Cheap Thanksgiving Dinner: Feed a Crowd for Less

Hosting Thanksgiving means a full table with an expensive grocery bill. The good news is that Thanksgiving costs less than it did a few years ago. Last year, a Thanksgiving dinner for 10 cost an average of $55.18, or about $5.52 per person, according to the American Farm Bureau Federation. In 2022, it was $64.05.

WorkMoney has your guide to plan Thanksgiving on a budget, plus where to find help with groceries if you need it.

How Much Does Thanksgiving Dinner Cost in 2026?

The Farm Bureau’s survey prices the same 10-person menu every year: turkey, stuffing, sweet potatoes, rolls, peas, cranberries, a veggie tray, and pumpkin pie with whipped cream. 

In 2025, the biggest item got cheaper. A 16-pound turkey averaged $21.50, or $1.34 a pound, down more than 16% from 2024. The Farm Bureau also says that stores tend to cut turkey prices even more in the days before the holiday.

Fresh produce got even more expensive. Sweet potatoes rose 37%, and a veggie tray rose 61%. Where you live matters too. The same meal cost $50.01 in the South and $61.75 in the West.

This year, the Department of Agriculture predicts grocery prices to rise 2.4% overall. Poultry is expected to rise 1%, fresh vegetables 5.7%, sugar and sweets 6.6%, and beef 9.4%. For your shopping list, that means turkey should stay a good deal, while produce and desserts may cost more.

Decide What Matters Most on Your Table

Before you make a shopping list, ask your guests which Thanksgiving dishes are nonnegotiable. This helps you narrow down what to serve, so you can spend your money on the popular items. Cut out the rest.

Keep the cuts minimal. That could mean skipping the second pie, buying store-brand rolls, or serving two vegetable sides instead of your usual four. A smaller spread may mean less cooking, fewer dishes to wash, and more time around the table with your loved ones.

What’s the Cheapest Main Dish for Thanksgiving?

For most groups, a whole frozen turkey costs the least per pound. Stores often price turkeys low to bring in holiday shoppers. Last year, Walmart’s holiday meal bundle included Butterball turkeys at $0.97 a pound.

If you’re cooking for a smaller group, a turkey breast or pack of chicken thighs gives you a holiday main without a week of leftovers. USDA’s MyPlate Kitchen has a roast turkey breast recipe that feeds eight. If you planned on a beef roast, this may be the year to switch. USDA expects beef prices to rise 8.7% in 2026.

Leftovers add value to every dollar you spend on the main dish, so store them safely. Put them in the fridge within two hours of cooking. They’ll keep for three to four days, and frozen leftovers taste best within two to six months.

How Can You Save on Sides and Dessert?

Sides are where small swaps add up. A few simple changes can make a big difference.

• Buy frozen vegetables. Frozen green beans and peas keep for weeks so that you can buy them on sale in advance.

• Choose store brands for rolls, canned pumpkin, and broth. Store brands are one of the easiest ways to shop for groceries on a budget.

• Bake your own pie. A 30-ounce can of pumpkin pie mix averaged $4.16 last year, and USDA expects sugar and sweets prices to rise 6.6% this year.

• Look at store meal bundles. Walmart’s 2025 bundle fed 10 people for under $40.

Here are two low-cost sides you can add to your Thanksgiving table this year.

Classic Herb Stuffing (serves 16): This recipe uses a 14-ounce bag of dried bread cubes, onion, celery, carrots, garlic, low-sodium chicken broth, and poultry seasoning. You can make your own bread cubes by leaving cubed bread out overnight to dry, so it's a good use for day-old bread. It bakes at 350°F for about 30 to 35 minutes. For comparison, a 14-ounce box of stuffing mix averaged $3.71 last year.

Four-Ingredient Cranberry Sauce (serves 12): This recipe calls for a 12-ounce bag of fresh or frozen cranberries, 2/3 cup of sugar, the juice and zest of one orange, and two cinnamon sticks. Simmer it for 10 to 15 minutes, then chill. A 12-ounce bag of fresh cranberries averaged $2.28 last year.

Our $35 Thanksgiving meal pulls together a full menu, with a complete spread to leave you and your guests stuffed.

Can You Use SNAP or WIC for Thanksgiving Groceries?

SNAP covers any food for your household, including turkey and other meat, fruits and vegetables, dairy, and bread. This means you can definitely use it for Thanksgiving-focused groceries. It doesn’t cover alcohol or foods that are hot when you buy them. That means a cold rotisserie chicken counts, and a hot one doesn’t.

As of Oct. 1, the most a family of four can receive each month in the 48 states and Washington, D.C., is $1,023.

Some states now limit what SNAP can buy. For instance, Florida prohibits soda, energy drinks, candy, and prepared desserts, which can include a bakery pie. Montana, North Dakota, South Carolina, and Virginia start new limits on Nov. 1. Check USDA’s state-by-state list before you shop.

If you get WIC, your benefits include milk, eggs, whole wheat bread, beans or peanut butter, and a set dollar amount for fruits and vegetables. Those foods cover the base of the stuffing and cranberry sauce above, plus mashed potatoes.

You can use Propel to check your EBT balance before you get to the register, so you know exactly what you have to spend.

Where Can You Find Free Thanksgiving Food Near You?

If you need extra help affording food, visit a food pantry or meal program. Using a food pantry is another way to free up your budget, and these programs exist for times like this.

How Do You Ask Guests to Pitch in Without Feeling Awkward?

Guests often ask what they can bring, so have an answer ready. Consider: “We'd love to have you! Could you bring a side or a dessert to share?”

• Assign categories. Assign who’s responsible for sides, rolls, dessert, and drinks so you don’t end up with four bowls of mashed potatoes.

• Ask guests to bring drinks. Let your loved ones know what you prefer, or let them choose their favorites.

• Decorate with what you have. Fall leaves, pine cones, a few candles, or your kids’ drawings set a warm table for free.