How many turkeys are needed to serve 100 people and how to serve portions?

Sylvia
  • Posted by: Sylvia
  • November 1, 2019
  • 4657 views
  • 9 Comments

9 Comments

Nancy November 3, 2019
Update from someone who made a similar meal last year (2018).
Sylvia - A member named Lou had a similar question last year. Maybe direct email her and ask her what she bought, whether it was enough, how she would revise her shopping list if she did it again. - Nancy
https://food52.com/hotline/40446-how-many-turkeys-will-i-need-to-prepare-if-i-m-cooking-for-a-100-people-and-i-have-mac-cheese-mash-p
 
boulangere November 1, 2019
If you and your group are doing this as a generous service, I would suggest you write up a simple paragraph about your mission to take to a few retailers and ask for donations. If you have a Costco nearby, start there, then fan out to large grocery chains. Send people out armed with your message to ask to meet with store managers in person. Right then. Don't email. Don't call. Chances are that you'll wind up with donations of more than just turkeys, so be prepared to explain all that you are serving/using. Just don't ask any one manager to donate everything. Oh, and show up early in the morning before their days get busy. Best of luck, and please let us know how it goes.
 
Happygoin November 1, 2019
Nancy, it's Thanksgiving. Everyone overeats until they're fit to burst :)
 
Nancy November 1, 2019
Happyygoin...
Probably and yes.
But we don't know the host's budget.
$100 to $125 lb Turkey is a lot to buy.
This gives the host a minimum base, and she can always add more....as resources allow.
Nancy
 
Nancy November 1, 2019
Happygoin -
With your comments in mind, I looked at another source, which estimates about 10 oz per person from a whole bird. That's about 2/3 lb, so maybe increase the total amount of turkey to 65-70 lb.
Consider that a mid point between the low of 25-33 lb and high of 100-125 lb.
 
Nancy November 1, 2019
Look at eat Turkey.org. they suggest 2.8 to 4 servings per lb (whole, breast, legs etc). So, 25 to 33 lb total.
These proportions also give lots of proteinper person.
1 to 1.5 lb per person sounds like too much to me.
If it's a holiday like Thanksgiving, people will want slices of breast and pieces of wings, legs, thighs. And traditional sides...gravy, stuffing, roasted vegetables.
If not traditional, you will get more mileage out of stews or casseroles (and a soup to start, from the carcasses).
Can go in any direction...Mexican, thai, French, Italian.
And sides from those cuisines.
 
Happygoin November 1, 2019
LOL, yes, Boulanger, lucky indeed...I'd love an invite, so I don't have to cook for a change :)
 
boulangere November 1, 2019
Okay, I'm curious. Who are these lucky 100 people?
 
Happygoin November 1, 2019
Of course, it depends on the size of the turkeys. But a serving is considered about a pound to a pound and a half of meat per person. So, for example, a 20-pound turkey would feed 10-15 people.
 
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