How to choose and cook the perfect Thanksgiving turkey

The first step toward purchasing a turkey is figuring out exactly how big your bird should be. The accepted rule of thumb is that each guest should have at least one pound set aside for them. Most figure about a pound and a quarter per person and some go up to a pound and a half. So if you’re cooking for 10 people, aim for a 15-pound bird. If you’re cooking for a crowd larger than 10, consider buying two smaller birds. Gigantic turkeys take longer to defrost, can cook unevenly and are awkward to carve.