The thermometer should read 165 degrees when you insert it in the thickest part of the thigh. Unless your turkey is relatively small (less than 12 pounds), you are looking at a three-hour-minimum cook time. But to be safe, you can start checking earlier.

Likewise, how do you estimate the weight of a turkey?

  1. adults = 10 × 1 lb. adults = 10 lbs.
  2. children = 8 × .5 lb. children = 4 lbs.
  3. total = 10 lbs + 4 lbs. total = 14 lbs.

Also Know, how do you determine the weight of a Butterball turkey? There is a hang tag that has a UPC code on it and beneath it is the net weight. Often the retailer places their tag over it. You can weigh yourself and then weigh yourself again with the turkey to get an estimated weight.

One may also ask, how do you weigh a turkey without a scale?

If you don't have a scale of any kind, you will be O.K. as long as you have an oven-safe thermometer and stay vigilant about monitoring the temperature of the turkey as it cooks (15 minutes a pound at 325 degrees). The thermometer should read 165 degrees when you insert it in the thickest part of the thigh.

How much turkey do I need per person calculator?

For turkeys smaller than 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 1½ pounds per person whatever the turkey's size. For 8 people, buy a 12-pound turkey.

Related Question Answers

What size turkey do I need to feed 4 people?

For turkeys smaller than 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 1½ pounds per person whatever the turkey's size. For 8 people, buy a 12-pound turkey.

How much turkey should I get per child?

You'll want to plan on about 1.25 pounds of turkey per person attending. That means that if you are expecting 12 guests, plan for a 15-pound bird. If you have a large number of kids coming, simply round down when calculating your turkey. The kids usually go for the rolls and side dishes anyway.

How much does the average turkey weigh?

15 pounds

How long should a 15lb turkey cook?

13 minutes of cooking time for each pound of turkey if roasting empty and 15 minutes per pound if stuffed. What temperature to cook the turkey? Preheat the oven to 450°F then drop the temperature to 350°F after putting the turkey into the oven.

How long do I cook a 22 pound turkey?

If your turkey weighs 21 to 22 pounds, roast it at:
  1. 425°F for 4 to 4 1/4 hours.
  2. 400°F for 4 1/4 to 4 1/2 hours.
  3. 350°F for 4 1/2 to 4 3/4.
  4. 325°F for 4 3/4 to 5 hours.

What size turkey do I need?

Turkey size for 5-6 people: A 2-3kg/5-6lb bird. Turkey size for 7-9 people: A 3-3.5kg/7-8lb bird. Turkey size for 10-12 people: A 4-4.5kg/9-10lb bird. Turkey size for 13-15 people: A 4.5-5kg/10-11lb bird.

Do you weigh a turkey frozen or thawed?

If the meat is sealed (as it should be) when frozen, and left that way when it thaws, there will be no change of mass. Frozen meat weighs more than unfrozen meat only to the extent that during the freezing process water has condensed and frozen on its surface. The meat itself and the water it contains weigh the same.

How heavy is a small turkey?

Most “smallturkeys range from 10 to 12 pounds, though you may be able to find one smaller. Kroger grocery store even carries a five-pound bird.

Does a frozen turkey weigh more?

If the meat is sealed (as it should be) when frozen, and left that way when it thaws, there will be no change of mass. Frozen meat weighs more than unfrozen meat only to the extent that during the freezing process water has condensed and frozen on its surface. The meat itself and the water it contains weigh the same.

How can I weigh a small amount without a scale?

Good household objects include hand weights. Or look to your kitchen, where packages of dry food are printed with weight measurements of their contents. You can also use containers of water (a gallon of water weighs 8.35 pounds).

How long do I cook my turkey?

A disclaimer: turkeys vary, and so do home ovens. But generally, you will want to cook an unstuffed turkey for about 15 minutes per pound, at 325 degrees. For an 18-pounder, about four and a half hours would do the trick. Roasting a stuffed bird will lengthen the cooking time.

How can I weigh my chicken without a scale?

You can also use your hand to measure food portions of meat and produce. For example, a single 3-ounce serving of chicken, beef, or fish is roughly the size of your palm. A 1-cup serving of fruit or vegetables is roughly the size of your closed fist. A single serving of cheese is about the size of your thumb.

How much cups are in a pound?

LIQUID AND DRY MEASURE EQUIVALENTS
3/4 cup = 12 tablespoons
1 cup = 16 tablespoons
1 pound = 2 cups
1 quart = 4 cups

How do you calculate food weight?

You can also use your hand to measure food portions of meat and produce. For example, a single 3-ounce serving of chicken, beef, or fish is roughly the size of your palm. A 1-cup serving of fruit or vegetables is roughly the size of your closed fist. A single serving of cheese is about the size of your thumb.

How much is a frozen turkey?

Turkey prices: $0.29 per pound for frozen turkeys (with minimum purchase of $35 and MVP card) $0.99 per pound for Butterball frozen premium all natural turkeys.

Do you cook a turkey at 325 or 350?

Roast the turkey uncovered at a temperature ranging from 325°F to 350°F. Higher temperatures may cause the meat to dry out, but this is preferable to temperatures that are too low which may not allow the interior of the turkey to cook to a safe temperature.

