How much meat will I get off a 20 lb turkey?

From a 20 lb turkey, you can expect about 8 to 11 pounds (or 40-55%) of edible meat, though this varies with the bird's size and cooking, yielding roughly 10-20 servings with leftovers, as it loses significant weight to bone and cooking. Expect about 8-9 ounces of meat per pound of raw turkey, so a 20 lb bird provides around 10-11 lbs of roast meat, plus extra for stock from the carcass.

How much meat does a 20 lb turkey yield?

“So, for 10 people you should prepare a 20-pound turkey. Home cooks should expect to yield 40 percent of a cooked bird, and between dark meat and white meat preferences, the yield will shrink even further,” DiSpirito says.

How many servings do you get out of a 20 lb turkey?

A 20 lb turkey generally feeds 12 to 15 people, providing generous servings with potential leftovers, especially when considering a pound per person (1.5 lbs for more leftovers) and accounting for bone weight, with some sources suggesting it serves up to 14 for a main course or more with ample side dishes. 

Is a 20 lb turkey enough for 12 people?

You can use this easy formula: multiply the number of guests by 1.25, then round up to the nearest whole number. So, if you're expecting 12 guests, plan for a 15-pound bird.

How much meat do you get from a 12 lb turkey?

For example, from a 12-pound turkey, you'll end up with about 5 pounds of cooked meat—roughly 3 1/2 pounds of white meat and 1 1/2 pounds of dark meat.

How much meat do you get from a 20 pound turkey?

What pound of turkey for family of 4?

For a family of 4, plan for a 6 to 8 pound whole turkey for a meal with leftovers, or a 3 to 4 pound turkey breast if you prefer just white meat and a quicker cook. A good rule of thumb is 1 to 1.5 pounds per person for dinner and plenty of leftovers, but you can go smaller if you have many side dishes or smaller appetites.
 

How many people will a 22 lb turkey feed?

For an unstuffed whole turkey, plan roughly 6–7 pounds for 6 guests, 10–11 pounds for 10 guests, and 20–22 pounds for 20 guests at a standard 1 pound per person. If you want leftovers, bump those to around 9–10, 15–16, and 30–32 pounds.

How big of a turkey do you buy for 20 people?

Holiday Crowd for 20

Total about 23 pounds. You can roast one large 22 to 24 pound turkey, or two smaller turkeys, like two 12 pound birds, for faster, more even cooking. For a buffet with hearty appetites, consider 1.5 pounds per adult, which would raise your total to about 28 pounds.

Should a 20 pound turkey be covered or uncovered?

For a juicy 20 lb turkey with crispy skin, cook it mostly covered with foil to retain moisture, then uncover it for the last hour (or half) to brown, or just tent the breast if the skin browns too fast; this balances tenderness and color, preventing the breast from drying out before the legs finish. Start covered, then remove the foil for browning, checking the temperature as you go.
 

How long will a 20 lb turkey take to cook?

For a 20 lb turkey at 325°F (165°C), expect roughly 4.5 to 5.5 hours for an unstuffed bird, or 5 to 6.5 hours if stuffed, but always use a meat thermometer to ensure the thickest part of the thigh reaches 165°F (74°C) for safety, as cook times vary by oven and stuffing. 

Do you cook a 20 pound turkey at 325 or 350?

You can cook a 20 lb turkey at either 325°F or 350°F, with 325°F being a common choice for even cooking (around 4.5-5 hours unstuffed), while 350°F cooks slightly faster (around 4-4.25 hours) but might brown the skin quicker; the key is using a meat thermometer to ensure the thickest part reaches 165°F for safety, and many chefs suggest starting lower (325°F) and finishing higher (425°F) for crispy skin. 

Is 20 lbs a big turkey?

As tempting as a 20-pound turkey may look at the store, you really don't need one that large for a six-person gathering. The general rule is 1 to 1½ pounds of turkey per person. If that seems like a lot, remember that a whole bone-in turkey comes with parts that don't get eaten.

How many people are fed by a 20 lb turkey?

A 20-pound turkey will feed between 12 and 14 people.

Is there a 30 lb turkey?

Yes, you can absolutely get a 30-pound turkey, with many grocery stores, butchers, and farms offering turkeys in that size range (often 28-32 lbs or larger), especially frozen for convenience or fresh for special orders around holidays. These large birds are great for feeding big gatherings, providing plenty of meat for guests and leftovers, though they require careful cooking to ensure they cook evenly, often involving methods like spatchcocking or dry brining to manage the long cooking time. 

How many servings are in a 20 lb turkey?

A 20 lb turkey generally feeds 12 to 15 people, providing generous servings with potential leftovers, especially when considering a pound per person (1.5 lbs for more leftovers) and accounting for bone weight, with some sources suggesting it serves up to 14 for a main course or more with ample side dishes. 

How many people feed an 18 pound turkey?

How much turkey should you cook? As a general rule, plan on 1 1/2 Pounds of turkey (uncooked) per person. In other words, to feed 12 people, you'd need an 18-pound turkey (12 × 1.5 = 18). This formula (and this is true for the guidelines that follow as well) will produce generous leftovers.

What size of turkey for 6 adults?

A turkey crown (2-2.5kg) will feed 6 people. A small turkey (3-4.5kg) will feed 6-8 people. A medium turkey (4-5kg) will feed 8-10 people. A large turkey (6-6.5kg) will feed 12-15 people.

How big of a turkey do I need for 22 guests?

The following is a guide to how much turkey you will need, based on the number of guests you are expecting: 4-8 people: 10-15 lb turkey. 10-16 people: 15-18 lb turkey. 18-22 people: 19-24 lb turkey.

How many turkeys will feed 200 people?

1 to 1.5 pounds of turkey per person if serving a whole bird. If you want leftovers, consider increasing this to 2 pounds per person. For larger gatherings or particularly hearty eaters, opt for a bigger bird or add other protein dishes to supplement the meal.

Is it better to cook a turkey at 325 or 350?

For roasting a turkey, 325°F is generally recommended for a reliable, moist, and evenly cooked bird, offering more forgiveness for home cooks, while 350°F cooks faster but risks drying out the exterior if not watched closely; both work, but 325°F is often considered foolproof for juicy results and golden skin, ensuring the thickest part reaches 165°F.
 

Is a 15 lb turkey enough for six people?

Yes, a 15 lb turkey is generally enough for six people, especially if you have plenty of side dishes, but it might be a bit large for just six if you don't want leftovers; aim for 1 to 1.5 pounds per person for a good meal with some leftovers, so 9-12 lbs is ideal, but 15 lbs ensures plenty for big eaters or extra sandwiches, according to this article on turkey sizes, this guide from Perdue, and Bon Appetit. 

What is the best turkey for 4 people?

If you're cooking for 3-4 people, our small turkey crowns and prepared turkey breasts are ideal. For 5-6 people, choose a medium crown or small whole turkey. For groups of more than 8, we'd suggest a medium or large whole turkey or crown.

---