Thanksgiving grocery deals reveal America’s inflation struggle | Official Website of Louis Velazquez, entrepreneur, finance guy and tech innovator

With millions of Americans struggling to make ends meet, Thanksgiving looms. It’s the holiday where food is front and center, yet many people are struggling to keep any food on the table, let alone prepare an extravagant meal.

So it’s no wonder people will be searching around for the best deals on turkey and all the fixings.

Major grocers like Kroger, Walmart, and Aldi are stepping up to help inflation-weary consumers buy turkey, potatoes, cranberry sauce, and green beans for as little as $3.60 per serving.

You’d be hard pressed to find a fast-food meal for that little.

Food costs 2024 vs. 2025

The cost of food has continued to go in the wrong direction this year, despite promises from President Donald Trump that Americans would see cheaper food under his administration.

In March 2025, the cost of groceries was up 2.4% percent year over year, and restaurant meals were up 3.4%. In June 2025, prices for groceries were up 2.4% year over year, and in September, groceries were up 2.7% and restaurant meals up 3.7% year over year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics October report.

Grocers may be offering Thanksgiving meal deals as a way to get shoppers through the door in the hopes that they will make other purchases.

Major grocers are offering deals on all the ingredients for a traditional Thanksgiving meal.

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Kroger “Freshgiving” meal for 10

Kroger’s “Freshgiving” bundle is one of the standout offers this year. It’s offering a 16-ingredient meal bundle that serves 10 people at under $4.75 per person (so around $48 total) starting November 12, according to a Kroger announcement.

Included in the bundle: a 14-16 lb. frozen turkey, stuffing, broth, sweet corn, baby carrots, cranberry sauce, yams, Idaho potatoes, green beans, cream of mushroom soup, fried onions, rolls, pumpkin puree, whipped topping, pie crusts, etc.

Beyond the bundle, Kroger is also running strong seasonal price drops on items like broth for 99¢, Ocean Spray cranberries for $1.99, and other staples. The deal is enough for a party of 10 and includes nearly everything you need for a classic Thanksgiving spread at a low per-person cost.

Though Kroger is advertising the Thanksgiving deal as a “meal bundle,” you’re essentially buying all the listed items individually — you can mix and match or scale up/down as needed.

Aldi Feast for 10

Aldi is competing hard on value. For 2025, it’s offering a full Thanksgiving dinner for 10 people for just $40 (so about $4 per person), including a 14-lb. turkey and nine traditional side dishes.

“The ALDI commitment to low prices is unwavering and I am thrilled that we are able to offer an even more affordable holiday meal than last year,” said Aldi CEO Atty McGrath, in a company announcement. “Saving our shoppers money is our mission every day — but is especially important during the holidays when they need it most.”

The meal includes 21 items (turkey, rolls, cranberry sauce, macaroni and cheese, stuffing, mashed potatoes with gravy, sweet potato casserole, green bean casserole, and pumpkin pie), and no coupons or membership are required.

If your guest list is around 10 and your budget is tight, Aldi’s offer is among the best deals out there.

Because items are sold individually and not as a packaged “kit,” you may still want to check your local store for availability and make sure the turkey size is appropriate for your group.

Target Thanksgiving dinner for 4

Target’s bundle is much more basic than Kroger’s or Aldi’s but still offers strong value. For 2025, Target offers a meal bundle for four people priced at less than $20 (under $5/person).

The meals includes a Good & Gather frozen turkey (up to 10 lb.), 5 lb. russet potatoes, Ocean Spray jellied cranberry sauce, Stove Top stuffing, Heinz turkey gravy, French bread, and frozen corn.

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If you’re hosting a smaller gathering or just want the basics covered, this is a very budget-friendly option.

“What I love about Target during the holidays is our ability to help families celebrate in style while spending less — and that’s exactly what we’re doing this Thanksgiving,” Executive Vice President and Chief Merchandising Officer of Food, Essentials, and Beauty Lisa Roath said in the announcement.

“Our under-$20 Thanksgiving meal is priced even lower than last year’s, but we’re not stopping there. We also have new seasonal sides, stylish table décor, festive apparel, and beautiful greenery and florals.”

Because the Target bundle is relatively small, you may need to supplement with additional sides or desserts if your guest count is larger or if you want more variety.

Walmart Thanksgiving dinner for 10

Walmart’s Thanksgiving meal offering is designed for about 10 people and priced very aggressively. For 2025 the company revealed a basket of more than 20 items serving 10 people for under $4 per person.

The basket includes: a 13.5-lb Butterball turkey, fresh produce like potatoes, cranberries, and baby carrots, plus boxed macaroni and cheese, pie crusts, canned goods, and other holiday staples.

The per-person cost is among the lowest nationally for a Thanksgiving spread, which is great for larger households or budget-conscious hosts.

“We know every dollar and minute counts – which is why we are offering a low-priced, one-click Thanksgiving Meal Basket featuring iconic brands like Butterball and Stove Top alongside trusted Walmart private brand items. We want every family to be able to share a meal and celebrate without compromising on quality, quantity or tradition,” CEO and President of Walmart U.S. John Furner said in the announcement.

Because it’s such a bargain, check availability (especially the turkey size) and verify that your local store participates — the offerings may vary by region.

Amazon Thanksgiving dinner for 5

Amazon is offering a very budget-conscious option for Thanksgiving this year. According to recent reports, it offers a meal bundle designed to serve five people for about $25, as reported on FoxLA.

In the Amazon delivery: a frozen turkey (an 8-lb. Butterball turkey), crescent rolls, pre-made sides like mashed potatoes and gravy, green bean casserole, cranberry relish, and a choice of pumpkin, pecan, or sweet potato pie. For a smaller gathering (around five people), this deal covers many of the Thanksgiving staples for a very low cost, around $5 per person, and it offers the convenience of Amazon’s delivery or pickup.

Delivery/pickup availability may vary by area, so check your ZIP code in Amazon Fresh or Amazon Grocery. Also, since the turkey is smaller (8 lb.), if your guest list is more than four or five people, you may need to supplement.

Lidl Thanksgiving dinner for 10

Lidl is stepping up with one of the lowest-cost meal bundles among the national chains. It’s offering a full Thanksgiving dinner designed to feed 10 people for under $36. That comes out to $3.60 per person.

The bundle include a 14-lb. turkey at a promotional rate of around $0.25 per pound using the MyLidl app, russet potatoes, sweet potatoes, cranberry sauce, pie crust dough, rolls, macaroni and cheese, green beans, stuffing mix, gravy mix, etc.

This is one of the most aggressive price-per-person deals available nationally, especially appealing for a larger group of about 10.

“With grocery prices continuing to be a challenge for families, we understand how vital great value is this holiday season,” said Lidl U.S. CEO Joel Rampoldt, said in an announcement.

“At Lidl U.S., we’re honored to help make Thanksgiving more accessible. We hope our bundle helps bring people together this year to enjoy a holiday feast that’s as delicious as it is affordable.”

The items are sold separately (not in a pre-packaged “kit”), and you’ll likely need to use the MyLidl app for the special turkey price. Stock may be limited, so shop early at your local store.

Host checklist

Confirm your guest count and compare per-person cost.
Verify turkey size: typically 1.5 to 2 lbs. of turkey per person is the rule.
Check local store availability and pick-up/delivery options.
Don’t forget the extras like desserts, drinks, and special items for people with dietary restrictions.
Shop early — limited stock and size ranges may vary.