As the holidays approach, many people look forward to enjoying a delicious honey baked turkey as the centerpiece of their holiday meals. However, with calorie counting and dietary restrictions being common, the question arises: just how many calories are in a honey baked turkey?
To determine the calorie count of a honey baked turkey, we need to look at the size of the turkey as well as how it is prepared. Honey baked turkeys can vary greatly in size, from small 4-6 pound turkeys to large 20+ pound turkeys. The more turkey there is, the more calories it will contain. Preparation method is also key – is the turkey basted in honey glaze or left plain? Is the skin removed or left on? Factoring in these elements will give us an accurate calorie estimate.
In this article, we will provide calorie estimates for different sizes of whole honey baked turkeys from popular grocery stores like Safeway and HoneyBaked Ham. We will factor in whether the turkeys have skin on or off and are glazed or unglazed. Read on for the full nutrition breakdown!
Calories in a Small Honey Baked Turkey (4-8 pounds)
Small honey baked turkeys in the 4-8 pound range are common choices for smaller holiday gatherings. Here are the calorie estimates for this size turkey:
Plain Small Turkey with Skin On
A 6 pound plain roasted turkey with skin on contains approximately:
– 1,068 calories total
– 170 calories per 3 ounce serving
So if you eat a 6 ounce portion, that would be about 340 calories. Over 1/4 of the turkey would provide around 600 calories.
Plain Small Turkey with Skin Off
A 6 pound plain roasted turkey with skin removed contains approximately:
– 792 calories total
– 125 calories per 3 ounce serving
Removing the skin significantly reduces the calorie count. A 6 ounce portion of skinless turkey would have 250 calories, while 1/4 of the turkey would be under 500 calories.
Glazed Small Turkey with Skin On
A 6 pound honey glazed turkey with skin on contains approximately:
– 1,272 calories total
– 200 calories per 3 ounce serving
The honey glaze adds extra calories on top of the roasted turkey. A 6 ounce serving jumps up to 400 calories, and a quarter of the turkey would be over 650 calories.
Glazed Small Turkey with Skin Off
A 6 pound honey glazed turkey with no skin contains approximately:
– 984 calories total
– 155 calories per 3 ounce serving
Removing the skin reduces the calorie impact of the glaze. A serving is around 310 calories and a quarter turkey has under 500 calories.
Calories in a Medium Honey Baked Turkey (10-14 pounds)
Medium 10-14 pound honey baked turkeys are a popular choice for feeding larger gatherings. Here are the calorie estimates:
Plain Medium Turkey with Skin On
A 12 pound plain roasted turkey with skin on contains approximately:
– 2,016 calories total
– 167 calories per 3 ounce serving
A 6 ounce serving would have 334 calories. Consuming a quarter of the turkey would equal around 1,000 calories.
Plain Medium Turkey with Skin Off
A 12 pound plain roasted turkey with skin removed contains approximately:
– 1,584 calories total
– 132 calories per 3 ounce serving
Removing the skin reduces the total calorie count. A serving has 264 calories while a quarter turkey has 700 calories.
Glazed Medium Turkey with Skin On
A 12 pound honey glazed turkey with skin on contains approximately:
– 2,400 calories total
– 200 calories per 3 ounce serving
The glaze adds extra calories on top of the roasted turkey. A serving has 400 calories and a quarter turkey has 1,200 calories.
Glazed Medium Turkey with Skin Off
A 12 pound honey glazed turkey with no skin contains approximately:
– 1,872 calories total
– 156 calories per 3 ounce serving
The skinless turkey helps offset the calorie impact of the glaze. A serving has 312 calories and a quarter turkey equals under 800 calories.
Calories in a Large Honey Baked Turkey (16-20+ pounds)
For big holiday gatherings, large 16-20+ pound turkeys are common. Here are the calorie counts:
Plain Large Turkey with Skin On
A 18 pound plain roasted turkey with skin on contains approximately:
– 2,808 calories total
– 156 calories per 3 ounce serving
A serving equals 312 calories. Consuming a quarter of the turkey would equal around 1,400 calories.
Plain Large Turkey with Skin Off
A 18 pound plain roasted turkey with no skin contains approximately:
– 2,268 calories total
– 126 calories per 3 ounce serving
Removing skin reduces calories to 252 per serving. A quarter of the turkey would have around 1,100 calories.
Glazed Large Turkey with Skin On
An 18 pound honey glazed turkey with skin on contains approximately:
– 3,264 calories total
– 181 calories per 3 ounce serving
The glaze adds a significant amount of calories. A serving has 362 calories, while a quarter turkey has over 1,600 calories.
Glazed Large Turkey with Skin Off
An 18 pound honey glazed turkey with no skin contains approximately:
– 2,700 calories total
– 150 calories per 3 ounce serving
Removing skin helps offset the calorie impact of the glaze somewhat. A serving would have 300 calories and a quarter turkey equals 1,350 calories.
Calories Per Ounce of Turkey Meat
To summarize the calorie counts, here is an overview of calories per ounce of turkey meat with and without skin and glaze:
| Turkey Size and Preparation | Calories per Ounce |
|---|---|
| Small Plain Turkey, Skin On | 56 |
| Small Plain Turkey, Skin Off | 42 |
| Small Glazed Turkey, Skin On | 67 |
| Small Glazed Turkey, Skin Off | 52 |
| Medium Plain Turkey, Skin On | 56 |
| Medium Plain Turkey, Skin Off | 44 |
| Medium Glazed Turkey, Skin On | 67 |
| Medium Glazed Turkey, Skin Off | 52 |
| Large Plain Turkey, Skin On | 52 |
| Large Plain Turkey, Skin Off | 42 |
| Large Glazed Turkey, Skin On | 60 |
| Large Glazed Turkey, Skin Off | 50 |
As you can see, plain roasted turkey ranges from 42-56 calories per ounce depending on size and whether the skin is left on. Glazing adds approximately 11-15 calories per ounce. Removing the skin reduces calories by 10-14 calories per ounce.
Conclusion
So in summary, the calorie count of a honey baked turkey can vary greatly based on:
– Size of the turkey (smaller turkeys have less calories)
– Preparation method (glazing adds calories, removing skin reduces calories)
– Portion size (a few ounces vs a quarter of the turkey)
But in general, for a typical 12-14 pound honey glazed turkey with skin, you can estimate around 200 calories per 3 ounce serving, or 67 calories per ounce. Consuming a quarter of the turkey would equal around 1,200 calories.
Being mindful of portion sizes and removing skin when possible can help reduce calorie intake. But the main takeaway is that honey baked turkey, enjoyed in reasonable portions, can be part of a balanced holiday meal. Moderation and mindfulness are key for any holiday indulgence!