When planning a Thanksgiving or holiday meal for just a few people, a massive 20-pound turkey is overkill. But what is the right size bird to buy for a small gathering? Let’s take a look at what constitutes a small turkey and how much you really need to purchase.
Defining a Small Turkey
There is no set weight that officially qualifies a turkey as “small.” However, most sources agree that small turkeys generally fall in the range of
- 6 to 14 pounds
- 10 to 12 pounds average
So if you see a turkey at the store labeled “small,” it will likely be in this weight range.
Anything 15 pounds or over tends to be considered a medium standard, or large turkey. Smaller birds under 6 pounds are sometimes labeled “miniature turkeys.”
The reason smaller turkeys weigh less is because they are younger at time of harvest. A young hen or tom turkey will be petite compared to a fully grown adult.
Advantages of Choosing a Small Turkey
Here are some benefits of selecting a small turkey for your gathering:
-
Easy to manage – A 10 pound turkey is much easier to maneuver and fit into a small oven than a 20+ pounder
-
Cooks faster – With less overall mass, a small turkey will roast more quickly. Plan for 13-15 minutes per pound at 350°F.
-
Less leftovers – For a small gathering, a giant bird means lots of wasted leftovers. A small turkey provides just enough.
-
More affordable – Smaller turkeys are more budget-friendly, especially if you don’t need lots of leftovers.
-
Easier to freeze – Extra portions from a small turkey will fit in your freezer more easily.
How Much Turkey Per Person?
A common question when buying a small turkey is “how much turkey do I need per person?” Here is a general guideline:
- Plan for 1 pound of uncooked turkey per person.
So for a group of 4 people, a 10-12 pound small turkey is perfect. The 1 pound per person rule accounts for leftovers.
For appetizers only with no leftovers, plan for 1/2 pound per person. And if you want ample leftovers, go up to 1 1/2 pounds per person.
The small turkeys in the 10-14 pound range allow flexibility for gatherings of 6-10 people with modest leftovers.
Where to Find Small Turkeys
You can locate small turkeys year-round either fresh or frozen at:
- Local grocery stores and supermarkets
- Specialty butcher shops
- Farmers markets
- Online mail-order food companies
Fresh small turkeys are more widely available during the holidays. Make sure to call ahead to confirm availability at your store and reserve one early.
Going with a frozen small turkey gives you more flexibility. Just be sure to allow 2-3 days of thawing in the refrigerator before cooking.
Enjoying the Ideal Turkey for Smaller Groups
A 6-14 pound turkey is the perfect choice for intimate holiday gatherings of about 2-8 people. Calculate 1 pound per person, plus a bit extra if you want leftovers. Then seek out a fresh or frozen small turkey at your local market. With the ideal bird size, you can enjoy a simply amazing holiday meal.
Self-Basting or Pre-Brined
Self-basting and pre-brined turkeys have been injected with broth, salt, seasonings, beer, and/or other flavorings. If you want to season your turkey without brining it, don’t salt or brine it. It might make the turkey too salty and dry.
Fresh vs. Frozen
The real difference is pretty clear: frozen turkeys have been frozen, and you need to plan for time for them to thaw when you buy them that way. Thawing a big bird can take several days since turkeys can only safely be thawed in the fridge. If that’s important to you, make sure that when you buy turkey that wasn’t frozen, it really is “fresh” and not “previously frozen” and then thawed at the store.
Once they’re cooked, most people won’t be able to tell much of a difference between fresh and frozen birds. However, some side-by-side tests of birds that are otherwise the same show that fresh birds are juicier and more tender. However, the type of turkey and how it’s cooked are more important now that there are better ways to freeze food that don’t lose as much water.
Why The Smaller Turkey Costs 10x More
FAQ
Is a 10 pound turkey small?
What size turkey for 2 adults?
How many people will a 15 lb turkey feed?
What is considered a medium-sized turkey?
What is the smallest turkey?
2kg is the smallest whole turkey you will be able to buy. Of course, if you need smaller than that, you can opt for a Turkey Crown instead! We also have a simpler slow cooker turkey crown recipe you may like to try for a complete hands-off turkey cooking experience. Where can I buy a small turkey?
What are the different types of small turkeys?
There are many different breeds of small turkeys, each with its own unique characteristics. Some of the most popular breeds of small turkeys include: * Buff Orpington Turkey: The Buff Orpington Turkey is a light brown turkey with a yellow beard and wattle. This breed is known for its calm temperament and gentle disposition.
Is a small Turkey better than a large turkey?
Small turkeys are easier to cook than large ones, plain and simple. For one, their size makes them easier to pull in and out of the oven for basting. But more importantly, it’s much easier to get moist, juicy meat and perfectly golden-brown skin when you’re cooking a small turkey. When it comes to roasting, turkey is somewhat of a flawed bird.
Where can I buy a small turkey breast?
As we mentioned, Kroger grocery stores should stock a range of smaller turkeys, even some as small as five pounds. Trader Joe’s may have turkeys as small as 12 pounds; they also sell cooked, brined turkey breasts. Whole Foods also sells a bone-in turkey breast that weighs about six pounds.
Where can I buy a smaller turkey?
Many specialty markets and local grocers supply smaller turkeys; stores like Whole Foods may also have them. You can also find smaller-sized turkeys online at Williams Sonoma and Fossil Farms. Some might think a bigger turkey is tastier, but that’s not necessarily true.
Is a bigger Turkey tastier than a smaller one?
Some might think a bigger turkey is tastier, but that’s not necessarily true. A smaller turkey is easier to cook because it has less of a chance of getting dried out. While you may be accustomed to seeing a 20-pound turkey in the center of the dining room table, a smaller one ranges from about 5 to 10 pounds.