How big should a turkey be for 8?

For turkeys smaller than 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 1½ pounds per person whatever the turkey's size. For 8 people, buy a 12-pound turkey.

How big a turkey do I need for 2 people?

The general rule of thumb is to allow 1 pound of turkey per person (for more on turkey size, see our earlier post), which means you'll have plenty for leftovers. If the ideas of a white-meat-only breast or too-big whole turkey don't appeal to you, there are other options.

How long does it take to cook a 20 pound Butterball turkey?

BUTTERBALL TURKEY COOKING TIMES
  1. 4.5 – 7 lbs. Unstuffed: 2-2.5 hours. Stuffed: 2.25-2.75 hours.
  2. 7-9 lbs: Unstuffed: 2.5-3 hours. Stuffed: 2.75-4.5 hours.
  3. 9-18 lbs: Unstuffed: 3-3.5 hours. Stuffed: 3.75-4.5 hours.
  4. 18-22 lbs: Unstuffed: 3.5-4 hours.
  5. 22-24 lbs: Unstuffed: 4-4.5 hours.
  6. 24-30 lbs: Unstuffed: 4.5-5 hours.

How big do Butterball turkeys come?

And though it's the most popular size, a 16-pound turkey isn't even that big. The birds raised for processing average 28 pounds. Odder still, though, is that Butterball, the US's turkey-farming powerhouse, isn't sure why its birds stay svelter than usual—or isn't yet saying.

How long can a turkey rest after roasting?

A: Ideally, your turkey should rest 30 to 40 minutes to let the juices redistribute. (This gives you enough time to make gravy, too.) We usually recommend that the turkey get back into the refrigerator within 2 hours, so by the time you carve and serve, that timeframe works pretty well.

What is in a Butterball turkey?

Butterball is known for its pre-basted turkeys. The frozen Butterball turkeys have an eight percent solution of water, salt, spices and "natural flavors," while the turkeys it sells as fresh (which, by law, mean they've never been chilled below 26 degrees Fahrenheit) only contain four percent of that solution.

How long does it take to cook a 21 pound Butterball turkey?

For an unstuffed turkey, Butterball recommended:
  1. 6-10 pounds: 1½ -2 hours.
  2. 10-18 pounds: 2-2½ hours.
  3. 18-22 pounds: 2½-3 hours.
  4. 22-24 pounds: 3-3½ hours.

How many minutes per pound do you cook turkey?

The general rule for cooking a turkey is 20 minutes per pound, but that can vary depending on whether or not your turkey recipe calls for a stuffed or unstuffed bird. Use this handy chart to determine approximately how long to cook it, whether stuffed or unstuffed.

What size turkey to buy for 10 people?

What Size Turkey to Buy
Number of guests: Size of turkey:
8 people 12-14 pounds
10 people 15-16 pounds
12 people 18-20 pounds
14 people 21-22 pounds

How long do I cook a 20 pound turkey?

If you're baking it at 325°F (the lowest temperature the USDA recommends), you'll need to bake a 20-lb turkey in the oven for 4 to 5 hours if it's unstuffed, and 4 ¼ to 5 ¼ hours if it's stuffed.

How big of a turkey do I need for 12 people?

Rule of Thumb You need 1 1/2 pounds of uncooked turkey per person. In other words, to feed 12 people, you'd need an 18-pound turkey (12 × 1 1/2 = 18). This formula (and this is true for the guidelines that follow as well) will produce generous leftovers.

Are Butterball turkeys good?

Butterball turkeys are of the highest quality product and will be sure to impress your guests. Here's why Butterball is the right (and only!) choice this holiday season: Butterball turkeys are always tender and juicy because we take the extra step of individually pre-brining them based on size.

How big of a turkey do you need for 7 adults?

The general rule of thumb is 1 pound turkey per person, 1 1/2 if you want a lot of leftovers. Something to keep in mind is that the smaller turkeys tend to be juicier and cook more evenly than a larger bird.

How long does it take to thaw a 20 lb turkey?

Using the guide of one day for every 3.5 to 4 pounds of weight, here's how many days to thaw a turkey.
  1. 3 to 4 pounds: 1 day.
  2. 4 to 8 pounds: 2 days.
  3. 8 to 12 pounds: 3 days.
  4. 12 to 16 pounds: 4 days.
  5. 16 to 20 pounds: 5 days.
  6. 20 to 24 pounds: 6 days.

How much turkey do I need for 50 adults?

The rule of thumb for buying turkey: 1 pound per person If you really, really like leftovers and are perfectly content to eat turkey sandwiches until your head falls off, then a pound-and-a-half per person will do the trick.

What temperature do you cook turkey at?

Insert a meat thermometer into the thickest part of the thigh. The thermometer should point towards the body, and should not touch the bone. What temperature to cook a turkey: Place the bird on a rack in a roasting pan, and into a preheated 350 degree F (175 degrees C) oven (or follow recipe instructions).

What is US size 14 in Turkey?

Turkish sizes are just normal continental sizes. 38 is size 14 40 is 16 Shoe size 36 is a 5 38 is a 6.