Thanksgiving dinner is getting a little more competitive this year, and that’s good news for Americans trying to put a holiday feast on the table without overspending.
Walmart, Target, Aldi, and Amazon have announced Thanksgiving meal deals for 2026, with advertised prices ranging from $25 to under $39. Each retailer promises familiar holiday favorites, including turkey and traditional side dishes, but the offers aren’t identical.
Some meals are designed for 10 guests, while others suit smaller gatherings. The ingredients, turkey sizes, delivery options, and promotional deadlines also vary.
Before you fill your cart, here are nine things to know about this year’s Thanksgiving dinner deals.
Walmart’s $35 Meal Can Feed 10 People.
Walmart is making a strong pitch to families hosting a full Thanksgiving table.
The retailer’s 2026 Holiday Meal Basket costs approximately $35 and is designed to feed 10 people, bringing the advertised price to just $3.50 per person.
According to Walmart’s October 28 announcement, the basket contains 26 items, including a Butterball turkey, Stove Top stuffing, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, dinner rolls, and ingredients for several casseroles.
The list even includes enough to make pumpkin pie with whipped topping.
The offer runs through December 24, giving shoppers more flexibility than a Thanksgiving-only promotion.
However, the $35 estimate depends on specified ingredient weights, including the turkey. Actual checkout prices may vary.
Related: Walmart Stays Closed on Thanksgiving, Nov. 26, While One-Hour Express Pickup Rolls Out Nationwide
Aldi Offers a 16-Pound Turkey in Its Under-$39 Meal.
Aldi is taking a slightly different approach, focusing on a traditional Thanksgiving meal with a generously sized turkey.
Its 2026 Thanksgiving offer costs under $39 for 10 people and includes a 16-pound Farmer’s Choice whole turkey.
According to Aldi’s official announcement, the shopping list also covers stuffing, sweet potatoes, rolls, cranberries, peas, carrots, celery, and pumpkin pie ingredients.
That works out to less than $3.90 per person.
Aldi based its meal on the traditional Thanksgiving grocery basket tracked by the American Farm Bureau Federation.
One advantage is simplicity. Shoppers don’t need coupons, loyalty cards, or special memberships to access the advertised prices.
For families who want a classic holiday dinner without hunting through multiple promotions, that’s an attractive option.
Target’s $30 Thanksgiving Meal Is Designed for Six.
Not everyone is hosting a crowd this Thanksgiving, and Target’s offer reflects that.
The retailer announced a $30 Thanksgiving meal designed to serve six people, or $5 per person.
The basket includes a Butterball Premium Whole Young Turkey weighing up to 10 pounds, Good & Gather russet potatoes, Ocean Spray cranberry sauce, Stove Top stuffing, Heinz turkey gravy, and other ingredients.
Target also includes green beans, cream of mushroom soup, French fried onions, and a two-count package of take-and-bake baguettes.
The promotion runs from November 8 through November 29.
As Target’s announcement explains, the $30 price is calculated before taxes.
For a smaller household, buying a six-person meal rather than a larger basket may be more practical, even if the cost per person is higher.
Related: Free Up the Oven This Thanksgiving: COSORI vs Ninja Air Fryer vs Ninja Flip Toaster Oven
Amazon Has the Lowest Advertised Basket Price at $25
Amazon has entered the Thanksgiving price competition with a $25 meal deal.
Its offer includes an 8-pound Butterball frozen turkey, Ocean Spray cranberry sauce, Kraft Mac & Cheese, Stove Top stuffing, potatoes, green beans, gravy ingredients, rolls, and pumpkin pie ingredients.
According to Amazon’s November 2 announcement, the meal is available through November 26, while supplies last.
Amazon also promotes Same-Day Delivery in eligible locations.
There’s one important catch when comparing prices: Amazon doesn’t specify how many people its $25 basket is intended to feed.
That means shoppers shouldn’t automatically assume it’s the best deal per person simply because it has the lowest advertised total.
Related:15 Wallet-Friendly Life Hacks That’ll Actually Make a Difference
Walmart Wins on Advertised Price Per Person
The total grocery bill tells only part of the story.
