • Turkey salad
  • Turkey hash

Future Outlook

What does the future look like for turkey consumption trends? Here are some projections:

  • Slight decline in Thanksgiving turkey, offset by population growth.
  • More non-traditional holiday meals and fusion dishes.
  • Continued growth of turkey products like deli meat and sausage.
  • More locally grown and ethically raised turkeys.

In a fast-changing food landscape, turkey will likely remain a staple for American holiday meals, even if exact consumption percentages shift year to year. The nostalgia and traditions surrounding holiday turkey make it an enduring centerpiece.

Conclusion

Turkey has become deeply ingrained in American holiday traditions, especially Thanksgiving. While only 44% of Americans eat turkey on Christmas, a huge 88% eat it for their Thanksgiving meal. In total, the average American consumes about 16 pounds of turkey meat each year.

Thanksgiving accounts for the biggest spike in turkey consumption, with over 660 million pounds eaten during the holiday season. Americans have found creative ways to use up their leftover turkey in various dishes.

Consumption patterns show regional differences, with higher consumption in the South and Midwest. Despite shifts in cooking methods and food trends, turkey remains a staple of holiday meals for most American households.

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