Let’s talk about Turkey. Every November, the age-old, terrifying question arises as many ask, “How much will Thanksgiving dinner cost this year?” Well, the answer may be more refreshing than in years past. The general public is increasingly concerned about grocery prices, with many expecting dinner to cost an arm and a leg. While some families worry about the cost of dinner, others are trying to use this spike in grocery costs to get creative and try different foods you might not expect to find on a “traditional Thanksgiving table.”
Costs of Turkey
Turkey prices are rising this year as bird flu outbreaks reduce the number of birds available to buy this Thanksgiving. The American turkey flock has fallen to the lowest number of birds in forty years due to bird flu. As a result, wholesale turkey prices have increased 75% since October 2024, according to an analysis by the Purdue University College of Agriculture. The U.S. Department of Agriculture is talking turkey, and their data has shown that wholesale turkey prices this year are around $1.71 per pound, compared to the 2024 average of just 94 cents per pound. This price is expected to continue to rise. Experts estimate that the price will rise to $2.05 per pound by the end of November, which is 25% higher than in 2024.
Because of this extreme price spike, experts say if you want to score a deal on your bird this year, it may take some extra research as prices rise.
Thanksgiving Dinner Prices
Some companies have listened to the public’s concerns and are making this year’s Thanksgiving dinner one of the most affordable we’ve seen in a while. Companies like Walmart, Aldi and Kroger are advertising their affordable Thanksgiving meal deals.
Walmart is offering a dinner kit, which includes a 16-pound turkey and sides, for just under $56 for 10 people.
Aldi’s Thanksgiving dinner sells for $40 and also feeds 10 people.
Amazon is advertising its own Thanksgiving dinner deal for just $25 for 5 people, and Target has announced it will offer a $20 Thanksgiving dinner for 4 people.
However, taking the traditional Thanksgiving meal pie is Kroger. They are promoting their 2025 Freshgiving meal bundle, which can feed 10 people for less than $4.75 per person. Their meal consists of 15 delicious Thanksgiving ingredients and a 14- to 16-pound turkey.
“At Kroger, we believe families deserve a Thanksgiving meal that is affordable and delicious,” said Mary Ellen Adcock, Executive Vice President and Chief Merchant and Marketing Officer. “Especially this year, we’re giving our customers the quality they expect and the value they love, so everyone has an unforgettable vacation.”
So, if you’re worried about your Thanksgiving budget, check out some of these Thanksgiving meal deals to keep your holiday delicious and budget-friendly.
Expanding the definition of “Thanksgiving dinner.”
In addition to looking for deals, many Americans are also becoming more open and creative about what appears on their Thanksgiving table. They begin to realize that the Thanksgiving tradition is changing and that there is no unique way to celebrate Thanksgiving. Jennie-O’s Thanksgiving report gives us the facts to back this up.
This year, Jennie-O celebrates a simple truth: there is no one “right” way to celebrate Thanksgiving. Across America, holiday tables tell the story of where families come from — whether that’s Grandma’s green bean casserole recipe that hasn’t changed since 1975, or new additions like egg rolls, pierogies or kimchi making their debut alongside the turkey as the main dish. This delicious evolution shows how the country’s most food-centric holiday is getting richer with every generation.
To better understand this cultural shift, Jennie-O reveals the results of its Roots & Recipes Report – a study documenting how family heritage shapes what we eat, how we cook and the way we gather around the holiday table. The findings reveal a country that honors the Thanksgiving tradition while embracing change, with more than half of Americans open to trying dishes from other cultures.
Key findings from the Jennie-O Roots & Recipes Report:
Jennie-O surveyed 5,000 Americans to understand how different cultures put their own spin on Thanksgiving and its influence on the way the holiday is celebrated. She documented everything from the spices we use on the turkey to the sides we can’t live without. The results include Americans embracing cultural exchange without forgetting the roots and traditions of this historic holiday.
Embracing cultural change
The report states that while Thanksgiving is rooted in tradition, 55% of Americans are generally open to trying new Thanksgiving recipes that come from a cultural background different from their own.
Of that 55%, 73% of Hispanic/Latino Americans and 70% of Black Americans are the most open to considering new Thanksgiving recipes from other cultures. They are followed by 62% of Asian Americans and 51% of European Americans. Multiracial Americans show 66% openness and are perhaps the most representative of the current demographic of American families.
Old School dishes are still leading the way
More than half of Americans say they have a dish on the table that is more than 25 years old, proving that family recipes are still front and center during the holidays.
Americans of European descent serve the oldest family recipes, with 61% featuring dishes older than 25 years. For this group, nostalgia is the main reason why these recipes remain on the table.
In contrast, Asian Americans are the most likely to serve newer additions, with 40% serving dishes that are 10 years old or younger, followed by Black Americans and Hispanic/Latino Americans. These groups cite reflecting their culture as the main reason for preserving these dishes.
How Long Do Thanksgiving Celebrations Last?
The average American Thanksgiving gathering usually lasts five hours or more, with the majority having fewer than ten guests.
Black Americans host the longest celebrations, with 30% gathering for more than seven hours, while Asian Americans host the shortest gatherings, with 44% celebrating for less than four hours.
Hispanic/Latino Americans host the largest gatherings, with 32% hosting eleven or more guests, while Asian Americans prefer more intimate parties, with 81% hosting fewer than ten people.
America keeps the Turkish spices simple
Across all cultural demographics, salt, pepper, garlic and onion powder are the most popular turkey seasonings, indicating that Americans prefer to let cultural expression shine through the side dishes rather than the main bird.
Black Americans are more likely to season their Thanksgiving turkey with paprika than other respondents. Asian Americans use condiments such as soy sauce (more than twice as often) as lemon zest. European Americans use sage more often than others. And finally, the best Spanish/Latin American seasonings are hot pepper seeds, curry, chili powder, cumin and citrus peel.
Stick to what they know
Despite its growing popularity, only about a third of Americans say they use social media as a source of inspiration for new recipes, relying instead on family heritage, Thanksgiving cultural traditions and guest recommendations. Among those who turn to social media for Thanksgiving inspiration, Hispanic/Latino Americans and Black Americans are the most likely to turn to their own or their children’s social media feeds for new ideas.
Side dish Love
Thanksgiving is indeed side-heavy: 23% of Thanksgiving tables have 10 or more side dishes and 60% serve up to seven side dishes. The top five favorite sides are stuffing, classic mashed potatoes, rolls/cookies, cranberry sauce and green bean casserole.
Americans keep it traditional with their filling, with the majority using a typical bread filling, followed by cornbread stuffing, sausage stuffing, and Italian-style stuffing.
More than two-thirds of European Americans serve classic mashed potatoes at their Thanksgiving table, the highest number compared to other respondents.
“The Roots & Recipes Report reveals something we have long believed at Jennie-O: that Thanksgiving tables are the place where family traditions come to life through food,” said Kim Anderson, senior brand manager at Jennie-O. “With more than half of Americans open to trying dishes from other cultures and just as many keeping recipes passed down from generation to generation, this blend of old and new is redefining what Thanksgiving dinner looks like across America.”
So whether you’re planning ahead or trying to create a new Thanksgiving tradition, there are several options available to you.
References:
https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/krogers-freshgiving-meal-returns-302607743.html
https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/roots–recipes-new-jennie-o-report-explores-how-culture-and-heritage-influence-american-thanksgiving-celebrations-302589562.html
Turkey prices are rising before Thanksgiving due to bird flu