Where to Find the Cheapest Thanksgiving Dinner in 2025
As grocery prices keep rising, families all across America are looking for ways to host a holiday meal without letting the costs spiral out of control.
Some are picking up fast-food alternatives, others are hosting smaller gatherings, and a few are even splitting the bill with guests. If you’re planning a full spread, tracking down the cheapest Thanksgiving dinner in 2025 will be a priority.
A new analysis from NetCredit looked at how much a classic Thanksgiving meal costs across major grocery stores.
The team compared 19 common ingredients and built a sample dinner designed to feed six to eight people without breaking the bank.
The results show just how wide the price gap can be, depending on where you choose to shop.
The Most Affordable Basket Overall
Walmart came out far ahead of the pack with the lowest total cost.
NetCredit researchers compiled a basket that included:
Turkey
Potatoes
Canned goods
Rolls
Dairy items
Baking staples
Dessert essentials
The entire list came to $52.74, making the Walmart Thanksgiving meal price the most budget-friendly among all the chains.
The rest of the pack landed closely together:
Walmart: $52.74
H-E-B: $60.79
King Soopers: $61.77
Smith’s Food and Drug: $62.16
Harris Teeter: $62.27
Walmart is also promoting a $40 meal bundle this year, though it includes fewer items than previous editions, which helps explain the lower advertised price.
Where Individual Ingredients Cost Less
When looking at the Thanksgiving dinner cost comparison by item, no single store dominates every category. But, here’s what NetCredit found.
Walmart offered the lowest prices for 10 of the 19 essentials, including potatoes, canned vegetables, dairy staples, and baking basics.
Target had the cheapest cinnamon and sweet potatoes, and is selling a smaller four-person meal kit for $20.
H-E-B offered the most affordable dinner rolls and milk, and tied with Walmart on stuffing mix.
These ingredient-by-ingredient differences show why shoppers often mix stores to build an affordable holiday menu.
Turkey Prices Across Major Stores
The cost of a frozen 12-pound turkey varied quite a bit. The grocery store turkey prices in the study ranged from just over $11, to more than $25.
Here’s a quick look at the price tiers:
Lowest Price Tier: $11 to $12
Walmart: $11.12
H-E-B: $11.64
ACME, City Market, Harris Teeter, Target: about $11.88
Mid-Range Tier: $14 to $18
Kroger: $14.28
Albertsons: $17.48
QFC, Shaw’s, Star Market, Tom Thumb: about $17.88
Highest Price Tier: $20+
Safeway: $19.08
Jewel-Osco and Ralphs: $23.88
Vons: $25.68
Nearly half the retailers offered a turkey under $12, which is impressive, given the national supply constraints.
The turkey population is at a 40-year low, and higher wholesale prices have made bargains harder to find.
Why Prices Vary So Widely
Lower turkey counts, ongoing cases of avian flu, and reduced egg production have all contributed to a tighter supply.
Wholesale costs have also climbed, but retailers are still competing for shoppers. That competition is keeping at least some options affordable.
These findings also show where shoppers in certain regions face higher sticker prices. For example, stores in the Chicago area and parts of Southern California tended to land in the highest tier.
How We Can Stretch Our Budget
The study suggests a few budget-friendly Thanksgiving ideas if you’re hoping to save money this year:
Compare stores on key items rather than relying on one basket price.
Look for store brands, which often track below national labels.
Check for smaller meal bundles that offer better value for small gatherings.
Mix-and-match; buy the turkey in one place, sides in another, and baking items elsewhere.
A bit of planning can make a noticeable difference, especially with large holiday menus.
Seasonal Bundles for All
If you’re hoping to keep costs down without sacrificing tradition, the right store can make a clear difference.
A little price-checking goes a long way and, for most of us, an affordable Thanksgiving may come from shopping at a few different stores or taking advantage of seasonal bundles.
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