As Thanksgiving approaches, Americans are finding a bit of relief at the checkout counter, with the cost of the traditional holiday feast dipping from last year’s highs. For many families, this means a chance to gather without the added stress of skyrocketing grocery bills—a welcome change after years of pandemic-fueled inflation and food price volatility.
Recent surveys and on-the-ground shopping experiences reveal that the price of turkey, stuffing, and several other holiday staples has fallen compared to 2024. According to the Houston Chronicle, a point-in-time survey conducted on November 18-19, 2025, across eight major grocery stores in the Houston area found that Walmart offered the lowest total price for a basket of 11 common Thanksgiving ingredients, coming in at $36.28 before tax. ALDI was a close second, trailing by just a penny, while H-E-B and Kroger weren’t far behind. At the opposite end, Whole Foods rang up the most expensive basket at $71.21—almost double Walmart’s tally.
These findings echo broader national trends. As reported by NPR, the American Farm Bureau Federation’s annual survey found that the average price for a Thanksgiving feast in 2025 is about 5% lower than last year, with the price of a whole frozen turkey down a striking 16%. That’s especially good news for hosts like Kayla Jenkins, who’s preparing dinner for 10 this Thanksgiving near Washington D.C. “They’re not bad, honestly,” Jenkins said of the prices she found at her local Giant supermarket. “It’s inflation, but it’s not terrible compared to how it was earlier.”
What’s behind these falling prices? Food economist Michael Swanson of Wells Fargo points to a “mega surplus of food” in the U.S., thanks to the largest corn and soybean harvest ever. “We’re just done harvesting the largest corn and soybean crop ever,” Swanson explained to NPR. Lower grain prices mean cheaper feed for turkeys, which in turn drives down the cost of the centerpiece bird. This year, turkey prices at H-E-B in Houston were just $0.77 per pound, making a 15-pound turkey cost less than $12. Meanwhile, some stores in the D.C. area, like Giant, advertised frozen turkeys for as little as 27 cents per pound—though with the caveat that customers had to fill their carts with other items to get the deal. Swanson was floored by the deep discount: “Wow! Absolutely wow! It costs a lot more than 27 cents a pound to get that bird in the freezer.”
While turkey prices have dropped, they’re not the only source of savings. Falling wheat prices have lowered the cost of stuffing, dinner rolls, and pie crusts—staples for any Thanksgiving table. However, not every ingredient is cheaper. Sweet potatoes, for example, are pricier this year due to hurricane damage in North Carolina, a major producer. Fresh vegetable prices have also ticked up, even as cranberry prices have declined.
The Houston Chronicle found that most Thanksgiving baskets were cheaper than last year, with the winning basket costing nearly $2 less than the previous year’s champion. These savings are particularly notable in light of the broader trend: grocery prices have risen an average of 2.7% since last year, according to the Consumer Price Index cited by both NPR and the Houston Chronicle. Yet, the Thanksgiving meal is bucking this trend, thanks in part to lower turkey prices and discounts on other holiday essentials.
But not all stores are created equal when it comes to holiday bargains. Whole Foods, for example, charged $2.99 per pound for turkey—nearly four times the H-E-B price. The higher cost comes with perks, such as animal welfare certification and vegetarian-fed birds, which some shoppers are willing to pay for. Trader Joe’s, another newcomer in this year’s Houston survey, only offered organic versions of certain items, pushing up prices for those who prefer or require organic foods.
Interestingly, no single grocery store dominated the lowest price list for every item. Fiesta Mart, for instance, offered the cheapest flour and green beans, but had the priciest cranberries. Theoretically, a determined shopper could piece together a Thanksgiving basket for as little as $30.77 by visiting multiple stores, but as University of Houston consumer sciences professor Barbara Stewart pointed out, “additional grocery runs can lead to impulse buys.” Her advice? “Make a list. Know what your budget is. Cut out things that aren’t essential. Perhaps have a potluck.”
Brand choices also play a role in holiday spending. Shoppers like Cynthia Pearson in D.C. are increasingly opting for store-brand products over national brands, as the price gap has narrowed. “I could go store brand, because I’m usually going to doctor it up somehow,” Pearson told NPR. “Put my own little touch and taste on it.” Food economist Swanson notes that national brands are “feeling the heat,” as consumers become more cost-conscious and less willing to pay for perceived premium quality.
Despite these pockets of savings, it’s important to remember that grocery prices remain higher than they were before the pandemic. As Pearson put it, “We’re going to eat Thursday, Friday, it should all be gone by Sunday. You can’t waste anything. This is not a year for that.”
And for those who might fantasize about a beef-centric holiday, the numbers are sobering. Beef prices have jumped nearly 15% this year, making a prime rib Thanksgiving a much more expensive affair. “Just for our own interest, we prepared a prime rib menu to ballpark it,” Swanson said. “That’s an expensive menu.”
Ultimately, while inflation continues to nibble at household budgets, this Thanksgiving offers a rare reprieve for American shoppers. Whether you’re a bargain-hunter hitting multiple stores or a loyalist sticking to your favorite grocer, there’s a little more room for gratitude at the table this year—and perhaps, a little less sticker shock at the register.
