Short answer: About 46 million turkeys are eaten in the United States on Thanksgiving, which is roughly 21% of the total turkeys produced in the U.S. each year. [source: USDA-based estimates cited by major outlets]

Details and context

• The USDA and industry sources estimate that Thanksgiving dinners account for about 46 million turkeys consumed annually in the U.S. This figure represents roughly one-fifth of the roughly 216 million turkeys produced in the United States each year.

• Regional production can be informative for understanding supply chains: Minnesota, Missouri, Indiana, Arkansas, and North Carolina are among the leading turkey-producing states, with Minnesota often cited as the largest producer. While production varies year to year, the national figure for Thanksgiving remains around 46 million birds.

• Some outlets occasionally present variant phrasing (e.g., “around 46 million” or “about 21% of annual production”) but consistently place the Thanksgiving consumption near the 46-million mark. This consistency across sources helps anchor the commonly cited figure for “turkeys eaten on Thanksgiving.”

Notes and nuances

• The 46-million figure refers to turkeys consumed at Thanksgiving—either as whole birds or primary turkey servings at meals. It does not imply every American eats turkey, but rather that the aggregate Thanksgiving consumption is about 46 million turkeys across households and events.

• The annual production figure (~216.5 million) provides context for why Thanksgiving consumption is a sizable share of yearly turkey use, but it also indicates a broader, year-round poultry market.

If you’d like, I can tailor the numbers to a specific year (e.g., latest USDA data) or translate these figures into approximate pounds or meal counts for a more practical view.