Thanksgiving is right around the corner and one of the most important food choices you’ll make is turkey. Whether you’re serving 4 or 40, determining how many pounds of turkey to buy can be a tricky task. Having too little can lead to hungry guests, while having too much can lead to a lot of leftovers. To make it easier, it helps to know how many people a 4lb turkey will feed. In this blog post, we’ll break down the approximate number of servings that a 4lb turkey breast can provide and provide helpful tips for making the most of your purchase. We’ll also offer advice on which types of turkey are best for different meal occasions and provide tips for proper storage and handling. By the end of this blog post, you’ll have the confidence to make the right turkey purchase for your holiday meal.
BIG BIRD
The general recommendation for Thanksgiving is to serve 1 pound of turkey per person. Want leftovers (or serving big appetites)? Allow 1 1/2 pounds. The following guide accounts for meat and bone weight:
For 8 people, buy a 12-pound turkey
For 10 people, buy a 15-pound turkey
For 12 people, buy an 18-pound turkey
For 14 people, buy a 20-pound turkey
LITTLE BIRD
Make a bone-in turkey breast if you’re not feeding a large crowd. A 5- to 7-pound breast feeds about 4.
THE BRINE
Kosher salt and sugar are used in brines in a 1:1 ratio, typically with no more than 1 cup of each. Feel free to add other seasonings. Brines are typically made by melting salt, sugar, and seasonings in a small amount of water.
Following that, this mixture is diluted with more cold water (the amount will vary depending on the size of your bird) and ice. The brine must be completely cooled before adding the turkey.
Brining turkeys for at least 8 to 10 hours and up to 72 hours is recommended. You should make the brine weaker the longer you intend to brine the bird. Therefore, use 1 cup of salt and 1 cup of sugar for a 10-hour soak. For longer, consider reducing to 3/4 cup each.
Always keep the bird refrigerated during brining. If the turkey is too large, a cooler with ice also works. Don’t buy a pre-brined turkey and separate brine it.
FAQ
How many people will 4 lb turkey breastfeed?
4 people = 2 pound turkey breast. 8 people = 4 pound turkey breast. 10 people = 5 pound turkey breast. 16 people = 8 pound turkey breast.
How many people will a 5lb turkey breast serve?
LITTLE BIRD Prepare a bone-in turkey breast if you’re not feeding a large party. A 5- to 7-pound breast feeds about 4.
How many will a 3 lb turkey breast feed?
Breasts that are bone-in and skin-on, as we do for this technique, are advised. One (three-pound) half-breast will feed two to four people. Six to eight people can be fed from a whole (six to seven-pound) turkey breast (two breasts still connected at the breast bone). This method will work for either amount of meat.
How many people will a 2lb turkey breast feed?
What is 4 People = 2 Pounds Uncooked Turkey Breast?
