The Cheapest Grocery Stores To Buy These 19 Thanksgiving ...

By Alice Gibbs

Senior Life and Trends Reporter

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As grocery prices continue to rise, many Americans are looking for ways to celebrate Thanksgiving while keeping a more-watchful eye on spending.

Some people are opting for a fast-food option this season, while others have even been known to charge friends and family per head for their meal.

But a new analysis from online lender NetCredit has revealed which shops will help budgets stretch further, with some making a double-digit difference in the cost of hosting this year.

NetCredit compared the prices of 19 classic Thanksgiving ingredients across major national and regional grocery chains, building a hypothetical dinner for six to eight people.

The study identified the cheapest turkey, the lowest-priced ingredients, and the most-affordable stores overall—and, this year, one big-box retailer stands far ahead of the competition.

Walmart Offers Cheapest Thanksgiving Meal

Researchers priced up a basket of a number of Thanksgiving essentials—including a whole turkey, potatoes, stuffing, canned goods, baked-good staples and dessert ingredients—sourced from ZIP codes in three large states where each chain operates.

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The result? Walmart’s basket totaled $52.74, making it the most-affordable option among 19 major grocery chains.

Top 5 Cheapest Thanksgiving Dinners

Walmart: $52.74
H-E-B: $60.79
King Soopers: $61.77
Smith’s Food and Drug: $62.16
Harris Teeter $62.27

Walmart’s own seasonal promotion—a $40 Thanksgiving meal bundle advertised to feed 10—returned for 2025.

But the report also offered a warning. The Walmart bundle contains 15 items this year, down from 21, which partially explains the retailer’s advertised 25-percent price drop.

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Ola Majekodunmi, personal finance expert and founder of All Things Money, told Newsweek: "Having affordable options this Thanksgiving is crucial as many households continue to face tight budgets and higher everyday costs. Holiday meals are central to family traditions, and rising prices can force people to cut back or skip items that help celebrate the occasion. Finding affordable food options can help families celebrate without added financial strain, and accumulating unnecessary debt."

Ingredient by Ingredient: Where Shoppers Save the Most

While Walmart dominated overall, the cheapest store varies depending on what is on your list.

Walmart was the lowest-priced source for 10 of the 19 essentials, including core items such as potatoes, canned vegetables, dairy and baking basics.

Target offered the cheapest cinnamon and sweet potatoes, making it an appealing stop for bakers and casserole-makers. The chain also sells a $20 four-person meal bundle.

H-E-B offered the lowest price on dinner rolls and milk, and tied with Walmart for the price of stuffing.

Who Sells the Cheapest Turkey?

Despite a tighter national supply and higher wholesale costs, nearly half of the major grocery stores in the study offered a frozen 12-pound turkey for under $12.

Walmart had the cheapest turkey at $11.12, about 50 cents below H-E-B ($11.64).
Seven chains—including Target and several Kroger-owned brands—clustered at $11.88.
Shoppers in Chicago and Southern California face higher sticker prices: Jewel-Osco, Vons and Ralphs all charged $20+ for a similar bird.

The price variation comes as the U.S. turkey population dips to a 40-year low, with 195 million birds in 2025—a 3 percent year-over-year decline. Bird flu and related drops in egg production have constrained supply and pushed wholesale prices up roughly 40 percent.

"This roundup shows that while deals exist, the holiday season remains financially challenging," Majekodunmi said. "Walmart’s significantly cheaper basket and the availability of sub-$12 turkeys shows that retailers are competing to appeal to cost-conscious shoppers, which may come as a relief to shoppers this season.

"It's great to see that consumers can still enjoy an affordable holiday, but it's important to set strict budgets, compare prices carefully and look out for store-branded items, and reduced product bundles."

Methodology

NetCredit priced 19 essential Thanksgiving ingredients from major national and regional grocery chains, sampling costs from a key ZIP code in the three largest states where each store operates. The team calculated average ingredient prices and the total cost of preparing a meal for six to eight people. Turkey prices were evaluated separately.

Data is accurate as of November 2025. The analysis is for informational purposes only and is not financial advice.

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