How to Fix 10 Common Thanksgiving Problems

A guide to get you over some of the holiday dinner’s most common hurdles.

Problem: You Don’t Know How Big a Turkey to Buy

You want to be sure you have enough turkey but have no clue how many pounds you need for the number of guests you’re going to have.

Solution

If you need only enough turkey to make it through Thanksgiving dinner: Buy ¾ to 1 pound per person.

If you want enough leftovers for the long weekend: Calculate 1 pounds (or slightly more) per person. Get leftover turkey recipes and turkey sandwich ideas.

If you need a large turkey: Consider buying two 10- to 12-pound birds and roasting them side by side. Small turkeys cook (and defrost) much more quickly than supersize ones, and they tend to stay moister. Print out this simple turkey recipe to get started.