Photo: Ms Jones from California, USA / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0 (headline overlay added by Trend Ranker)
A full Thanksgiving dinner for 10 can cost less than a single pizza delivery this year, if you know which store to walk into. The big grocers have released their Thanksgiving meal deals 2026 bundles, and the price war is real: Walmart is at $35 for 10 people, Aldi is under $39 for 10, Target is $30 for six, and Wegmans is under $5 a person for a party of eight.
Each deal has its own fine print, though: different start dates, different turkey sizes, state exclusions and delivery fees. We read the retailers' official announcements so you can compare them side by side and pick the one that fits your table. Thanksgiving is Thursday, Nov. 26, so some of these deals are already running and others start within days.
Key Takeaways
- Walmart: $35 for 10 people (26 items, including a Butterball turkey), available now through Dec. 24.
- Aldi: under $39 for 10 with a 16-pound turkey, no coupons or memberships; the turkey price starts Nov. 4.
- Target: $30 for six, Nov. 8–29, with a Butterball turkey up to 10 pounds.
- Wegmans: under $5 per person for eight, Nov. 8–28, with turkey pricing ending Nov. 22.
- For context, the American Farm Bureau Federation's 2025 survey put a classic dinner for 10 at $55.18.
Thanksgiving Meal Deals 2026 at a Glance
| Store | Price | Serves | Per person | Dates |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Walmart | $35 | 10 | $3.50 | Oct. 28–Dec. 24 |
| Aldi | Under $39 | 10 | Under $4 | Oct. 14–Nov. 25 |
| Target | $30 | 6 | $5 | Nov. 8–29 |
| Wegmans | Under $40 | 8 | Under $5 | Nov. 8–28 |
Those figures come straight from each company and assume the listed items at promotional prices. Your actual total depends on the turkey's weight, your location and whether you pay for delivery. Here is what is inside each basket.
The cheapest per-person price belongs to the biggest retailer, but the lowest headline price is somewhere else.
Walmart's $35 Thanksgiving Meal Deal for 10
Walmart's 2026 Holiday Meal Basket is the largest it has offered. According to Walmart's Oct. 28 announcement, it bundles 26 items for 10 people at $35, or $3.50 per person. The company says the basket has 18% more items than last year's and costs 12% less than those same items did a year ago, making it the lowest-priced one-click basket in the program's history.
What's in the Walmart basket
- Butterball frozen whole turkey (10–16 lbs) at $0.97 per pound
- Stove Top stuffing (2 boxes) and Great Value brown gravy mix
- 5 lb russet potatoes, 3 sweet potatoes and Jet-Puffed mini marshmallows
- Green beans, Campbell's cream of mushroom soup and French fried onions for green bean casserole
- JIFFY corn muffin mix and canned corn for corn casserole
- Fresh cranberries and brown-and-serve rolls
- Pumpkin, evaporated milk, pie crusts and whipped topping for pumpkin pie
The fine print
The $35 price is estimated using an average 13.5-pound turkey, so a heavier bird costs a little more. Prices are valid Oct. 28 through Dec. 24, 2026, in stores and online, and the basket is not available in Alaska, Hawaii, Oklahoma, Puerto Rico or Wisconsin. Pickup, shipping or delivery fees of $0 to $19.95 may apply.
Walmart is also offering free Express Delivery on the meal basket through Nov. 30 with the code THANKFUL. The order must include a Butterball turkey, Campbell's mushroom soup or Stove Top stuffing, with a $35 minimum. No membership is needed, there are no purchase limits, and you can even ask Sparky, Walmart's AI shopping assistant, to add the basket to your cart.
Walmart says 96% of the items are on rollback, and that the program has saved customers more than $350 million since 2022.
Aldi's Thanksgiving Meal Deal: 10 People for Under $39
Aldi's pitch is simplicity. Its Thanksgiving announcement promises a meal for 10 for under $39 with "no coupons, loyalty cards, minimum purchases or memberships required". Aldi CEO Atty McGrath said in the release that "Thanksgiving shouldn't require a calculator or a coupon strategy."
