Melba's Jammin' wrote:

>
>
> > Is is if you like lots and lots of leftovers.I did our Thanksgiving
> > turkey last month. A 15 lb. turkey fed 8 adults and one child using
> > only one side of the bird. Everyone seemed satisfied and and never
> > had to cut into the second side of bird. I think the rule of thumb
> > for serving a crowd turkey is about 1/2 pound per person.
>
> Interestingly, the Butterball(R) Turkey Calculator calculates purchasing
> one pound per person. Sales must be down. <=:-0)

I had heard or read that figure years ago and always used it as a guide.
However, I did a little web surfing and found several sites that suggested a
pound per person. They must count on people eating a lot more turkey than I
do, but the 1/2 pound per person estimate has always worked even when feeding
my wife's family who are notorious carnivores. But as I mentioned earlier we
fed ample portions to 8 adults and a kid at Thanksgiving and had cut into
only one side of the bird. The entire second side was untouched. The bird
was excellent so I wouldn't blame the quality for lack of interest.