Walmart’s $35 basket feeds 10 people for approximately $3.50 each, while Aldi’s under-$39 offer works out to less than $3.90 per person.
Target’s six-person meal costs $5 per person.
Amazon’s $25 offer cannot be compared on the same basis because its advertised meal doesn’t include a serving estimate.
For larger gatherings, Walmart currently offers the lowest stated per-person price among these deals.
However, households should consider whether the advertised portions, turkey size, and included side dishes match their guests’ expectations.
A bigger basket isn’t necessarily a better purchase if much of the food goes unused.
Target and Amazon Are Advertising Turkey at 79 Cents Per Pound
Shoppers who prefer building their own Thanksgiving menu may find turkey promotions more useful than complete meal bundles.
Target is bringing back its Good & Gather frozen turkey at 79 cents per pound wherever it’s sold.
Amazon is also advertising frozen turkey at 79 cents per pound from November 1 through November 26.
Walmart’s meal basket includes a Butterball frozen turkey priced at 97 cents per pound.
These prices apply to specified products, not every turkey in each retailer’s meat department.
Before choosing a store based on turkey prices alone, check the available weights and calculate what the whole bird will actually cost.
Not Every Thanksgiving Meal Includes Dessert
Here’s a detail that’s easy to miss when comparing Thanksgiving baskets.
Walmart, Aldi, and Amazon include pumpkin pie ingredients in their advertised meals.
Walmart’s basket features pumpkin puree, evaporated milk, frozen pie crusts, and whipped topping.
Aldi includes pumpkin pie mix, pie crusts, milk, and whipping cream, while Amazon provides pumpkin puree, evaporated milk, and pie crusts.
Target’s $30 basket, however, doesn’t include dessert ingredients.
That doesn’t make Target’s offer a poor deal, but families planning to serve pie should budget for it separately.
The same logic applies to any extra appetizers, beverages, or side dishes your household considers essential.
Delivery Options Could Affect the Final Cost
Convenience matters during Thanksgiving week, especially when shoppers are juggling cooking, cleaning, and family plans.
Walmart offers in-store shopping, pickup, and delivery for its meal basket. The retailer also advertises a free Express Delivery promotion through November 30, subject to specific conditions.
Aldi lets customers shop in-store or use online ordering and delivery partners, though additional fees may apply.
Amazon offers Same-Day Delivery for its Thanksgiving groceries in eligible locations, with free delivery advertised on qualifying orders of $25 or more.
Target shoppers can check local pickup and delivery availability before ordering.
For anyone watching every dollar, it’s worth comparing the final checkout total rather than relying only on the promotional meal price.
Delivery fees, taxes, product substitutions, and regional pricing can change what shoppers ultimately pay.
The Shopping Deadlines Are Different
Timing could determine which deal works best for your household.
Walmart’s holiday meal basket is already available and runs through December 24.
Aldi’s Thanksgiving promotion runs through November 25, but certain ingredients arrive later. Its 16-pound turkey becomes available November 4, while pumpkin pie mix is scheduled for November 11.
Target’s advertised $30 meal prices apply from November 8 through November 29.
Amazon’s $25 Thanksgiving meal is available through November 26, while supplies last.
For shoppers planning, checking ingredient availability before making a trip could prevent an extra grocery run.
It’s also worth remembering that Thanksgiving falls on November 26 this year, so waiting until the holiday itself may leave fewer shopping options.
Which Thanksgiving Dinner Deal Is Worth Choosing?
No single deal works for every American household.
Walmart stands out for larger families seeking the lowest advertised cost per person. Aldi offers a traditional 10-person meal built around a 16-pound turkey, while Target’s smaller basket may suit households expecting fewer guests.
Amazon offers the lowest advertised total price and a convenient delivery option for eligible shoppers, although its serving count isn’t specified.
The smartest approach is to start with your guest list, decide which Thanksgiving dishes matter most, and compare the complete grocery cost.
After all, the best Thanksgiving deal isn’t necessarily the one with the smallest price tag. It’s the one that puts the food your family actually wants on the table without leaving your holiday budget stretched thin.
.jpg){kind=link}
