Seeking CF advice: multiple turkeys and other options

13 years ago

Hoping you all can help me with my options for Thanksgiving... I have 15 folks coming for dinner, and I'm trying to decide if I should cook:

1. one big Turkey,

2. two smaller turkeys,

3. a turkey breast the day before, and one medium turkey on T-day.

And if I do cook two turkeys at the same time, what adjustments do I need to make (temp/ cooking time)? Even if I go with another option, I'm especially interested in cooking time adjustments for two turkeys.

If I go with option 3, I'd have the extra breast meat available to warm up for extra servings / leftovers. Also, Turkeys never finish when expected at my house (maybe b/c they aren't all the way defrosted? or the oven isn't calibrated? idk) so this way I'd have breast meat when we're ready to eat even if we're still waiting on the bird.

And we LOVE leftovers, so one 15# Turkey won't cut it. There will be 7 staying over expecting turkey sandwiches, and maybe even Turkey Tetrazzini...

What do you recommend? Any tips? (besides calibrate the oven, and make sure the bird is fully defrosted, LOL)

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Comments (7)

lindac
13 years ago
If your oven is big enough, I would cook2 15 pounders.
Turkeys never finish when expected at my house either....but they usually cook faster than I expect.....so the turkey is tented under foil and towels while I frantically mash potatoes and cook veggies!
2 15 pound turkeys should easily cook in 4 hours at 325 even if they are not completely defrosted in the breast.
I start at 425 for maybe 29 minutes and turn the oven down without opening the door. Then, at 2 1/2 hours I check the temperature in the thigh with an instant read thermometer.
If it reads 155 or above....the turkey comes out and is foiled and wrapped with a couple of bath towels to rest....the temperature will rise another 8 to 10 degrees in that time.
Don't over cook a turkey.
Linda C
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hawk307
13 years ago
If I had the options I would go with a 20 Lb and do the turkey breast the day before.

Plenty for everyone and Care packages.

I Bake mine in a large Roasting Pan covered with foil
350 Deg., probably about 5 1/2 hours.

If it isn't browning enough,I take the foil off for a bit.

I use Stuffing so I'll bring the internal temp to 160 Deg. Cooks great every time.
You can also add potatoes .
Lou
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two25acres
13 years ago
My head count is at 18 today and most are men, good sized men. I am doing a 15-18 lb roasted turkey and a fried turkey. We are going to Shipshewanna Indiana, Amish country to get the turkeys and I will also pick up extra legs. We will celebrate together on Friday after tday which gives me tday to cook and prepare.
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cynic
13 years ago
Seems to me the big question is how many people prefer white meat or dark meat and use that as a guide. If more like white, the breast is a good option, or even two. If more like dark, then of course the whole turkey is a better option. You could also get a large turkey and a breast or two... or say forget it and eat out... so many options!
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Bumblebeez SC Zone 7
13 years ago
I make one turkey the day before and make the gravy. This turkey gets sliced and refrigerated for leftovers and take home plates.
I then make one beautiful turkey (garnished and a burnished brown) on Thanksgiving that I carve as people go though the buffet line. We usually have about 20 people give or take a few.
Typically I do around 12-15 pounds each or so BUT, we usually also have a spiral ham. If I don't have ham, I plan on a 18-20 turkey.
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Bizzo
Original Author
13 years ago
thanks all! I'm now leaning toward's bumblebeez two turkeys, cooked on two days... But I probably won't finalize the decision until I get to the market mid-week next week...
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anoriginal
13 years ago
Though more money... I'd consider a "deconstructed" turkey. I prefer the white meat so would want more of that left-over. Dad did this one year. TWO breasts, 4 wings and 2 legs/thighs. We rigged up stuffing semi inside bird... big pile on foil under breasts. We still got lots of good brown stuff for plenty of gravy.

Growing up, HATED picking bits off carcass, but now know what wonders you can get from the bones. Even if working with pieces... can still make stock from bones later.
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Seeking CF advice: multiple turkeys and other options

Comments (7)

lindac

hawk307

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two25acres

cynic

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Seeking CF advice: multiple turkeys and other options

Comments (7)

lindac

hawk307

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two25acres

cynic

Bumblebeez SC Zone 7

BizzoOriginal Author

anoriginal

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