Thanksgiving Feast 2023: A Wallet-Friendly Culinary Experience!

Cheaper turkey prices across the nation have contributed to a decrease in the overall cost of Thanksgiving dinners this year. The holiday is just around the corner, taking place on Thursday, November 28. Many shoppers are expected to flock to grocery stores to prepare for their feasts, purchasing traditional items such as turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce, and pumpkin pie filling.

After reaching a record high in 2022, Thanksgiving dinner prices fell in 2023 due to rising food costs and turkey shortages linked to avian flu. Social media buzz currently suggests a further decrease in this year’s Thanksgiving dinner costs.

The question arises: Is this year’s average Thanksgiving meal cheaper than last year’s? The answer is yes. The average cost of a classic Thanksgiving dinner in 2024 is slightly lower than in 2023.

According to data from the American Farm Bureau Federation, the average total cost for a Thanksgiving dinner serving ten people is now $58.08, marking a 5% decline from last year’s $61.17. Nevertheless, prices remain 19% higher than in 2019, a year that set a lower benchmark for costs.

Additional analysis from the U.S. Department of Agriculture and retail analyst Datasembly corroborates these findings. Datasembly reported that this year’s average cost for Thanksgiving dinner is $50.58, about $3 less than in 2023.

What has led to this change? Turkey, which constitutes almost half the total meal cost, saw its prices spike due to avian flu in 2022. However, prices have since decreased as demand has lessened this year, as estimated by the USDA.

The American Farm Bureau conducted its annual Thanksgiving dinner survey, gathering data from volunteer shoppers across all 50 states and Puerto Rico. They monitored prices for traditional items such as turkey, stuffing, sweet potatoes, and dinner rolls.

The survey indicated that seven out of eleven items in the Thanksgiving dinner saw price declines compared to 2023. These items included turkey, sweet potatoes, and pumpkin pie mix, among others. Conversely, some items such as dinner rolls and fresh cranberries experienced higher prices this year.

Here’s a glimpse at the average Thanksgiving dinner prices for 2024 compared to 2023:

2024 Average Thanksgiving Dinner Prices:
16-pound turkey: $25.67
12 ounces of cranberries: $2.35
3 pounds of sweet potatoes: $2.93
1/2 pound each of carrots and celery: $0.84
16 ounces of green peas: $1.73
Two 9-inch pie shells: $3.40
14 ounces of cube stuffing: $4.08
1 dozen dinner rolls: $4.16
30 ounces of pumpkin pie mix: $4.15
1 gallon of whole milk: $3.21
1/2 pint of whipping cream: $1.81

2023 Average Thanksgiving Dinner Prices:
16-pound turkey: $27.35
12 ounces of cranberries: $2.10
3 pounds of sweet potatoes: $3.97
1/2 pound each of carrots and celery: $0.90
16 ounces of green peas: $1.88
Two 9-inch pie shells: $3.50
14 ounces of cube stuffing: $3.77
1 dozen dinner rolls: $3.84
30 ounces of pumpkin pie mix: $4.44
1 gallon of whole milk: $3.74
1 pint of whipping cream: $1.73

Regional price differences are noteworthy, particularly in the western U.S., where grocery bills are at least 15% higher than in other parts of the country.

For those looking to save even more this Thanksgiving, major retailers like Walmart and Target are offering discounted meal deals. Walmart’s Thanksgiving meal bundle serves eight for less than $7 per person, while Target’s deal for four people costs $20, including a frozen turkey and side dishes. ALDI is also featuring seasonal offers that promise affordability.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.