Thanksgiving dinner will cost the average American 20% more this year compared to last, according to the American Farm Bureau Federation’s (AFBF) 2022 Survey.
In 2021, a Thanksgiving meal for 10 cost $53.31, or $5.31 a person, according to the AFBF’s survey.
This year, the average cost for a 10-person Thanksgiving is $64.05 nationwide.
“We've seen an increase in Thanksgiving meals for a couple of reasons. One of them is general inflation is running relatively high,” Dr. Roger Cryan, the Chief Economist for the AFBF said.
The nationwide inflation rate is currently 7.7%.
“Year over year, we've also seen an increase in the price of turkeys, partly because of some supply chain issues with turkeys,” Dr. Cryan said. “And we're seeing higher prices for food.”
In the Western part of the United States, Thanksgiving meals averaged $71.37 for a “classic meal”, defined by the AFBF below.
American Farm Bureau Federation’s Cost for a “Classic” Thanksgiving Dinner in 2022:
- 16-pound turkey: $28.96 or $1.81 per pound (up 21%)
- 14-oz bag of cubed stuffing mix: $3.88 (up 69%)
- 2 frozen pie crusts: $3.68 (up 26%)
- Half pint of whipping cream: $2.24 (up 26%)
- 1 pound of frozen peas: $1.90 (up 23%)
- 1 dozen dinner rolls: $3.73 (up 22%)
- Misc. ingredients to prepare the meal: $4.13 (up 20%)
- 30-oz can of pumpkin pie mix: $4.28 (up 18%)
- 1 gallon of whole milk: $3.84 (up 16%)
- 3 pounds of sweet potatoes: $3.96 (up 11%)
- 1-pound veggie tray (carrots & celery): $0.88 cents (up 8%)
- 12-oz bag of fresh cranberries: $2.57 (down 14%)
For the expanded meal, which includes the classic meal plus ham, green beans, and Russet potatoes, the AFBF’s average cost reached $88.55, up 18% from last year.
Farm Bureau volunteer shoppers check meal prices from October 18-31, a few weeks before most grocery stores begin running sale promotions for whole, frozen turkeys.
Our Smart Shopper team took the AFBF’s “classic” Thanksgiving Dinner and modified it to include prices for the following nine items at Fry’s, Bashas’, and Albertsons.
- 16-pound turkey
- 2 boxes of stuffing mix
- 1 pre-made pie
- 1 dozen dinner rolls
- 1 gallon of whole milk
- 3 pounds of sweet potatoes
- 10 pounds of potatoes
- 4 cans of mixed vegetables (green beans)
- 14-oz can of cranberries
We compared each store’s weekly sales flyer for the week of November 16-24 and looked at online sales, digital coupons, Insta-cart prices, as well as loyalty program prices. Prices may vary at the actual store when you go shopping, so be sure to register for loyalty programs, and check coupon expiration dates before you start holiday food shopping.
FRY’S
- 16-pound turkey: $0.79/pound x 16 pounds = $12.64
- Kroger Whole Frozen Turkey without Gravy. Limit one per customer at the sale price.
- 2 boxes of stuffing mix: $4
- 1 pre-made pie: $4.99
- 1 dozen dinner rolls: $2.49
- 1 gallon of whole milk: $3.59
- 3 pounds of sweet potatoes: $0.99 x 3 = $2.97
- Sweet potatoes are listed at $0.99 per unit at Fry’s. For this story, we calculated one sweet potato = one pound.
- 10 pounds of potatoes: $2.99 x 2 = $5.98
- 4 cans of mixed vegetables (green beans): $0.89 x 4 = $3.56
- 14-oz can of cranberries: $1.50
Smart Shopper Total at Fry’s: $41.72
BASHAS’
Note: Bashas’ food prices are not individually listed on their website.We used Bashas’ sales flyer for the week of November 16-24, 2022 to calculate Thanksgiving deals. For the sweet potatoes and one gallon of whole milk, we looked at Instacart prices, which are noted to be different from in-store prices. Check with your local Bashas’ retailer for the most accurate price.
- 16-pound turkey: $0.79/pound x 16 pounds = $12.64
- Frozen Grade A turkeys Norbest Turkeys, ‘Thank You Card’ price is $0.79 a pound.
- 2 boxes of stuffing mix: $1.49 x 2 = $2.98
- Kraft Stove Top Stuffing Mix is $1.99 with the ‘Thank You Card’ price. It is $1.49 with a digital coupon taking $0.50 off.
- Kraft Stove Top with digital coupon. Limit two per customer.
- 1 pre-made pie: $4.99
- 8-Inch Pumpkin Pie with ‘Thank You Card’ price.
- 1 dozen dinner rolls: $2.99
- 4.25 oz or Sara Lee Sweet Hawaiian Rolls 15 oz are listed at $2.99 with the ‘Thank You Card’ price.
- 1 gallon of whole milk: $3.79
- Insta-cart price: Bashas' Whole Milk, 1 gallon for $3.79. Prices may differ in-store.
- 3 pounds of sweet potatoes: $1.89 x 3 = $5.67
- Insta-cart price: Sweet Potato (yams) are listed at $1.89/pound. Prices may differ in-store.
- 10 pounds of potatoes: $2.99
- Idaho potatoes, 10-pound bag, $2.99 with a $2 digital coupon. ‘Thank You Card’ price is $4.99 per bag. Limit one per customer.
- 4 cans of mixed vegetables (green beans): $0.88 x 4 = $3.52
- Libby's Vegetables are listed at $0.88 with Bashas’ ‘Thank You Card’ price.
- 14-oz can of cranberries: $2.79
- Insta-cart price: Ocean Spray Cranberry Sauce, Whole Berry 14 oz can of cranberry sauce is listed at $2.79. Prices may differ in-store.
Smart Shopper Total at Bashas’: $42.36
ALBERTSONS. NOTE: This promo is based on national ads and may vary by location
- 16-pound turkey: $1.79/pound x 16 pounds = $28.64
- Signature Farms Whole Turkey Frozen, $1.79/pound
- Want a free turkey or discounted Turkey at Albertsons? Spend $100 in a single transaction for a free turkey, up to 20 pounds. With a $50 minimum purchase, Signature Farms or Honeysuckle White Whole Turkey is $0.49/pound up to 20 pounds. Limit one per customer.
- 2 boxes of stuffing mix: $5.00
- 1 pre-made pie: $5.00
- 1 dozen dinner rolls: $2.49
- Kings Hawaiian Original Sweet Rolls, 12 oz are listed at a sale price of $3.99. To get this price, we used a digital coupon that offers another $1.50 off, bringing the price down to $2.49.
- 1 gallon of whole milk: $3.39
- 3 pounds of sweet potatoes: $0.77 x 3 = $2.31
- 10 pounds of potatoes: $0.98 x 2 = $1.96
- 4 cans of mixed vegetables (green beans): $0.69 x 4 = $2.76
- 14-oz can of cranberries: $2.29
Smart Shopper Total at Albertsons: $53.84