I too had a 16 pound bird, serving 9. Since Thanksgiving, my son and I have each had a sandwich, will probably each have one more, and then, there's just enough to make my turkey stew I make every year. It's ohiomom's chicken stew recipe using turkey stock (my frame has already been boiled :) and already cooked turkey instead of the raw chicken. Good stuff. It did cut it close though. I agree! I get another turkey next week from work, it's the holiday "bonus".

Yikes! 16 pounds? Since we only had 7 adults and 2 little kids (a toddler who sticks to rolls and whipped cream for dinner), I went with a 20 pound bird. This fed everybody for dinner plus leftovers to send home with DD and family and DS and his SO. My sister flew here, so she didn't get leftovers, although she did have them for Friday dinner and Sat. lunch. I ate turkey 2-3 times a day (it was a really good turkey!) for 5 days, DH 1-2 times a day. We made split pea soup with the carcass and froze what we didn't eat that night. A couple of servings of dark meat finally got frozen. So, 20 pounds - just right.

I've noticed that there's a big jump in flesh to bone ratio at around 19-20 lbs. An 18 lb. bird just isn't big enough. A 22 lb. bird feeds my army with plenty left, without looking a ton bigger.

Luckily, no one asked for seconds. We have lots of side dishes I like to make, though my husband keeps telling me that I make too much food. No one else complains.

My sister cooked a 9 lb turkey for 3 people. We did a 21 lb for 4 people. LOL I just went looking for a turkey that looked good and the best ones were all 20-22 lbs. So that's what we did. I want leftovers -- for sandwiches, a second round of turkey and dressing and to make other dishes if there is enough. I haven't ever had a problem using the leftovers.