How do you work out what weight turkey to buy?

[reallybusymummy]

Before I ring the farm shop and sound like I only serve ready made meals, I was wondering if anyone had a handy calculator to work out the turkey weight needed for X number of people. I am cooking for 8. Over the last few years, the parents or parents-in-law have ordered it, but ordering it this year myself, I realised that there was a flaw in my plan! All help appreciated. Thanks

Off top of my head, I used to sell them:

150g/person if you don't like leftovers.

American rule is half a pound per person will allow for plenty of leftovers.

You might just want a crown.

Thank you! The Good Housekeeping US online site suggests 1lb per person, so maybe that's for larger portions/leftovers!

Half a lb per person with an extra half a lb on top.

We get an 8-10lb crown for 7 people so there will be some for Boxing Day :)

Yes, 1 lb per person is with lots of leftovers which us Americans love.

I guess it depends how much your meat eaters love their meat. DD is a dedicated carnivore but even she wouldn't eat more than 200g at a sitting. We cater for middle-aged & elderly who really don't need to eat much at all. I guess it depends how hungry your adults are. I would easily think 450g/person for normal teen boys.

Will it fit in the oven? Is how I choose.

Thank you for all your helpful, useful, thoughtful and funny messages. I went for a 10lb turkey for 8 people when I ordered today. Last year we had a 22lb turkey (same number of guests) and it took all night to cook in the Aga and let's just say that we were having Thai green turkey curry for some time after Christmas and the New Year. This year sounds like leftovers will be minimal in comparison (phew).x

We get an 8lb(ish) crown for five people with loads of leftovers.

I think the formula is...

Number of people x 1lb x Just in Case factor [usually 2]

I love your turkey weight calculator...brilliant, thank you!