What's in the Aldi meal
- 16-pound Farmer's Choice whole turkey
- Cubed stuffing mix (3 bags)
- Sweet potatoes, baby carrots and celery
- Frozen peas and dinner rolls
- Fresh cranberries (12 oz)
- Pumpkin pie mix, pie crusts, heavy whipping cream and whole milk
Timing matters at Aldi
Not every item is on shelves yet. According to the release, the Farmer's Choice turkey arrives Nov. 4, cranberries have been available since Oct. 26, and pumpkin pie mix lands Nov. 11. All prices run through Nov. 25, the day before Thanksgiving. Products are marked with a turkey logo in stores, and the whole list can be added to an online cart in one click.
Aldi bases its meal on the American Farm Bureau Federation's classic Thanksgiving menu, which makes it easy to compare, and says its shoppers have saved an average of 26% on that meal versus the AFBF national average over the past five years. The under-$39 price also applies through DoorDash, Instacart and Uber Eats, though delivery and service fees may be added. If you order groceries through apps, our explainer on the DoorDash and Instacart deal covers what is changing.
Aldi gives you the biggest turkey. Target gives you the lowest total, if your table is smaller.
Target's $30 Thanksgiving Meal Deal for Six
For smaller gatherings, Target's $30 meal for six has the lowest headline price of the major chains. It runs Nov. 8 through Nov. 29 (prices before tax) and is not valid in Alaska or Hawaii.
What's in the Target meal
- Butterball Premium whole young turkey, up to 10 lbs
- 3 lb russet potatoes
- Ocean Spray jellied cranberry sauce
- Del Monte green beans (2 cans) and Campbell's cream of mushroom soup
- Good & Gather fried onions
- Stove Top stuffing and Heinz gravy
- Two Favorite Day baguettes
Note what is missing: there is no dessert in Target's bundle, so budget for a pie separately. Target is also selling Good & Gather turkey at 79 cents a pound and adding nearly 60 new food and drink items for the season. A YouGov survey commissioned by Target found that seven in 10 Americans value Thanksgiving food traditions.
Wegmans: Dinner for Eight Under $5 a Person
Wegmans shoppers in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic get a regional option. According to Wegmans' preview, its meal feeds eight for less than $5 per person, matching last year's cost. The list includes:
- 13-pound Shady Brook Farms frozen turkey
- Stove Top stuffing twin pack and McCormick brown gravy mix
- Russet potatoes, yams and onions
- JIFFY corn muffin mix and Wegmans macaroni and cheese
- Cream of mushroom soup and fried onions
- A Sara Lee frozen pumpkin pie
Promotions run Nov. 8–28, but frozen turkey prices end Nov. 22, so buy the bird early. The per-person price does not apply at the Astor Place and Brooklyn, N.Y., or Chestnut Hill, Mass., stores and is based on in-store promotional prices with Shoppers Club savings.
Thanksgiving Meal Deal Shopping Calendar
Because the deals start and end on different days, timing your shopping matters almost as much as choosing a store. Here is every key date from the retailers' announcements in one place:
| Date | What happens |
|---|---|
| Oct. 14 | Aldi Thanksgiving prices begin on most items |
| Oct. 26 | Aldi fresh cranberries arrive |
| Oct. 28 | Walmart Holiday Meal Basket launches |
| Wed., Nov. 4 | Aldi Farmer's Choice turkey price starts |
| Sun., Nov. 8 | Target $30 meal and Wegmans promotions begin |
| Wed., Nov. 11 | Aldi pumpkin pie mix arrives |
| Sun., Nov. 22 | Last day of Wegmans frozen turkey pricing |
| Wed., Nov. 25 | Last day of Aldi Thanksgiving prices |
| Thu., Nov. 26 | Thanksgiving Day |
| Sat., Nov. 28 | Wegmans Thanksgiving promotions end |
| Sun., Nov. 29 | Target $30 meal ends |
| Mon., Nov. 30 | Walmart's free Express Delivery code expires |
| Thu., Dec. 24 | Walmart basket prices end |
A practical rule: a frozen turkey needs about a day in the fridge for every four to five pounds, so a 16-pound bird needs to go in the fridge by the Sunday before Thanksgiving. Buying the turkey in the first or second week of November takes that pressure off, and it avoids the risk of popular sizes selling out.
