How Many People Will a 17-Pound Turkey Feed?
A 17-pound turkey is a substantial bird, perfect for a sizable gathering! But exactly how many people it will feed depends on several factors beyond just the weight. Let's delve into the specifics to help you plan your feast.
General Rule of Thumb:
A common guideline is to plan on about 1-1.5 pounds of turkey per person. Using this rule, a 17-pound turkey should comfortably feed 11-17 people.
Factors Affecting Serving Size:
However, this is just a starting point. Several factors can influence how many servings you'll get from your 17-pound turkey:
- Appetites: Are your guests big eaters? If you're hosting a group known for their hearty appetites, you might want to lean toward the lower end of the estimate (11 people). If your guests have smaller appetites, you could potentially stretch it to feed closer to 17.
- Leftovers: Do you want to have plenty of leftovers for sandwiches or future meals? If so, you might want to plan for fewer guests per pound to ensure ample remains.
- Side Dishes: The quantity and type of side dishes you serve significantly impact how much turkey each person will consume. A plethora of delicious sides might mean people eat less turkey.
- Bone-in vs. Boneless: Bone-in turkeys have more bones, thus less edible meat than boneless. A 17-pound bone-in turkey will yield less meat than a 17-pound boneless turkey.
- Dark vs. White Meat Preference: If your guests heavily favor one type of meat over the other, you'll need to consider this. There's more dark meat than white meat on a turkey.
How Much Turkey Per Person? A More Detailed Look:
Let's break down the serving size calculation further:
- Conservative Estimate (1.5 lbs/person): 17 lbs / 1.5 lbs/person = 11.3 people. Round down to 11 to ensure sufficient turkey for everyone.
- Generous Estimate (1 lb/person): 17 lbs / 1 lb/person = 17 people. This leaves less room for error and relies on smaller appetites or plenty of side dishes.
What About Other Factors?
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Will you be serving other meats? If you're also serving ham, chicken, or other proteins, you can reduce the per-person turkey estimate.
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What about kids? Children generally eat less than adults. Adjust your estimate accordingly.
In Conclusion:
A 17-pound turkey will likely feed between 11 and 17 people, depending on the factors discussed above. To be on the safe side, especially if you want plenty of leftovers, err on the side of caution and plan for the lower end of this range. Careful consideration of your guest's eating habits and the availability of other food items will help you determine the most accurate estimate for your specific situation.
