Question: I am hosting Thanksgiving this year for the first time. I am starting to plan ahead. How big of a turkey would I need to buy to feed 15 people?

Answer: It is never too early to start planning for Thanksgiving dinner!

In general, plan on 1 to 1 ½ pounds of turkey per person (this allows for leftovers!):

·         12-15 lb turkey for 10-12 people

·         15-18 lb turkey for 14-16 people

·         18-22 lb turkey for 20-22 people

Properly thawing your whole turkey is key to a smooth Thanksgiving Day:

·         To thaw a frozen turkey in the refrigerator, allow 24 hours per five pounds. A 12 to 16-pound turkey would require three to four days to thaw.

·         To thaw the turkey in cold running water requires 30 minutes per pound.  A 12-pound turkey would take about 6 hours to thaw. If you use this method make sure the turkey is wrapped tightly in plastic-wrap to avoid leakage.

Preparing a whole turkey can be tricky, make sure you allow enough time for it to cook.

·         Allow 12-15 minutes for every pound of unstuffed turkey.  A 16-pound turkey will require about 3-4 hours to cook.

·         Allow 15-18 minutes per pound for a stuffed turkey.  A 16-pound stuffed turkey will require about 4-5 hours to cook.