Thanksgiving dinner may cost Utah families less this year than last year, though holiday meal prices in the western United States are still among the highest in the nation. The average cost of a traditional holiday meal for 10 people in Utah this year is $61.75, according to the American Farm Bureau Federation’s annual Thanksgiving dinner survey.
Nationwide, the survey found the average cost of a Thanksgiving feast to be $55.18, or about $5.52 per person. That equates to a 5% decrease from 2024, marking a third straight year of declines in holiday meal costs since record-high prices in 2022.
The Farm Bureau’s shopping list for the survey includes enough turkey, stuffing, sweet potatoes, rolls, peas, cranberries, a veggie tray and pumpkin pie with whipped create to serve 10 people.
A key factor in bringing down the overall cost of a Thanksgiving meal this year was a drop in the price of turkey. According to the Farm Bureau, while the wholesale price of fresh turkey has risen this year, stores are offering Thanksgiving deals, with the average price of a 16-pound frozen turkey down by 16% at $21.50.
“It’s encouraging to see some relief in the price of turkeys, as it is typically the most expensive part of the meal,” said AFBF Economist Faith Parum in a press release.
According to Parum, while farmers are still working to rebuild turkey flocks impacted by avian influenza, overall demand has also fallen, making turkey a more affordable option for families celebrating Thanksgiving this year.
Some grocery stores are offering holiday meal packages through Dec. 25 to make Thanksgiving and Christmas meal shopping simpler and, in some cases, cheaper.
Walmart is offering a Thanksgiving meal basket with food for 10 people for just under $40. People can buy the full meal deal, which includes about 20 items, or curate it to meet their family’s needs.
This year the company has expanded its offerings to include a gluten-free Thanksgiving meal, a high protein option and a prime rib meal basket.
Macey's is offering a Thanksgiving meal kit for $50 designed to feed eight people. It includes ingredients for turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, sweet yam casserole, rolls and pie.