Holiday Meal Deals Stack Up As Grocers Compete On Affordability

The holiday value war keeps escalating. The latest round of announcements brings complete Thanksgiving meals as low as $2.50 per person, free turkeys-with-sides offers, gourmet assortments starting at $1.99, gift card discounts for holiday gifting and even a gadget to help hosts delegate the dishes, as grocers and suppliers compete to own the season’s biggest food-shopping trips.

With shoppers telling survey after survey that holiday costs shape their plans, affordability has become the industry’s common language this November.

Amazon: complete meal for $25 for 10 people

Amazon introduced a complete Thanksgiving meal for $25 from Amazon Grocery, $2.50 per person for 10, with free same-day delivery on orders of $25 or more, available through Nov. 26 while supplies last.

The meal includes an 8-pound Butterball frozen turkey plus national-brand and private-label ingredients for sides and dessert, from Stove Top stuffing and Campbell’s Cream of Mushroom Soup to pie crusts and pumpkin puree, deliverable within hours in more than 2,300 cities and towns.

“With Amazon, customers can get everything they need at everyday low prices, from the turkey to the sides to the serving essentials, all in one cart, delivered to their door within hours,” said Jason Buechel, VP of Amazon Worldwide Grocery Stores and CEO of Whole Foods Market.

Additional deals include frozen turkey at 79 cents per pound through Nov. 26 and fresh turkey at 99 cents per pound beginning Nov. 14. The company, which now calls itself the second-largest grocer in the U.S., says its same-day fulfillment centers carry four times the selection of a typical grocery store.

Walmart: its biggest meal basket yet at $35

Walmart‘s Holiday Meal Basket returns at $35 for 10 people – or $3.50 per person – with 26 items. The retailer says the basket contains 18 percent more food than last year at 12 percent less than those items cost in 2025 – the lowest-priced basket in the program’s history. Anchored by a Butterball turkey at 97 cents per pound, the basket adds sweet potato casserole and corn casserole fixings to the classics. The basket is available through Dec. 24. It can be accessed in stores, in one click online or by asking Sparky, Walmart’s AI shopping agent, to add it to the cart.

“This year, our Holiday Meal Basket brings even more food to the table for just $35, while making it easier for customers to plan, shop and celebrate in ways that work for them,” said David Guggina, president and CEO of Walmart U.S.

The program has saved customers more than $350 million since 2022, the Bentonville, Arkansas-based retailer says.

Hy-Vee cuts holiday meal to under $35 for 10

Hy-Vee sharpened its holiday value offer, announcing a new Holiday Meal Deal that feeds 10 people for under $35, beating its previously announced $39 offer and, the retailer said. Available in-store and online Nov. 2 through Dec. 24, the 26-item deal covers a traditional spread – from a frozen turkey up to 12 pounds through sides, stuffing, rolls and pumpkin pie ingredients.

The West Des Moines, Iowa-based retailer also is offering a gluten-free version for $50 or less; premade holiday meals for parties of 2 to 12 with holiday pickup and delivery windows; and its “Buy a ham, get a turkey free” promotion throughout November at all locations.

“We know customers are especially focused on value this holiday season, and the new Hy-Vee Holiday Meal Deal makes it even easier to feed more people for the lowest price,” said Anna Stoermer, EVP and chief merchandising and retail officer at Hy-Vee.

Meijer prices Thanksgiving dinner for 10 at under $35

Meijer is offering Midwest customers a traditional Thanksgiving meal for 10 people for less than $35, built on Meijer brand frozen turkeys at 79 cents a pound or less through Nov. 26 (with a $25 purchase in Wisconsin). The basket includes a 14-pound turkey, russet and sweet potatoes and the ingredients for green bean casserole, sweet potato casserole, stuffing, pumpkin pie, cranberry sauce, gravy and dinner rolls, with additional discounts available through the retailer’s mPerks loyalty program.

The Grand Rapids, Michigan-based retailer anticipates selling more than 1 million turkeys and 7 million pounds of russet and sweet potatoes in the weeks before Thanksgiving.

More than 80 Meijer brand holiday meal and baking items are also on sale through Dec. 24 at up to 45 percent off.

“As always, we’re committed to providing the best value on the food customers want to celebrate the holiday,” said Don Sanderson, chief merchandising and marketing officer at Meijer. “As a family-owned company, we want to help families enjoy the season together without having to sacrifice because of high prices.”

