The standard, never-fail, handed-down-by-grandma rule is simple: you need 1 to 1.5 pounds of turkey per person. But wait! That’s for the whole, raw, frozen bird, including bones and feathers that you aren’t actually going to eat. For six adults, that means a turkey that is roughly 6 to 9 pounds total.
But here’s the thing: nobody buys a 7-pound turkey. They look sad and lonely in the oven. You will usually find them in the 10- to 14-pound range. So, what do you do? You buy the 10- or 12-pounder with your eyes closed. Why? Because leftovers are not a curse—they are a blessing in disguise.
Let’s Talk About Leftovers (The Good Kind)
If you buy a 10- to 12-pound turkey for six people, you are not overbuying. You are strategically stocking your future meals. That turkey will give you: an amazing dinner, a next-day sandwich with cranberry sauce (maybe on a slightly stale roll), and a soup that mends your soul. Leftovers are the real main course on Black Friday.
If you absolutely hate leftovers (who hurt you?), then stick to the 8-pound bird. But I’m warning you: you’ll look at the empty platter, look at Uncle Bob who ate three servings, and feel a tiny pang of regret. Always err on the side of more turkey.
