Thanksgiving is all about gathering around the table, but putting that feast together can take a big bite out of your grocery budget. According to a 2026 PwC forecast, the average American family is expected to spend about $90 on Thanksgiving dinner, up from $88 last year.
The good news? You don't have to spend a fortune to serve a delicious holiday meal. From buying a smaller turkey to knowing which ingredients are worth the extra cost, cooking and entertaining experts share their best tips for keeping Thanksgiving affordable without sacrificing flavor.
Plan for the Guests You Actually Have
Before you start filling your grocery cart, figure out exactly how many people you're feeding.
"Count the chairs before you write the shopping list," says David Jubé, founder of The Gourmet Host. "The headcount decides the menu, the budget, and the space, and a Thanksgiving planned from recipes instead of from the guest list is how a host ends up buying for twenty when fourteen are coming."
Jubé also recommends skipping dishes nobody particularly wants. Every extra side means more ingredients, more work, and potentially more leftovers than anyone can eat.
Another way to cut costs is to make Thanksgiving a potluck. Ask guests to contribute specific dishes so you can share the expense without ending up with three pumpkin pies and no vegetables.
Rethink the Turkey
A giant turkey might look impressive, but buying more than you need is an easy way to overspend.
"Buy a smaller bird than you think you need and put the money into two sides people will actually talk about," says Samantha Binkley, founder and CEO of Healthy On You and a cooking instructor.
Rowena Scherer, founder of eat2explore and author of A Taste of the World, suggests considering less expensive proteins, such as whole chickens or turkey thighs instead of turkey breasts.
You can also stretch the main dish by serving filling sides made with grains, legumes, and seasonal vegetables. If turkey sandwiches are part of your family's holiday tradition, plan for leftovers.
Compare Grocery Store Thanksgiving Deals
Several major grocery chains are offering holiday meal deals this year.
Aldi offers a Thanksgiving dinner serving 10 people for under $39. The deal includes a 16-pound turkey, stuffing, sweet potatoes, vegetables, dinner rolls, cranberries, and ingredients for pumpkin pie. No coupons or loyalty cards are required.
Wegmans has a similar deal that feeds eight people for under $40, or less than $5 per person. It includes a 13-pound turkey, stuffing, potatoes, vegetables, macaroni and cheese, and pumpkin pie. Promotional pricing begins November 8, with the turkey discount ending November 22.
If convenience is your priority, Costco offers a mostly prepared Thanksgiving dinner for eight for $199.99, or about $25 per person. It includes turkey breast, multiple sides, and two desserts.
Skip Prepared Sides and Make More From Scratch
Convenience foods can add up quickly, especially when you're buying several side dishes.
Minoo, the chef and creator behind Minoo Makes Stuff, recommends making bread from scratch instead of buying bakery rolls or loaves.
“Make your bread, including all rolls, loaves and bread bowls. A five-ingredient dough is pennies compared to the bakery and tastes like you tried way harder than you did!"
Scherer also recommends making gravy and dressings from scratch rather than buying prepared versions. Using pantry staples like flour, stock, herbs, and spices can help keep costs down while giving you more control over the flavor.
Splurge on a Few Ingredients That Make a Difference
Saving money doesn't mean every ingredient has to be the cheapest option on the shelf. Sometimes a few carefully chosen upgrades make all the difference.
Binkley suggests spending a little more on quality butter, flavorful stock, and fresh citrus. Good butter can make mashed potatoes richer, stock adds depth to homemade gravy and stuffing, and a squeeze of citrus is great on roasted vegetables.
She also points out that dried spices offer exceptional value. "Dried spices are the cheapest flavor per dollar in the entire store, and a jar that costs less than a bunch of fresh herbs will season a whole table."
For even more flavor, she suggests toasting spices in butter or oil before adding other ingredients.
Scherer recommends browning meats deeply, roasting vegetables until they caramelize, and finishing dishes with a splash of lemon juice or vinegar. These techniques can add depth without expensive ingredients.
Choose a few things to spend a bit extra on and keep everything else simple. A thoughtfully prepared meal with a handful of standout dishes can feel every bit as special as an extravagant Thanksgiving spread.
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