Turkeys can fly short distances. Wild ones can hit 55 miles per hour. Your oven turkey? Not so much.
The average American eats 16 pounds of turkey per year. That’s about the size of the bird you’re buying. Coincidence? Probably.
What size turkey do I need? | Turkey Size Guide | Cornish Food
Benjamin Franklin actually wanted the turkey to be the national bird. He called the bald eagle “a bird of bad moral character.” So you’re honoring a would-be national icon.
The Leftover Lie (and the Truth About Size)
Everyone says they want leftovers. But do they? Or do they just like the idea of them?
A 14-pound turkey leaves about 3 to 4 cups of meat after dinner. That’s enough for a few sandwiches, not a week’s worth.
If you truly crave leftover turkey enchiladas, go 20 pounds. Yes, 20 pounds for 20 people. It’s a beautiful symmetry.
