This is the Thanksgiving Price Comparison Post you can’t afford to miss! I’ve been working on this one all week long.
There’s no wrong way to do Thanksgiving. You can cook each dish from scratch. You can buy store bought. Or you could choose a carry out method or dine at a restaurant. But which of the above is the best for your budget? I’m here to help you take Turkey Day to the next level, comparing prices at the homemade, grocery store pre-made, and restaurant options this year.
Basic Shopping Strategies
Before we begin, let me say that I’ve used a combination of all of the above methods over the years. You’re likely to score the lowest prices by cooking at home from basic ingredients. However, there are years you may want to alter that strategy. You’re also going to see some current grocery prices. Keep in mind these may vary from store to store and change as we draw nearer to Thanksgiving.
One of the most tempting shopping habits to adapt this time of the year is hopping from store to store to snag each bargain deal. Thanksgiving is a terrible time to engage this strategy. The stores will be busy and you’re more likely to grab multiple impulse buys by playing into this. Stick with your regular grocery store – the one where you know where everything is and make as few stops as possible.
Turkey
The centerpiece of the celebration, the turkey takes priority when it comes to Thanksgiving Dinner. Here are some price breakdowns of store deals and other options.
Breast or Full Bird? Before you go shopping consider, how many people you’ll need to feed. Experts say that if you’re feeding 8 people or more, you need to consider a 12 lb or larger bird. If you’re feeding less or have a plethora of sides, you might want to consider cooking a turkey breast instead. You’ll end up being able to fit more into your oven, too.
Best Grocery Prices Right Now
- ALDI:
- $0.87/lb Butterball Turkey
- $8.99 for a 4 lb Kirkwood Turkey Breast
- Kroger:
- $0.69/lb Kroger Turkey
- Meijer:
- $0.33/lb Meijer Brand Turkey
- $0.69/lb Honeysuckle Turkey
- $0.99/lb Butterball Turkey
- Walmart:
- $0.99/lb Butterball Turkey
- Target:
- $0.99/lb Butterball Turkey
Many grocery stores offer pre-cooked turkey and turkey breasts for your feast. Obviously, they’ll cost a bit more but most of the heavy lifting will be done for you already. Keep in mind these are often cold turkeys and you’ll need to reheat what’s already been cooked.
Best Grocery Prepared Prices Right Now
- Kroger: $22 – $36 depending on size
- Whole Foods: $34 – $69 depending on size
- Fresh Thyme: $59.99
Restaurants also offer turkey and full meals this time of the year. Again, don’t miss that you’ll likely need to reheat or warm the dishes. Some require advance ordering, too. Check the link for this year’s specifics on each listed below.
Best Restaurant Prices Right Now
- City Barbeque: $45 – $79
* Prices may vary per location.
Rolls
Fresh, frozen, packaged, store bought, or from your favorite steakhouse, bread also features in this holiday meal. You really can’t go wrong.
Homemade rolls are likely your most affordable option. Odds are good what you need to make them is already in your cabinet. You might need a key ingredient like yeast; however, even purchasing that lands you at around $1.
Best Grocery Prices Right Now
- ALDI: $2.59 10 ct. Yeast Rolls Frozen
- Kroger: $2.50 12 ct. King’s Hawaiian Rolls & $3 10 ct. Sister Schubert’s Pre Baked Yeast Dinner Yeast Rolls
- Meijer: Sister Schubert’s Dinner Yeast Rolls, 20 count $6.39
- Walmart: Sister Schubert’s Dinner Yeast Rolls, 20 count $5.97
- Target: $5.99 24 ct. King’s Hawaiian Rolls
Best Restaurant Prices Right Now
- Bob Evans: $5.99/12
- Texas Roadhouse: $5.99/12
- Logans: $3.99/12
* Prices may vary per location.
Mashed Potatoes
A traditional favorite, mashed potatoes require some work and effort. However, they’re incredibly affordable to make for yourself. Don’t forget that you’ll need to include the cost butter and milk in the cost, too. If you need to pick up store prepared potatoes, you’ll find those at this time of the year, too. Or you can grab them from a home cooking restaurant and no one will know the difference.
Best Grocery Prices Right Now
- ALDI: $2.89 8 lb. bag
- Kroger: $4.99 8 lb. bag
- Meijer: $4.89 10 lb. bag
- Target: $5.79 8 lb. bag
Best Grocery Prepared Prices Right Now
- Kroger: Bob Evans Original Mashed Potatoes 24-oz.$3
- Meijer: Meijer Mashed Potatoes and Gravy $3.99/lb
- Target: $2.99 Good & Gather™ 24-oz. Yukon Gold Mashed Potatoes
- Whole Foods: $11.99 6 Servings
- Costco: ~ $9.99 for prepared 5 lbs. container of Mashed Potatoes
Best Restaurant Prices Right Now
- Bob Evans: Family Sized Mashed Potatoes & Gravy $6
- Cracker Barrel: 1 Quart Mashed Potatoes & Gravy $11.99
- Boston Market: 32 oz. Mashed Potatoes & Gravy $11.99
* Prices may vary per location.
Pumpkin Pie
Can you even have Thanksgiving without pumpkin pie? You can choose to roll out your own crust and prepare everything from scratch like your grandma did. Or you might go with a pre-made crust and a can of filling. Buying pies in store or at a restaurant is also an option. If you fix it yourself, the cost varies depending on what ingredients you already have at home. It could cost you as little as $2-3. If you purchase it in store, you’re going to find a range of prices.
Best Grocery Prices Right Now
- ALDI: $5.99 for a 10″
- Kroger: $3.49 for an 8″
- Meijer: $7.99 for a 9″
- Walmart: $5.94 for a 10″
- Target: $4.99 for an 8″
Best Restaurant Prices Right Now
- Bob Evans: $10.99
- Cracker Barrel: $9.99
- Boston Market: $6.49
* Prices may vary per location.
Full Meal Deals
Last, but not least you’ll also find a number of great full meal deals from your favorite grocery retailers and restaurants. Here’s what I see as being offered this year.
Best Grocery Prepared Prices Right Now
- Kroger: Startinga at $55
- Whole Foods: Starting at $69.99
- Fresh Thyme: Starting at $79.99
Best Restaurant Prices Right Now
- Bob Evans: $59.99 (feeds 4) and $89.99 (feeds 8)
- Cracker Barrel: $74.99 to $124.99
- City Barbeque: $69 to $149
- Boston Market: $89.99 to $129.99
My overall pick goes to ALDI this year, with a close second to Meijer because of that Turkey price. Again, try to only shop one store based on your needs.
No matter how you approach Thanksgiving, you’ll be certain to save if you follow these other smart money saving strategies.
- 5 Thanksgiving Budget Busters to Avoid
- Can’t Miss Thanksgiving Shopping Tips
- Four Family Games to Play on Thanksgiving
Our new book Your Money, Your Marriage is now available! Be sure to check out videos on managing money together on Facebook.
My book is now available: Slaying the Debt Dragon: How One Family Conquered Their Money Monster and Found an Inspired Happily Ever After. You can also check out The Debt Free Devotional
This post contains an affiliate link. That means when you get a great deal, learn about a way to save, or maybe even something for free, I may end up making a small commission. All prices are subject to change.