Simple ways to stretch a meal deal
- Mix stores. Nothing stops you from buying one chain's turkey and another's sides. Target's bundle, for example, has no dessert, which you could pick up elsewhere.
- Count your guests honestly. A meal for six will not stretch to 10, and a basket for 10 may leave you with leftovers if only four people are coming.
- Check what you already have. Many kitchens already have gravy mix, spices or canned vegetables, so look before buying a full bundle.
- Read the weight. Walmart's headline price assumes a 13.5-pound turkey; Aldi's assumes 16 pounds. A different bird changes your total.
- Factor in fees. Pickup and delivery can add to the cost, so compare the final checkout price, not just the headline number.
Which Thanksgiving Meal Deal Is Right for You?
There is no single winner; it depends on your guest list and where you live.
- Feeding 10 or more: Walmart has the lowest per-person price and includes dessert. Aldi offers a bigger 16-pound turkey and needs no coupons.
- Hosting six or fewer: Target's $30 bundle is the cheapest total, but add a pie.
- Live in AK, HI, OK, PR or WI: Walmart's basket is excluded, and Target is out in Alaska and Hawaii, so check Aldi or a regional grocer.
- Want it delivered: Walmart's THANKFUL code waives Express Delivery through Nov. 30, while Aldi's price applies on delivery apps, with fees.
Whichever deal you choose, the store bundle covers the food basics only. For the gear that makes hosting easier, see our Thanksgiving hosting essentials 2026 guide, and if you are a guest rather than the host, our Thanksgiving hostess gifts list has ideas beyond a bottle of wine.
How these prices compare with the national average
The American Farm Bureau Federation's 2025 Thanksgiving dinner survey put a classic feast for 10 at $55.18, about $5.52 per person and 5% lower than in 2024. That followed a record $64.05 in 2022. The AFBF usually publishes its new survey shortly before Thanksgiving, and the 2026 figure was not yet out when this was written. Not every holiday food is getting cheaper, though; our look at Halloween candy prices in 2026 explains why the candy bowl cost more this year.
Travelling instead of hosting? Our Thanksgiving travel 2026 guide covers the busiest days on roads and at airports.
FAQ: Thanksgiving Meal Deals 2026
What is the cheapest Thanksgiving meal deal in 2026?
Per person, Walmart's $35 basket for 10 ($3.50 each) is the lowest among the big chains. Target's $30 meal for six has the lowest total price.
When does Target's $30 Thanksgiving meal start?
Target's meal for six is available Nov. 8 through Nov. 29, 2026, except in Alaska and Hawaii.
Does Aldi's Thanksgiving meal require a coupon?
No. Aldi says no coupons, loyalty cards, minimum purchases or memberships are needed. The turkey price starts Nov. 4, and all prices run through Nov. 25.
Can I get Walmart's Thanksgiving basket delivered?
Yes. It is available for pickup or delivery, and code THANKFUL gives free Express Delivery through Nov. 30 on qualifying orders of $35 or more.
Do these Thanksgiving meal deals include a turkey?
Yes. Walmart includes a Butterball, Aldi a 16-pound Farmer's Choice, Target a Butterball up to 10 pounds, and Wegmans a 13-pound Shady Brook Farms turkey.
Sources
Editor at Trend Ranker covering US trends, tech, travel and deals. We research from primary sources (official sites, press releases, data) and update posts when facts change. Editorial policy