All About Turkey: Dinner Party Fun Facts to Side Dish Ideas

Get a Bundle Quote

The Hartford offers the only auto and home insurance endorsed by AARP.

Start Quote

In America, turkey is almost synonymous with the Thanksgiving holiday. A roast turkey with dressing, cranberry sauce and all the trimmings is a time-honored tradition that many of us associate with the first Pilgrim harvest feast. However, according to the Farmer’s Almanac, historians have no evidence that turkey was even served at that dinner!

When the journals of Edward Winslow, one of the Plymouth pilgrims, resurfaced and were reprinted after 200 years, readers in the mid-1850s associated the idea of fall wild turkey hunting with Thanksgiving.
Later, a popular publication, Godey’s Lady’s Book began publishing turkey recipes.
Finally, when Abraham Lincoln declared Thanksgiving Day a holiday in 1863, the Thanksgiving turkey dinner tradition began.

Here are some interesting tidbits and tips to inspire you during turkey season.

Turkey Trivia

Ready to gobble up some turkey trivia? Here are some fun facts about turkey to share over Thanksgiving dinner, dessert or the shared family digestion time afterwards.

Turkey All Year

According to the National Turkey Federation, in the United States, just about 5 billion pounds of turkey is consumed each year. That’s just about 15 pounds of turkey per person!

America’s National Bird?

Despite what you may have heard, Benjamin Franklin did not suggest replacing the bald eagle with the wild turkey as America’s national bird. However, there is a grain of truth to the story.

It grew out of a comment in a letter Franklin wrote to his daughter, criticizing the sketch of the eagle on the Golden Seal. Franklin felt it looked more like a turkey.

Tons of Turkey

In 2024, the top states in terms of turkey production were:

Minnesota: 32 million birds
North Carolina: 27 million birds
Arkansas: 25 million birds
Indiana: 20 million birds
Missouri: ~16 million birds

Talking Turkey

Turkeys have over 20 different vocal sounds, and the male’s “gobble” sound carries up to 20 miles.

Fact or Fiction: Does Eating Turkey Make You Tired?

The myth that eating turkey will make you sleepy is just that. A myth. The idea that Tryptophan, an amino acid found in turkey causes drowsiness was mentioned in a 1997 episode of Seinfeld. Yet science doesn’t support the turkey/sleep connection.

Table Time: What’s On Your Plate?

Health Benefits of Turkey

In addition to being delicious and easy to cook, turkey offers many health benefits.

The dark meat on turkey is high in iron. And a cooked turkey breast provides 24 grams of protein, yet only 6 grams of fat – that’s just 10% of the recommended daily amount. Turkey is also a good low cholesterol alternative to red meats and even chicken, providing just 60 grams of cholesterol in a turkey breast compared to a chicken breast with 70 grams of cholesterol.

And there’s even a skincare bonus. Turkey helps your skin look great because it’s a good source of Vitamin B3, or niacin.

Turkey Alternatives

Not everyone wants to eat turkey for their holiday meals, whether you’re vegetarian or just don’t enjoy the taste. But you can still serve dishes that are as delicious as they are nutritious. Consider offering a vegetarian Thanksgiving turkey alternative like a tofu-rkey, or opt for hearty dishes like harvest vegetable stew that can be eaten standalone or as a side.

Turkey for Two?

If a small turkey is still too large for your holiday dinner, look for turkey breasts or a stuffed turkey roll at the supermarket or farmer’s market. For a new twist on turkey, make a small turkey pot pie with cranberry relish. Create a healthy turkey stir fry with water chestnuts and broccoli for added nutrition and crunch.

Keep in mind that your Thanksgiving meat doesn’t need to be turkey. Consider trying Cornish game hen, quail or even a small ham as an option for smaller Thanksgiving meals.

Turkey Side Dish Inspiration

What should you serve alongside your turkey to round out your holiday dinner? Depending on your tastes and dietary restrictions, you have many options to choose from.

Harvest vegetables like squash, pumpkin and brussels sprouts are great choices because they’re tasty, good for you, in season and easy to find, especially if you grew them in your own vegetable garden. Adding steamed or roasted dark green vegetable like kale or swiss chard adds additional flavor and color to your Thanksgiving table, as do pickled beets. Consider a raw green cabbage and Granny Smith apple salad with a simple dressing of lemon, olive oil and honey for a crisp, refreshing bite on a potentially otherwise heavy plate.

When it comes to cranberry sauce, enjoy a lively family debate of which is better: canned or homemade. If you opt to make your own, you can find creative ways to cut down on the sugar content by using honey, agave or fresh orange juice instead. Want to add a little spice? Consider adding a Fresno pepper for an unexpected kick.

Lastly, the bread. To make sure everyone at the table can enjoy a warm loaf, considering choosing a gluten-free bread basket that includes rolls made with almond or coconut flour for those with dietary restrictions.

Bring out your tried-and-true heirloom family recipes and share your holiday memories with the younger generation.

Beyond Turkey Sandwiches: Creative Leftovers

For many Americans, one of the best parts of Thanksgiving dinner happens after: the leftover sandwich. But if you want to try something new, it’s easy to find creative turkey leftover recipes that are frugal, nutritious and delicious to boot.

Use your leftover Thanksgiving turkey to make light and easy meals such as:

Remember, cooked turkey also freezes well so you could also freeze slices to enjoy later.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Whether you plan a traditional Thanksgiving meal, a turkey-with-a-twist dinner or a new take on Thanksgiving altogether, we hope you enjoy a holiday full of family, friends and food.

Tips To Navigate the Road of Life

We go the extra mile to deliver insights and brain teasers straight to your inbox. Start your free subscription from The Hartford today.

Wellness Nutrition & Recipes