Thanksgiving meal deals from Walmart, Target and Aldi advertise holiday dinners for six to 10 people at prices below $40. The offers differ in serving sizes, ingredients and start dates. A closer comparison shows what each advertised price includes, which items are not yet on sale and why checkout totals may vary.
Walmart’s $35 basket serves 10, Target’s $30 selection serves six and Aldi’s menu for 10 costs less than $39. The meals differ in size and content. Each deal consists of groceries to prepare at home rather than a cooked, ready-to-serve dinner.
U.S. grocery-store food prices were 1.8% higher in September than a year earlier, the Agriculture Department reported. Several advertised holiday prices also do not begin until November.
Key Takeaways
- Walmart’s $35 meal estimate serves 10 and covers 26 items across 17 distinct products
- Target’s $30 meal serves six, excludes dessert and goes on sale November 8
- Aldi’s under-$39 meal serves 10, but its turkey price begins November 4 and pie mix becomes available November 11
- Prices depend on specified products, availability and possible additional charges
Consumer trend analyst Phil Lempert told ABC News on October 28: “Compare the unit prices, not the bundle prices.” One offer serves six people, while the other two serve 10.
Walmart’s $35 Basket Covers 10 Diners and Includes Dessert
Walmart announced its 2026 Holiday Meal Basket on October 28. The $35 assortment is designed for 10 diners, or an estimated $3.50 per person, and contains 26 items representing 17 products.
The frozen Butterball turkey costs 97 cents per pound. Other ingredients cover stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy, cranberry sauce, green bean casserole, sweet potato casserole, corn casserole, dinner rolls and pumpkin pie with whipped topping. The 26-item count includes multiple packages of certain products, such as two boxes of stuffing and three cans each of corn and green beans.
Walmart calculates the $35 estimate using a 13.5-pound turkey and approximately 3.2 pounds of sweet potatoes. Actual weights, substitutions and availability can change the checkout total.
The prices run through December 24 in stores and online, where store and online prices may differ. Walmart lists pickup and delivery options, with possible fees from $0 to $19.95. Free Express Delivery through November 30 requires a qualifying purchase and promotional code.
The offer requires no membership and excludes Alaska, Hawaii, Oklahoma, Puerto Rico and Wisconsin. Product availability can vary by location, according to Walmart’s published conditions.
Thanksgiving Meal Deals: Target’s $30 Offer Serves Six
Target announced its $30 Thanksgiving meal on October 22, or $5 per person for six diners. The lower headline total covers fewer guests and no dessert. Target says the $5-per-person figure matches its 2025 offer. It also announced nearly 60 new seasonal food and beverage items for 2026, but those products are separate from the specified $30 dinner selection.
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The nine listed products include a Butterball turkey weighing up to 10 pounds, three pounds of russet potatoes, cranberry sauce, green beans, mushroom soup, fried onions, stuffing, turkey gravy and a two-count baguette. Shoppers adding a pumpkin pie, whipped topping or another dessert would pay beyond the advertised $30.
Separately, Target advertises Good & Gather frozen turkey at 79 cents per pound beginning in November, wherever sold. That is a different turkey from the Butterball bird in its $30 meal.
The advertised $30 pricing runs November 8 through November 29, before tax, and excludes Alaska and Hawaii. It is not yet in effect on October 30.
The offer comes amid a wider shift toward value shopping. Its serving count and missing dessert distinguish it from the 10-person menus.
Aldi’s Under-$39 Meal Includes a 16-Pound Turkey
Aldi announced its 2026 Thanksgiving menu on October 14. Its list for 10 costs less than $39, or under $3.90 per person, including a 16-pound Farmer’s Choice turkey. That exceeds the turkey weight assumed in Walmart’s estimate and Target’s listed maximum.
The Aldi list includes stuffing, sweet potatoes, rolls, cranberries, peas, carrots, celery and ingredients for pumpkin pie. Unlike Walmart’s menu, it does not include items for mashed potatoes, gravy or green bean casserole. Aldi says the menu follows core ingredients in the American Farm Bureau Federation’s Thanksgiving dinner cost survey, providing a defined shopping list for its price estimate.
Aldi requires no coupons, loyalty card, minimum purchase or membership. Shoppers can buy the products individually or use an online list. Product selection, location and fulfillment charges can affect the total.
Most prices began October 14, followed by cranberries October 26. The turkey becomes available November 4 and pumpkin pie mix November 11. Aldi’s offer ends November 25, the day before Thanksgiving.
As of October 30, Walmart’s offer is active, Target’s has not started and Aldi’s full menu is not yet available. Per-person figures also do not account for different turkey weights, side dishes or additional groceries.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Thanksgiving meal deals serve 10 people?
Thanksgiving meal deals from both Walmart and Aldi serve 10, with advertised prices of $35 and under $39, respectively. Target’s $30 meal serves six, so the headline totals are not directly equivalent.
When do the 2026 Thanksgiving meal offers start?
Walmart’s advertised prices began October 28, while Target’s begin November 8. Aldi began offering some listed prices October 14, with its turkey scheduled for November 4 and pumpkin pie mix for November 11.
Do the advertised prices include everything needed for dinner?
The menus include different ingredients and quantities, with Walmart and Aldi listing dessert components but Target excluding dessert. Extra groceries, substitutions, taxes or fulfillment fees can raise the final bill.
Can the advertised prices vary by location?
Yes. Walmart’s estimated total depends partly on turkey and produce weights, Target’s offer has geographic exclusions, and Aldi says its actual prices can vary by location and selection.