Save A Lot: less than $4 per person, with free potatoes and vegetables

Save A Lot‘s recommended 10-person Thanksgiving meal totals $39.27 at participating stores Nov. 18-26, anchored by a 15-pound turkey at $1.49 per pound. Save A Lot Rewards members can redeem a free 8-pound bag of russet potatoes and free 32-ounce package of frozen vegetables with a turkey purchase up to three times between Nov. 8-29. The company notes its price comes in well under the American Farm Bureau Federation’s $55.18 average for a 2025 Thanksgiving meal for 10.

“By offering a complete Thanksgiving meal for less than $4 per person, we’re helping families enjoy their holiday favorites while making the most of their grocery budgets,” said Katie Kobus, VP of marketing at St. Louis-based Save A Lot.

Market 32 and Price Chopper: feast for 10 under $40

Market 32 and Price Chopper‘s Thanksgiving Feast for 10 Under $40 runs Nov. 1 through Thanksgiving Day, built on a roughly 13.5-pound turkey and PICS private-label sides from stuffing to pumpkin pie, locked in with a registered AdvantEdge Rewards card. The offer follows the grocer’s recent everyday price cuts on more than 1,000 essentials, and fully cooked Thanksgiving meals can be ordered through Nov. 19.

“Helping families serve a meal for 10 for less than $40 is one way we can make a meaningful difference,” said Blaine Bringhurst, president of Market 32 and Price Chopper. “We want our customers to feel good about what they’re spending and proud of the meal they’re sharing.”

Lidl: gourmet European holiday line from $1.99

Lidl US is taking the premium-for-less angle with the return of its Preferred Selection holiday line: 89 European specialty items rolling into stores continuously from late October through December, from a $119.99 Serrano ham leg and $12.99 lobster tail twin pack to $1.99 mini puff pastry shells.

“From Spanish Serrano ham to European baked goods and desserts, these specialties make it easy to create a memorable holiday spread that everyone can enjoy,” said Jassine Ouali, chief customer officer at Lidl US.

Aldi: pairings under $20 and a decked-out contest

Aldi’s 220-item winter seasonal lineup includes five curated drink-and-dessert pairings under $20 each, from a mimosa with apple cider donuts to a breakfast stout with Belgian chocolate mousse desserts. “Whether you’re going all out or keeping things lowkey, we’re making it easy to go from cart to table with less prep, less stress and more time for the good stuff,” said Karmen Noterzberg, Aldi director of national buying, assortment planning.

The grocer also launched the Aldi Deck-Out, a nationwide holiday decorating contest inviting fans to transform their homes into Aldi-inspired displays. Entries run Nov. 9-22 at ALDIDeckOut.com, judged by the Aldi Quarter Club of 25 superfans, with a $10,000 grocery grand prize, a custom trophy and up to 10 honorable mentions of $1,000 each.

Tops turns grocery trips into gift card savings

Tops Friendly Markets brought back its Tops Christmas Bonus program Nov. 1, turning qualifying grocery purchases into 20 percent savings on gift cards from more than 25 retailers and restaurants. Through Dec. 26, BonusPlus shoppers who spend $50 or more in a single transaction earn one Gift Point, redeemable for $10 off a $50 participating gift card, with points redeemable through Jan. 2.

Participating brands range from Applebee’s, Panera Bread and The Cheesecake Factory to Best Buy, Lowe’s, Macy’s and Kohl’s, with Panera and Tractor Supply Co. new for 2026. The program has saved shoppers more than $20 million on holiday gifts and gift cards since its inception, according to the Williamsville, New York-based retailer, which operates 151 stores in New York, Pennsylvania and Vermont.

“Holiday budgets can be stretched thin, and we want to help our customers make every dollar go further,” said Aaron Payne, VP of marketing and promotional strategy at Tops. “That means packing as much value as possible into every Tops trip. In addition to saving on groceries and gas, Tops Christmas Bonus helps customers save on gift cards for family and friends, or for purchases they’re already planning for themselves.”

Butterball: a gadget for delegating, and 45 years of the Talk-Line

Butterball is helping beyond the turkey with the Butterball Buddy, a free, limited-quantity turkey-shaped device that chimes with timed tasks guests can complete, then pass along, turning hosting into a team effort. The idea comes from the company’s Togetherness Report finding that 85 percent of hosts prefer guests offer help but only 38 percent ask. Buddies release at ButterballBuddy.com at 1 p.m. ET the first three Mondays of November, while supplies last.

The Butterball Turkey Talk-Line also opened Nov. 2 for its 45th year, with more than 50 experts, including chefs, food scientists and registered dietitians, available through Dec. 24 at 1-800-BUTTERBALL.