Annual Thanksgiving Dinner Cost Survey

The Department of Agriculture’s 40th Annual Survey revealed that the average cost of a traditional Thanksgiving dinner for ten people is $55.18, which is a 5% decrease from last year.

Despite claims from the administration that rising prices were “temporary” and largely due to brief supply shocks, the situation worsened the following year; what became known as “Bidenflation” saw Thanksgiving meal prices soar by another 20%, reaching $64.05.

This year’s drop in costs can be attributed to a significant decline in turkey prices. The average cost for a 16-pound turkey is projected to be $21.50, a 16% decrease from 2024, according to AFB.

Additionally, three items from the AFB menu—diced stuffing, fresh cranberries, and dinner rolls—are seeing price reductions. However, some food items like sweet potatoes, frozen green peas, and various vegetables have increased in price, with milk and heavy cream also rising in cost. On a different note, prices for pumpkin pie mix and pie shells have mostly remained stable since 2024.

Even with the recent price declines, food expenses have not yet bounced back to pre-inflation levels that characterized earlier this year.