Thanksgiving Turkey: why we eat it Short answer

• Turkeys became the traditional centerpiece because they were plentiful, large enough to feed many people, and relatively inexpensive to raise or acquire in early America. Over time, cultural influences and national holiday-building helped cement turkey as the default main dish for Thanksgiving in the United States.

Background and key factors

• Abundance and practicality: In the 18th–19th centuries, turkeys were widely available in North America and could feed a family or a crowd, making them an economical choice for a big celebratory meal. They also required less ongoing work than many other farm animals, which reinforced their suitability for a feast that gathered relatives and friends.

• Role in national holiday framing: The shift toward a broader, standardized Thanksgiving celebration in the 19th century—spurred by writers and advocates who helped define the holiday—favored a single, impressive centerpiece. A large roast turkey fit that role well and became a recognizable symbol of the meal.

• Cultural reinforcement: Figures and publications in the 19th century, including editorial campaigns and popular consumer culture, helped entrench turkey as the quintessential Thanksgiving dish in American households. The pattern persisted as Thanksgiving became a national holiday during the Civil War era and beyond, with turkey continuing to serve as the practical and symbolic centerpiece.

Common questions answered

• Was the Pilgrims’ first feast the origin of turkey on Thanksgiving? Not exactly. The Pilgrims’ 1621 dinner is often cited in popular stories, but the modern tradition of serving turkey on Thanksgiving emerged more fully in the 19th century as a practical and symbolic centerpiece for a large meal.

• Are turkeys uniquely suited for large crowds? Yes. A single turkey provides a substantial amount of meat and is well-suited for serving many guests, which is ideal for a communal holiday feast.

• Do other foods play a role? Yes. Thanksgiving tables often include stuffing, cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes, and pies; these sides complement the turkey and contribute to the traditional menu, but the turkey remains the central centerpiece in many households.

Notes on origin stories

• Some popular anecdotes attribute the emphasis on turkey to cultural advocacy or specific historical moments (e.g., editorials urging a national feast), but the ordinary practical factors—availability, size, cost—were primary drivers of the turkey's rise to centerpiece status.

• The association between Thanksgiving and turkey has persisted into modern times, reinforced by media, popular culture, and culinary traditions across the United States.

If you’d like, I can pull more precise historical timelines or point you to concise sources that summarize these points for quick reference.