Quick! How many people does a 12-pound turkey feed? How many servings in a can of cranberry sauce? How long should you brine the bird?
Don’t worry, we’re lousy at Thanksgiving trivia, too. That’s why we assembled this Turkey Day cheat sheet. This way you can focus on your family, friends and good eats without having to worry your way through culinary equations.
All serving estimates are generous to allow for plenty of seconds and leftovers.
HOW BIG?
For turkeys under 16 pounds, estimate 1 pound per serving (this accounts for bone weight). For larger birds, a bit less is fine; they have a higher meat-to-bone ratio. But if your goal is to have ample leftovers, aim for 1[ ] pounds per person whatever the turkey’s size.
• 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.
THE BIG THAW
The safest way to thaw a frozen turkey is in the refrigerator. You’ll need about 24 hours per 4 to 5 pounds of turkey. You also can put the turkey in a sink of cold water. Change the water every 30 minutes, and plan for about 30 minutes per pound.