Last checked . Picks are based on the prices, rates, fees and terms each provider publishes, checked at the source. We never rank products by commission. See how we’re funded.
Thanksgiving dinner cost for a classic meal for 10 people was $55.18 last year, about $5.52 a person, according to the American Farm Bureau Federation’s 2025 survey. That was down 5% from 2024. The Farm Bureau’s 2026 number is not out yet, so this guide uses last year’s figures as a baseline and adds what is known about this year. Prices vary by store and region, so treat these as benchmarks rather than a quote for your own grocery bill.
What the Thanksgiving dinner cost last year, item by item
The Farm Bureau’s 2025 survey priced these items, with the change from 2024.
- A 16-pound frozen turkey cost $21.50, or $1.34 a pound, down 16.3%.
- A 14-ounce bag of cubed stuffing mix cost $3.71, down 9%.
- Two frozen pie crusts cost $3.37, down 0.8%.
- A half pint of whipping cream cost $1.87, up 3.2%.
- One pound of frozen peas cost $2.03, up 17.2%.
- A dozen dinner rolls cost $3.56, down 14.6%.
- A 30-ounce can of pumpkin pie mix cost $4.16, up 0.1%.
- One gallon of whole milk cost $3.73, up 16.3%.
- Three pounds of sweet potatoes cost $4.00, up 37%.
- A one-pound vegetable tray of carrots and celery cost $1.36, up 61.3%.
- Twelve ounces of fresh cranberries cost $2.28, down 2.8%.
- Miscellaneous ingredients cost $3.61, down 4.7%.
An expanded menu that adds boneless ham, Russet potatoes, and frozen green beans cost $77.09, up $21.91 from the classic meal. The Farm Bureau’s volunteer shoppers checked prices in the first week of November, in stores and online, using store apps and websites. They did not use coupons or combined-purchase deals, so a savvy shopper can often beat the total.
What is known about Thanksgiving dinner cost in 2026
The Farm Bureau checks prices in early November, so its 2026 total will come later than the grocery ads. One retailer has already advertised its price. Aldi says a Thanksgiving meal for 10 costs less than $39, under $4 a person, according to Tasting Table. The basket includes a 16-pound turkey, produce such as sweet potatoes and cranberries, sides such as stuffing and rolls, and pumpkin pie. Shoppers can buy the items from October 14 to November 25, with some arriving later: fresh cranberries from October 26, turkey from November 4, and pumpkin pie mix from November 11.
Tasting Table calls Aldi’s price roughly 30% below last year’s national average. That comparison is loose: it sets one store’s advertised basket against the Farm Bureau’s survey of many stores, and the two baskets are not identical. It shows Aldi’s price is low, not by exactly how much.
How to bring your Thanksgiving dinner cost down
- Price the classic menu first. The gap between $55.18 and $77.09 shows how much extra dishes add. Decide which extras are worth it.
- Watch the items that jumped. Last year sweet potatoes rose 37%, the vegetable tray 61.3%, frozen peas 17.2%, and milk 16.3%. Comparing unit prices across stores matters most on these.
- Buy turkey when the sale starts. Turkey is the biggest single item. A frozen bird bought early costs less than a fresh one on the day.
- Use store apps and loyalty prices. The Farm Bureau did not use coupons, so you may beat its total.
- Scale to the guest list. The survey assumes ten people with leftovers; cook for the number you have.
- Track the full holiday bill. Food is only part of it. See our guides on holiday shipping deadlines and holiday airfares.
Editor’s take
Last year’s decline came mostly from turkey, which fell 16.3%. Several side dishes went the other way, and that is the part to watch this year. Aldi’s under-$39 basket gives you a concrete number to beat, but it is one store’s package, so compare it with your own list before assuming it will work for your family. When the Farm Bureau publishes its 2026 total, we will update this page. In the meantime, set a per-person budget now, and keep an eye on the same cost pressures in our look at the holiday sales forecast.
